This volume serves as a comprehensive bibliographic reference tool designed to track and categorize the vast body of explicatory criticism surrounding English literature. The author, Christian J. W. Kloesel, compiles extensive data to assist scholars and students in locating specific critical analyses of canonical and non-canonical English texts. By organizing these references, the work provides a structured framework for navigating the complex landscape of literary scholarship published during the period covered.

This text is regarded as a specialized resource for academic libraries and researchers focused on the history of literary criticism. Its utility lies in its rigorous organization and the breadth of its bibliographic coverage, making it a standard reference for those conducting deep archival research in English studies.