Mendelson, Edward.

Moral agents : Eight Twentieth-Century American writers / Edward Mendelson. - New York : New York Review Books, [2015] - xviii, 203 p. ; 22 cm

Includes bibliographical references (page 203).

"One of contemporary America's leading critics and scholars offers a provocative reassessment of the lives and work of eight influential twentieth- century American writers: Lionel Trilling Dwight Macdonald W.H. Auden William Maxwell Saul Bellow Alfred Kazin Norman Mailer Frank O'Hara Drawing on newly published letters and diaries, Edward Mendelson explores the responses of these writers, very public figures all, to major historical events--among them the rise and fall of fascism, the cold war, the struggles for civil rights and against the Vietnam War, and the sexual revolution--and shows how intensely personal concerns, relating to childhood, religion, status, sex, and money, largely shaped their views. Mendelson's vivid portraits cut to the quick, changing our perceptions of these brilliant, complicated, often deeply troubled men while offering readers a new understanding of their contributions to American intellectual and political life"--

9781590177761 (hardback : acid-free paper)

2014029155


American literature--History and criticism.--20th century
Literature and history--History--United States--20th century.
Literatura estadounidense--Siglo XX.
Literatura estadounidense--Historia y crítica.


United States--Intellectual life--20th century.

PS 221 / M537m 2015

810.9/005