Book details
Stories of Authors, British and American
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Stored record
Metadata
- Gutenberg ID
- 26910
- Title
- Stories of Authors, British and American
- Language
- en
- Book source
- Project Gutenberg
- Description max 80 words
-
Edwin Watts Chubb's "Stories of Authors, British and American" offers a gossipy yet educational look at literary giants. Blending biography with delightful anecdotes, this collection humanizes famous figures by revealing their foibles, eccentricities, and personal struggles. Ideal for students and enthusiasts, it breathes life into literature by focusing on the artists themselves rather than just their works.
- Summary up to 500 words
-
In *Stories of Authors, British and American*, Professor Edwin Watts Chubb weaves a vibrant tapestry of literary history, bridging the gap between public achievements and private lives. Moving from the ancient Tabard Inn where Chaucer gathered his pilgrims to the tragic deaths of Shelley and Poe, Chubb alternates between English and American writers to present sketches ranging from the chivalric heroism of Sir Philip Sidney to the wild simplicity of Henry David Thoreau. The text reveals intimate details often omitted from standard biographies: Burns falling in love, Dickens writing *Pickwick*, and the Brownings' runaway romance. Chubb balances serious analysis with "delightful gossip," illustrating Dr. Johnson's fear of death and Tennyson's struggle with tobacco. He explores specific, lesser-known facts, such as the exact costs of Thoreau's food or Hamlin Garland's first payment for a story. Through these varied portraits, Chubb argues that knowing the men and women behind the books makes literature more alive and interesting. He contends that placing literary lights on a pedestal too lofty prevents their warmth from reaching our hearts. By awakening an interest in the authors who shaped English and American culture, Chubb encourages readers to seek deeper knowledge of the figures behind the works, transforming the study of literature into a more engaging and human experience.
- LLM editorial rating
- 4.2/5
- Download URL
- https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26910.epub.noimages
- Local file path
-
data/epubs/pg26910.epub - Downloaded at
- 2026-07-03 20:35 UTC
People
Authors
- Edwin Watts Chubb
Classification
Categories
- Biography
- American Literature
- British Literature