Book excerpt: This broad examination of women writers identified with Great Britain builds on its predecessor's strengths, with fifty percent new material as well as completely updated entries. Over 600 writers are discussed in terms of their biographies, with precise details where these could be ascertained and in some cases correcting biographies in other reference works, as well as thematic issues and critical reception. Each entry includes a definitive bibliography of primary works and thorough secondary bibliographies (including book-length studies, reference works, major essays and reviews) to lead readers to other sources. Available in paperback for the first time, this book is an ideal desk reference for scholar and student alike.