Ancestors
The Twentieth Century
R.H. Blyth, Zen in English Literature and Oriental Classics (Hokuseido Press, 1942), Haiku, Volumes 1-4 (Hokuseido Press, 1949-1952), Zen and Zen Classics, Volumes 1-5 (Hokuseido Press, 1960-1966)These are all out of print but often available in libraries
Isabel Stirling, Zen Pioneer: The Life and Works of Ruth Fuller Sasaki (Shoemaker & Hoard, 2006)
A biography of one of the greatest pioneers who helped transmit koan Zen to the West. Fuller Sasaki was responsible for the single most important book on Rinzai Zen, Zen Dust (out of print).
Soen Nakagawa, Endless Vow (Shambhala Publications, 1996)
One of the most brilliant and original of the Japanese teachers who helped transmit koan Zen to the West. Edited by Kazuaki Tanahashi.
Nyogen Senzaki, Like a Dream, Like a Fantasy (Wisdom Publications, 2005)
"Fearless and free-thinking, Nyogen Senzaki was the first great Buddhist teacher to immerse himself fully and without reservation in American life"--Melvin McLeod. Edited by Kazuaki Tanahashi and Roko Sherry Chayat.
Nyogen Senzaki, Eloquent Silence (Wisdom Publications, 2008)
Senzaki's translation of the Gateless Gate and other previously unpublished teachings and letters. Edited by Roko Sherry Chayat.
Roko Sherry Chayat (editor), Subtle Sound: The Zen Teachings of Maurine Stuart (Shambhala Publications, 1996)
A pioneering American koan teacher in Soen Nakagawa's line
Japanese Zen
Trevor Leggett, The Warrior Koans: Early Zen in Japan (Arkana, 1985)How koan Zen developed in medieval Japan among the samurai class, including women.
Chinese Chan
Bhikshu, C.C., Sun Face Buddha: The Teachings of Ma-tsu and the Hung-chou School of Ch'an (Asian Humanities Press, 1993)A study of Mazu, Great Master Ma, and translations of his teachings
John Blofeld, The Zen Teaching of Huang Po: On the Transmission of Mind (Grove Press, 1958)
The teachings of Huangbo
Burton Watson (translator), The Zen Teachings of Master Lin-chi (Shambhala Publications, 1993)
A translation of The Record of Linji, pronounced Rinzai in Japanese
James Green (translator), The Recorded Sayings of Zen Master Joshu (Shambhala Publications, 1998)
A translation of The Record of Zhaozhou, pronounced Joshu in Japanese
Urs App (translator), Master Yunmen (Kodansha, 1994)
A translation of the Record of Yunmen
Thomas Cleary (translator), The Original Face: An Anthology of Rinzai Zen (Grove Press, 1978)
Various teachers and teachings of the Linji Chan tradition