On American Books: A Symposium By Five American Critics (1920)

By Francis Hackett

Book Overview

On American Books: A Symposium By Five American Critics (1920) is a collection of essays by five prominent American literary critics: Francis Hackett, Randolph Bourne, Carl Van Doren, Van Wyck Brooks, and Lewis Mumford. The book was published in the aftermath of World War I, at a time when American literature was undergoing a significant shift towards modernism. The essays in the book reflect this shift, as the critics discuss the works of modernist writers such as T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound, and Sherwood Anderson.The book is divided into five sections, each of which is dedicated to one of the critics. Hackett's section includes essays on the works of James Branch Cabell and Sinclair Lewis, as well as a discussion of the role of the critic in American literature. Bourne's section focuses on the works of H.L. Mencken and Theodore Dreiser, and includes an essay on the relationship between literature and democracy. Van Doren's section includes essays on the poetry of Robert Frost and the novels of Edith Wharton, among others. Brooks' section includes essays on the works of Henry James and Walt Whitman, as well as a discussion of the influence of Puritanism on American literature. Mumford's section includes essays on the works of Sherwood Anderson and Willa Cather, as well as a discussion of the role of the artist in society.Overall, On American Books: A Symposium By Five American Critics (1920) provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of American literature in the early 20th century, and the critical debates that were taking place at the time. It is a must-read for anyone interested in American literature and literary criticism.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1163928771
• ISBN13: 9781163928776
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 6.0" x 9.0"