By BRANDER MATTHEWS, A.M., LL.B., Professor of Literature, Columbia
University. Price, $1.00
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT, in an extended and appreciative review in _The
Bookman_, says: "The book is a piece of work as good of its kind as any
American scholar has ever had in his hands. It is just the kind of book
that should be given to a beginner, because it will give him a clear
idea of what to read, and of the relative importance of the authors he
is to read; yet it is much more than merely a book for beginners. Any
student of the subject who wishes to do good work hereafter must not
only read Mr. Matthews' book, but must largely adopt Mr. Matthews' way
of looking at things, for these simply written, unpretentious chapters
are worth many times as much as the ponderous tomes which contain
what usually passes for criticism; and the principles upon which Mr.
Matthews insists with such quiet force and good taste are those which
must be adopted, not only by every student of American writings, but
by every American writer, if he is going to do what is really worth
doing.... In short, Mr. Matthews has produced an admirable book, both
in manner and matter, and has made a distinct addition to the very
literature of which he writes."
¶ The book is amply provided with pedagogical features. Each chapter
includes questions for review, bibliographical notes, facsimiles of
manuscripts, and portraits, while at the end of the volume is a brief
chronology of American literature.
AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY
(S. 91)