More than any other writer, Gertrude Stein reflects the 20th century revolt from the fine arts. Like her friends Braque and Picasso, she broke with convention to let medium triumph over subject. This anthology presents the best and most accessible of her startling creative achievements including "What is English Literature" and "What Are Master Pieces and Why are There so Few of Them"; "Portraits" of Henry James, Picasso and Matisse; two long stories, two short plays and her poem "Before the Flowers of Friendship Faded", amongst many other important pieces.