The textbook outlines the history of American literature from the 17th century to the present. The book is built on the problem-monographic principle: chapters and sections characterizing different periods, directions, currents are combined with chapters on the work of the largest writers, where the analysis of works is given in a historical and cultural context. Bibliographic lists are given at the end of each chapter. The selection of works was carried out in accordance with the programs in the disciplines "History of Foreign Literature" and "Literature of the Country of the Language Studied" operating in pedagogical and language universities.