This book is the most comprehensive guide to Chaucer's work and the history of its reception available. It comprises 37 specially commissioned chapters by an outstanding team of contemporary Chaucer scholars and combines general essays offering background and contextual information with detailed readings of specific Chaucerian texts.

The volume is divided into five parts - 'Historical Contexts', 'Literary Contexts', 'Readings', 'Afterlife' and 'Study Resources'. Each chaper includes a Guide to Further Reading and there is a Chronology at the end of the volume.
The Guide is accompanied by a companion web site which includes four additional contributions for teachers and lecturers on teaching and learning issues related to Chaucer.