I have recently written a novel about life in England during the Second World War. I felt some concern before I tackled this theme — the War...
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Alan Hirshfeld is our best popularizer of science these days, more insightful and accomplished than Dava Sobel or Amir Aczel. He has a flawless instinct for what are the most important controversies and people that created the scientific world we live in, as well as a mastery of the techniques of fiction which can be used to enrich non-fiction.
The discoveries of Faraday and Clerk Maxwell (who is also covered in this book) should be understood by all educated people. These men created the modern profession of theoretical physicist, culminating in the almost miraculous discovery of a question that had troubled everyone from Thales to Galileo: What is light?
I would also give highest recommendation Hirshfeld's 'Parallax: the Race to Measure the Cosmos'.
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(4 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)
Books on literary theory multiply like rabbits, each generation more turgid and depressing than the last.
This is the great exception. The best book on literature I've ever seen. Brooks & Ransome never generalize, never bloviate. Instead they provide concrete examples and thoroughly insightful explanations of the most subtle techniques of poetry.
I've seen some later writers on literature try to dismiss this book as out-of-date. Don't believe them.
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(4 of 5 readers found this comment helpful)
This is more a book on literary theory than a book which will help you to write better. The author states this up front about the first chapter, but the theorizing continues till the end of the book.
Gardner talks about specific works of fiction, but at a very high level, withoug including many extracts. He draws distinctions based only on the name of an author; often no particular book or passage is cited.
Gardner should have included a list of books that should be read and well understood before tackling 'The Art of Fiction'. A reader can be well-read, but still not have any way of knowing what Gardner is talking about.
I gave this only two stars, because I personally don't like literary theory that isn't concrete.
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(7 of 14 readers found this comment helpful)
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a reader has commented on (7) products.
The Story of Life by Richard Southwood
a reader, June 26, 2007
I'm not sure why I enjoyed this volume so much, but it was one of the most fascinating reads of my life.It's just a grand view of the entire history of life, full of brilliant discovery, impenetrable mystery, and inescapable self-examination.
Good pictures, too.
(2 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
The Electric Life of Michael Faraday by Alan W Hirshfeld
a reader, June 26, 2007
Alan Hirshfeld is our best popularizer of science these days, more insightful and accomplished than Dava Sobel or Amir Aczel. He has a flawless instinct for what are the most important controversies and people that created the scientific world we live in, as well as a mastery of the techniques of fiction which can be used to enrich non-fiction.The discoveries of Faraday and Clerk Maxwell (who is also covered in this book) should be understood by all educated people. These men created the modern profession of theoretical physicist, culminating in the almost miraculous discovery of a question that had troubled everyone from Thales to Galileo: What is light?
I would also give highest recommendation Hirshfeld's 'Parallax: the Race to Measure the Cosmos'.
(4 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)
Codex by Lev Grossman
a reader, June 26, 2007
One of the five worst books I've ever read. Completely inept and pointless.(3 of 6 readers found this comment helpful)
Understanding Poetry 4TH Edition by Cleanth Brooks
a reader, January 22, 2007
Books on literary theory multiply like rabbits, each generation more turgid and depressing than the last.This is the great exception. The best book on literature I've ever seen. Brooks & Ransome never generalize, never bloviate. Instead they provide concrete examples and thoroughly insightful explanations of the most subtle techniques of poetry.
I've seen some later writers on literature try to dismiss this book as out-of-date. Don't believe them.
(4 of 5 readers found this comment helpful)
The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers by John Gardner
a reader, January 19, 2007
This is more a book on literary theory than a book which will help you to write better. The author states this up front about the first chapter, but the theorizing continues till the end of the book.Gardner talks about specific works of fiction, but at a very high level, withoug including many extracts. He draws distinctions based only on the name of an author; often no particular book or passage is cited.
Gardner should have included a list of books that should be read and well understood before tackling 'The Art of Fiction'. A reader can be well-read, but still not have any way of knowing what Gardner is talking about.
I gave this only two stars, because I personally don't like literary theory that isn't concrete.
(7 of 14 readers found this comment helpful)
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