If you find this second-hand and cheap, as I did, buy it: there's no other author I know who has read so much modern literature IN THE ORIGINAL which in my book gives him great cred: I use the book to read up on anything modern written before the 80s, when this was published. ( )

Superb survey of world fiction of the 20th Century because Seymour Smith has read it all and presents very subjective, strong opinions which are a refreshing change from the namby-pamby resources available with none of the breadth. He includes Islamic, Catalan, African and Asian literature, as well as references to drama and poetry and politics. ( )

This amazing encylopedia of 20th century authors reveals the breadth of Seymour-Smith's reading. Broken down by nationality, full of entertaining dismissals and praise. It's one of those books very hard to put down. ( )