Who was Herman Melville, and for which work is he most widely known? Herman Melville was a great American novelist, with an epic novel about a whale (although Moby Dick wasn't recognized as a masterpiece until decades after Melville's death). His other works include: "Pierre," "The Confidence-Man," "Typee," and "Bartleby, the Scrivener." Discover the facts of Herman Melville's life: his friendships, tragedies, and more. Read more about this American master.
1. Melville: His World and Works
by Andrew Delbanco. Knopf Publishing Group. In this book, the progression of Herman Melville's literary development is explored, along with the fascinating facts of his life: his marriage, his friendships, his tragedies, his disappointments, and ultimately his legacy in words that still cannot fail to capture our imaginations.
2. Herman Melville
by Newton Arvin. Grove. In Herman Melville, Newton Arvin discusses the life and adventures of the American writer best-known for Moby Dick. The book follows Melville's early voyages at sea, and then discusses this writer's works: "Typee," "Omoo," "Bartleby the Scrivener," "Billy Budd," and Moby Dick. Arvin discusses the misunderstood Herman Melville.3. Herman Melville: A Penguin Life
by Elizabeth Hardwick. Penguin Group. Elizabeth Hardwick explores "the challenging shape" of Herman Melville's life and genius. Read more about Herman Melville, Moby Dick and the rest of the story.4. Melville: A Biography
by Laurie Robertson-Lorant. University of Massachusetts Press. In this biography, Laurie Robertson-Lorant draws from family letters and other materials to depict the complexity of Herman Melville's life, along with the women, children, acquaintences, debt, alcholism, and failure.