A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man — James Joyce's Modernist Bildungsroman A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man James Joyce's 1916 novel follows Stephen Dedalus from childhood to artistic exile, pioneering interior narration and exploring identity, religion, nationality, and the creative imp…
A Quiet Place in the Country — 1968 psychological thriller by Elio Petri A Quiet Place in the Country 1968 French–Italian psychological thriller directed by Elio Petri, starring Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero, adapted from Oliver Onions's story; noted for its atmosphere and ambig…
A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry’s 1959 play about the Younger family, a Black household in Chicago confronting poverty, race, and competing dreams after receiving a life insurance payment.
A Rush of Blood to the Head Second studio album by Coldplay, released 26 August 2002. Noted for piano-driven songs, emotional lyrics, and international commercial and critical success with singles like "Clock…
A Series of Unfortunate Events A darkly comic thirteen-book children's series by Lemony Snicket (pen name of Daniel Handler) about the Baudelaire orphans, their guardian Count Olaf, and a narrative voice that mi…
A Song of Ice and Fire An epic fantasy series by George R. R. Martin that began in 1991, noted for multiple viewpoints, political intrigue, and a wide cultural impact including the HBO adaptation Game of…
A Storm of Swords (third novel in A Song of Ice and Fire) A Storm of Swords Third book in George R. R. Martin's fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, published 2000. Noted for complex plotting, multiple point-of-view chapters and several shocking narrativ…
A Study in Scarlet — Arthur Conan Doyle’s first Sherlock Holmes novel A Study in Scarlet A Study in Scarlet (1887) is Arthur Conan Doyle’s debut Sherlock Holmes novel. It introduces Holmes and Dr. Watson, outlines the detective method, and established themes that shape…
A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings A short story by Gabriel García Márquez that exemplifies magical realism. First published in 1955, it explores faith, cruelty, wonder, and the everyday treatment of the supernatura…
A Vindication of the Rights of Woman Mary Wollstonecraft's 1792 treatise advocating education and moral agency for women, its arguments, context, reception, and influence on later movements for women's rights.
A Weekend in the City (Bloc Party album) A Weekend in the City A Weekend in the City is Bloc Party's second studio album, released in February 2007. Produced by Jacknife Lee, it explores urban life, social tensions and personal dislocation wit…
A Wizard of Earthsea — novel by Ursula K. Le Guin A Wizard of Earthsea A Wizard of Earthsea (1968) is Ursula K. Le Guin's first Earthsea novel. A coming-of-age fantasy about the wizard Ged, it introduced a poetic magic of true names and a morally comp…
A-Sides — Soundgarden compilation album A-Sides A-Sides is a 1997 compilation by Soundgarden collecting the band's most notable singles and album tracks from their thirteen-year career, issued by A&M Records as an overview for l…
Aaliyah (2001 album) Aaliyah (album) Third and final studio album released during Aaliyah's lifetime; noted for innovative R&B production, strong critical reception, and its association with the artist's untimely deat…
Abacab (Genesis album) Abacab Abacab is Genesis's 1981 studio album that signalled a shift from extended progressive pieces to shorter, rhythm-driven songs with synthesizers and pop sensibilities.
Abbey Road (Beatles album) Abbey Road Abbey Road is a 1969 studio album by the Beatles, noted for its medley on side two, iconic cover photo at Abbey Road Studios, and enduring influence on rock music.
ABC (song) — The Jackson 5 ABC (song) 1970 single by the Jackson 5; lead single from their second album 'ABC'. A Motown pop‑soul hit written by The Corporation that reached number one on the US charts and became a sign…
AbiWord: lightweight open-source word processor AbiWord AbiWord is a free, open-source word processor known for a small footprint, cross-platform availability, and a focus on basic word-processing features, plugins, and compatibility wi…
Abnormally Attracted to Sin (Tori Amos album) Abnormally Attracted to Sin Tenth solo studio album by Tori Amos, released May 19, 2009. A piano-centered record recorded in Cornwall that explores themes of faith, family and identity with alternative-pop ar…
Absolution (Muse album) Absolution (album) Absolution is the third studio album by British rock band Muse, released in 2003. Noted for cinematic arrangements, political and apocalyptic themes, and several international sing…
Ace Attorney (Gyakuten Saiban): courtroom adventure visual novel series Ace Attorney Ace Attorney (Gyakuten Saiban) is a courtroom-focused visual novel series by Capcom. Players investigate crime scenes, gather evidence and defend clients in dramatic trial sequence…
Ace Frehley (1978 album) Ace Frehley (album) Debut solo record by Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, issued Sept 18, 1978 as one of four simultaneous solo releases. Known for the hit single “New York Groove” and often praised as the…
Achtung Baby Achtung Baby (1991) is U2's seventh studio album, a deliberate reinvention that mixed alternative rock, electronic textures and dance rhythms. It produced several major singles and…
Across the Universe (song by the Beatles) Across the Universe A contemplative song written by John Lennon and credited to Lennon–McCartney, first recorded by the Beatles in 1968 and released on the Let It Be album; noted for its imagery, medi…
Action Comics Action Comics is an American comic book series best known for introducing Superman in 1938. It helped establish the modern superhero and remains one of the longest-running titles i…
Action figure: poseable character figurines and their cultural role Action figure Action figures are poseable character figurines, often licensed from media franchises. Used for play and collecting, they vary by scale, articulation, materials and market, with no…
Action role-playing game (Action RPG) Action role-playing game A video game genre that combines real-time action gameplay with character progression and role-playing systems, emphasizing combat, loot, and player-driven growth.
