The first 300 pages of the guide includes essays that chart the history of literature in Great Britain. These essays cover a fairly wide range of topics, and give some general insight into the Britain's various movements and figures. Some essay titles include:

1. Political history and sociel context (1066-present day)
2. Contemporary approaches to literature
F.R. Leavis and evaluation
Saussure and Structuralism... etc.
3. Medieval English literature
A context for medeval english literature
Medieval english lyrics
Narrative poetry... etc
11. Enlightenment, Sensibility and Romanticism: poetry 1660-1830

The last 700 pages include individual entries for titles, writers, characters and events. Example of entries:
Aaron Abbey Theatre, Dublin Abel
Abigail Abse, Dannie Absurd, Theatre of the
Acrostic Achebe, Chinua Act

An example of an entry:
Clerihew
A lightweight epigram, usually in four lines of varying length, so called afterits inventor E. Clerihew Bentley. For example:
Alfred de Musset
called his cat 'pusset'
His accent was affected --
That was to be expected.

This reference book is great if you, like me, often forget what a particular character or concept is about. The entries include references to other related entries, so all those related ideas are at your fingertips. Presumes sufficient knowledge of English Literature, and is probably only useful to a certain kind of interest in.

The "Guide to English Literature" is a must have for any literature student's ready reference. I personally keep mine on my desk where I can get it easily.

The guide gives you information on the major movers and shakers in English Literature as well as the great movements, works, and figures (maybe not literary, but important...like kings). While preparing for the GRE Literature in English test, I have been using this book to get a good background on the great writers. At the end of each entry, there is a small bibliography which will give you a headstart in further research should you choose to do so.

I would recommend having this book on your personal shelf for your reference. It will help you establish a bigger picture of where writers and movements have taken place and who they have affected.