So, let's recap. We started Volume One of the Henry James biography examining his childhood. Subsequent volumes traced his move to Europe and followed his social life as a freewheeling bachelor. By Volume Four James was settling down with the purchase of Lamb House in Rye, England. Throughout every volume we were able to chart James's progress as a writer, a poet and even playwright but in Volume Five he is dubbed "the master" by his peers. By Volume Five we see James slowing down, becoming more domestic and worrying about his Lamb House gardens. Imagine! He has never had gardens of his own before. Even though James might be slowing down, the emphasis is still on his ambition. He wanted to be influential. He wanted to be remembered and admired. He took great pride to cultivate his craft. ( )

1158 Henry James: The Master 1901-1916, by Leon Edel (read 21 Apr 1972) This is the fifth and final volume of Edel's masterful biography. James died 28 Feb 1916. Really an excellent work, though I was disturbed by some things about James His was an amazing life--and Edel's work is a fantastic achievement. ( )