Acts of the Apostles A New Testament book narrating the origins and expansion of the early Christian movement, its leaders, themes, and traditional as well as scholarly views on authorship and dating.
Adagio for Strings A concise overview of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings: its origin, musical character, history of performance, arrangements, cultural uses and critical reception.
Adam Parfrey: publisher, editor, and chronicler of fringe culture Adam Parfrey Adam Parfrey (1957–2018) was an American editor and publisher best known for founding Feral House and for bringing controversial, marginal, and little-known texts into print for wi…
Adriana Lecouvreur: Cilea's enduring lyric drama Adriana Lecouvreur Adriana Lecouvreur is an Italian four‑act opera by Francesco Cilea with a libretto by Arturo Colautti, first performed in Milan in 1902. It remains Cilea's best‑known work and a st…
Advance Australia Fair — origins, adoption, and cultural significance Advance Australia Fair Overview of 'Advance Australia Fair', the official national anthem of Australia: its origins, composer, history of use, adoption after the 1977 plebiscite, and its role in ceremoni…
Advance Wars (Game Boy Advance) Advance Wars Advance Wars is a tactical, turn-based strategy video game for the Game Boy Advance. It emphasizes unit positioning, terrain, and resource management and spawned a well-regarded se…
Adventure fiction: definition, history, and key characteristics Adventure fiction Overview of adventure fiction: its defining features, historical development, common subgenres, and why these fast‑paced, risk‑driven stories remain popular.
Adventures in Odyssey A long-running family radio drama and comedy series produced by Focus on the Family, blending storytelling, humor, and Christian-themed moral lessons set in the fictional town of O…
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn A novel by Mark Twain published in 1884, following Huck Finn’s river journey. Noted for its vernacular voice, moral coming-of-age, satire, and ongoing debate over race and language…
AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills AFI's 100 Years... 100 Thrills A concise encyclopedic overview of AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills (2001), the American Film Institute's list celebrating the 100 most thrilling films in American cinema, its selecti…
African Sanctus — David Fanshawe's choral work blending Mass and African field recordings African Sanctus African Sanctus (1972) by David Fanshawe juxtaposes the Latin Mass with field recordings made along the Nile, scored for choir, soloists, orchestra and prerecorded tape.
After: meanings, grammar, history, and common uses After Overview of the English word "after": its grammatical roles (preposition, conjunction, adverb), origins, common expressions, examples, and distinctions from related words.
The Afternoon of a Faun (Nijinsky) Afternoon of a Faun (Nijinsky) Nijinsky's 1912 ballet set to Debussy's Prélude, inspired by Mallarmé. A landmark of modern dance noted for its stylized choreography, Bakst's designs, a scandalous ending, and con…
Against (preposition, adverb, adjective; uses and history) Against Common English preposition meaning in opposition, contact, comparison, or prevention; also appears in idioms, legal and sports usage. Overview of senses, grammar, history, and usag…
Against All Odds (N-Dubz album) Against All Odds is the second studio album by British group N-Dubz, released in Ireland on 13 Nov 2009 and in the UK on 16 Nov 2009. It continued their blend of hip hop, R&B and p…
Against the Grain — Bad Religion (1990 album) Against the Grain Against the Grain is the fifth studio album by Bad Religion, released in 1990 on Epitaph. It reinforced their melodic hardcore sound, bridged earlier records and the band's later m…
Age Ain't Nothing But a Number (Aaliyah album) Age Ain't Nothing But a Number Debut studio album by Aaliyah (1994). Produced largely by R. Kelly, it introduced her blend of 1990s R&B, hip hop and new jack swing and launched her into mainstream success.
Age of Empires III Age of Empires III is a 2005 real-time strategy game by Ensemble Studios and Microsoft, set in the early modern era; it introduced new mechanics, expansions, and a later Definitive…
Agent 47 — profile of the Hitman series' protagonist Agent 47 Agent 47 is the genetically engineered assassin and central figure of the Hitman franchise, known for his barcode tattoo, black suit, mastery of disguise, and role in shaping steal…
Ai Yori Aoshi Ai Yori Aoshi is a romantic seinen manga by Kou Fumizuki that spawned an anime, a sequel season, English releases and video game adaptations during the early 2000s.
Aida (opera) Aida Aida, an Italian opera by Giuseppe Verdi premiered in Cairo in 1871. A grand four-act drama set in ancient Egypt, celebrated for its choruses, pageantry and powerful arias.
