Biography
A biography is an account of a person's life from birth to death. The biography focuses on the individual, and often also discusses the development of the writer, with stylistic characteristics and influences.
Virginia Woolf's Nose -- Essays on Biography
The individual moments of a person's life are lost forever when one dies--all we often have left is a jumble of images and anecdotes, filtered through the perceptions and memories of family members, friends, and others. But, for a biographer, sifting through these mounds of contradictory life-time evidence reveals gaps and holes in any knowledge we can claim to have about a life. What can we really know about another life? In this collection, Hermione Lee discusses the nature of biography.
The individual moments of a person's life are lost forever when one dies--all we often have left is a jumble of images and anecdotes, filtered through the perceptions and memories of family members, friends, and others. But, for a biographer, sifting through these mounds of contradictory life-time evidence reveals gaps and holes in any knowledge we can claim to have about a life. What can we really know about another life? In this collection, Hermione Lee discusses the nature of biography.
Virginia Woolf's Nose - Essays on Biography
The individual moments of a person's life are lost forever when one dies--all we often have left is a jumble of images and anecdotes, filtered through the perceptions and memories of family members, friends, and others. But, for a biographer, sifting through these mounds of contradictory life-time evidence reveals gaps and holes in any knowledge we can claim to have about a life. What can we really know about another life? And, what pieces of the past fall through the cracks?
The individual moments of a person's life are lost forever when one dies--all we often have left is a jumble of images and anecdotes, filtered through the perceptions and memories of family members, friends, and others. But, for a biographer, sifting through these mounds of contradictory life-time evidence reveals gaps and holes in any knowledge we can claim to have about a life. What can we really know about another life? And, what pieces of the past fall through the cracks?
Sidetracks: Explorations of a Romantic Biographer
"To be sidetracked is, after all, to be led astray by a path or an idea, a scent or a tune, and maybe lost forever. But no true biographer would mind that, if he can take a few readers with him." And so, we are introduced to the theme of the work--soon to be reeled into the mysteries of Romantic writers, whose footprints have somewhat faded with time. Read more about the explorations of a Romantic biographer.
"To be sidetracked is, after all, to be led astray by a path or an idea, a scent or a tune, and maybe lost forever. But no true biographer would mind that, if he can take a few readers with him." And so, we are introduced to the theme of the work--soon to be reeled into the mysteries of Romantic writers, whose footprints have somewhat faded with time. Read more about the explorations of a Romantic biographer.
Books About Biographers
A biographer must capture the story of an entire life in just a few hundred pages. He/she must overcome all of the uncertainty and ambiguity that surrounds the life and death of the great (or not so great) writer--to fashion a coherent snapshot of a life. How does a biographer accomplish the task? How does he/she circumnavigate the myths and unreality to get at the truth, even when a great span of time has passed? Read about a few great biographers and their art.
A biographer must capture the story of an entire life in just a few hundred pages. He/she must overcome all of the uncertainty and ambiguity that surrounds the life and death of the great (or not so great) writer--to fashion a coherent snapshot of a life. How does a biographer accomplish the task? How does he/she circumnavigate the myths and unreality to get at the truth, even when a great span of time has passed? Read about a few great biographers and their art.
Arthur Miller: His Life and Works
In his newest biography, award-winning Martin Gottfried explores the life and works of Arthur Miller, a controversial figure in American theater. With more than 400 books, articles and theses written about just one of Miller's plays, Gottfried discusses why Miller's plays have been as popular as they've been hotly debated.
In his newest biography, award-winning Martin Gottfried explores the life and works of Arthur Miller, a controversial figure in American theater. With more than 400 books, articles and theses written about just one of Miller's plays, Gottfried discusses why Miller's plays have been as popular as they've been hotly debated.
J.R.R. Tolkien: Author of the Century
J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the most important writers of the 20th century. He is recognized for "The Lord of the Rings," a three-volume novel cycle, and for "The Hobbit," a children's book published in 1937.
J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the most important writers of the 20th century. He is recognized for "The Lord of the Rings," a three-volume novel cycle, and for "The Hobbit," a children's book published in 1937.
Professor and the Madman
The "Oxford English Dictionary" is one of the greatest achievements in English literature, but it didn't happen overnight. In "Professor and the Madman," Simon Winchester delves into the mysterious history of this great text.
The "Oxford English Dictionary" is one of the greatest achievements in English literature, but it didn't happen overnight. In "Professor and the Madman," Simon Winchester delves into the mysterious history of this great text.
Singular Mark Twain, The
With "The Singular Mark Twain," Fred Kaplan offers a new perspective to the oft-told tales of Mark Twain's life and works. Although biographers have long navigated the ambiguous and misleading labyrinth of Twain's life and works, Kaplan draws from new research and previously unavailable source materials to create a ground-breaking critical biography.
With "The Singular Mark Twain," Fred Kaplan offers a new perspective to the oft-told tales of Mark Twain's life and works. Although biographers have long navigated the ambiguous and misleading labyrinth of Twain's life and works, Kaplan draws from new research and previously unavailable source materials to create a ground-breaking critical biography.
Yeats's Ghosts: The Secret Life of W.B. Yeats
Ghosts are usually thought of as scary apparitions to be avoided. For William Butler Yeats, ghosts took on many forms. They were more than just myths or legends. Despite the many frauds he'd met, he still believed in ghosts and he wanted answers!
Ghosts are usually thought of as scary apparitions to be avoided. For William Butler Yeats, ghosts took on many forms. They were more than just myths or legends. Despite the many frauds he'd met, he still believed in ghosts and he wanted answers!