History of American Literature vs The Gift: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Literary Criticism, Nonfiction

Cover of History of American Literature

History of American Literature Reuben Post Halleck · 1911 ★★★★☆ 3.8 316 pages · ≈ 5 h 51 m · Demanding Find on Amazon

vs

Cover of The Gift

The Gift Lewis Hyde · 1983 ★★★★☆ 3.9 338 pages · ≈ 6 h 16 m · Challenging Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.8 vs 3.9 — either is a safe pick by score.
The Gift is the easier read (Challenging), History of American Literature more demanding (Demanding).

Side by side