Although best known for his novels, James Joyce also wrote extensively on the subjects of cultural history, literature, politics, and censorship. This compilation highlights some of the Irish author's best nonfiction, featuring newspaper and magazine articles, essays, and transcriptions of lectures. Many of these selections, which offer insights into the development of Joyce's distinctive literary voice, are studied in schools around the world.

Writings on the culture and heritage of Ireland include "Today and Tomorrow in Ireland," "The Soul of Ireland," "Ireland: Island of Saints and Sages," and "The Irish Literary Renaissance." Critical writings on literature reflect Joyce's influences from "Oscar Wilde: The Poet of 'Salomé'" to "Ibsen's New Drama" and "The Centenary of Charles Dickens." Additional selections include "The Study of Languages," "An Irish Poet," "The Shade of Parnell," "On the Moral Right of Authors," and other enlightening articles.