"Past and Present" contains a range of British and American literary texts arranged in chronological order from the Anglo-Saxon period to the 20th century. The texts have been chosen to show the rich diversity of English literature from early verse such as the "Battle of Maldon" to the Romantic poets, from the diaries of Pepys to the novel. Background and biographical information is integrated into the book to enable the reader to see each text in its historical context and there are glossaries to help students with the more complicated and archaic language. A supplementary section is included with additional texts and material which can be used according to the needs and interests of students and teachers. The accompanying exercises are designed to further appreciation of the texts by showing how the different features of style and language work together to create the whole. A cassette tape is also available which contains readings of selected texts by professional actors to enhance students' enjoyment of the texts.