James D. Hart (1911–1990)

Not strictly a review but attests to the quality of the work: from Wikipedia 13 April 2020: "While studying for his doctorate at Harvard University, Hart conceived and began work on an American literature companion book. It is reported that in 1934, after looking for such a book among second-hand bookstores on what was Fourth Avenue below 14th Street in Manhattan, New York to no avail, Hart entered the offices of Oxford University Press on Fifth Avenue upon passing. Inside, on a whim, he told the receptionist that he had an idea for a book, which prompted editor Margaret Nicholson to come out to meet him. He questioned her about the existence of such a book, to which she replied, "We've been looking for someone to do that." She took him in to see director of the press Geoffrey Cumberlege. Cumberlege wanted to see examples of his work, and Hart had none. Furthermore, Cumberledge was sailing to Europe on the RMS Queen Mary the next day, so Hart returned to his hotel room and produced essays on Ralph Waldo Emerson and Richard Henry Dana amongst others, and delivered them to Cumberledge the next morning. A few months later he was granted a contract, and wrote the book alone. Critic Alfred Kazin said it is "the most valuable handbook I know on our literature," and had been on his desk for nearly half a century."
Hart went on to be one of Joan Didions tutors at Berkeley.… (mais)

When my granddaughter started an American Literature online class for her junior year of high school I recalled I mostly remembered American literature class as starting with Cotton Mather which did not make a lot of sense, and I think I lost interest from then on. Now, a chance to try again. My approach over a 3 day period was to use the excellent chronological index in the back to check the history and sociology dates and then dip into this excellent reference for the related literature. Since my edition goes only until 1965 there is still a lot to go. A useful method of getting into American Literature.… (mais)