
Placing A Separate Peace by John Knowles in its historical context, the author examines how this work evolved and how its popularity can be attributed to its universal theme - the intangible loss and shame that accompany growing up.

Bryant draws on a close examination of John Knowles's original manuscript to present the only book-length analysis of A Separate Peace (1960). He places the book in its historical context - America during the World War II years - and explains how it evolved from the author's...