INSCRIBING THE DAILY: CRITICAL ESSAYS ON WOMEN'S DIARIES, ed. Suzanne L. Bunkers and Cynthia A. Huff (1996).  This book contains a lengthy critical introduction on the study of diaries as critical discourse.  Following the introduction are fifteen essays that explore the rich texture of women's diaries written in America and Europe over the past two centuries.  Visit the University of Massachusetts' web site to order a copy of this book in cloth or paperback edition:

http://www.umass.edu/umpress/