as far as anthologies go, i greatly approve of the norton anthology of theory and criticism. it is really quite inclusive - well naturally there are omissions, but that is the expected shortcoming of any anthology - the selection is sufficient to go on (here's the content page from the norton website. and the headnotes are clear, judicious, and - this what i like best - manage to convey the editors' regard of their subject. lovely little critical essays, really, and not the usual unhelpful and pedantic introductions in anthologies of these sorts.