One of the best introductions to American literature. ( )

Took me nearly a month to finish this tripe.

While Lawrence does have a few interesting things to say, much of this book is itinerant rambling. He tries to establish the thread of a theme throughout American literature that "knowing" a thing is equivalent to killing it, but after the first few chapters, he seems to frequently forget his Grand Unifying Theme only to bring it up sporadically thereafter.

I understand there is a critical edition that includes various drafts of the writings – I can't in good conscience call these "essays" – in this book, including four versions of the Whitman piece (the finished version and three drafts). God save anyone who is forced to read that edition. ( )

I always think of this book as "the book where Lawrence makes an utter twat of himself". He takes apart every darling of American literature with verve, passion, sarcastic wit, and unbridled bias. What's not to love?

Owning a first edition is pretty awesome as well. *grin* ( )

It is apparent from this book of criticism that Lawrence was someone who was in constant tension with his surroundings. I believe he wrote the book while living in voluntary exile in New Mexico, which makes his stinging criticism of the first several American authors he considers a little hard to swallow. He is absolutely merciless in his treatment of Benjamin Franklin, and Fenimore Cooper comes off little better. Right when the American reader has had about as much as he or she can stand of the pompous and cynical Lawrence, one encounters the chapter on Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter, in which Lawrence expresses deep appreciation of the allegorical quality of the work (not without taking a few potshots at Hawthorne, of course). The final chapter on Moby Dick sealed it for me. Lawrence's enthusiasm for a work I haven't really considered in 10 or 12 years prompted me to buy a more robust edition and launch into it once again. All in all, this is a fine and provoking work of literary criticism in my opinion. ( )

This is a remarkable book. Lawrence by turns reveals contempt, condescension, sympathy and admiration for America. And the book is as much about America and the American Mind (whatever that may be) as it is strictly about American Literature. The literature acts as a lens which Lawrence uses to focus his considerable and intense mental energy on the American psyche and character.

You never quite know if he likes us or loathes us or is merely amused by us. That among other things is what makes this book special and highly entertaining. That and Lawrence's pointed characterizations and observations.

About Benjamin Franklin:
"He was a little model, was Benjamin. Doctor Franklin. Snuff-colored little man!"

James Fennimore Cooper:
"... Best stick to National Grouch. The great American grouch.
Cooper had it, gentleman as he was."

A very curious observation in the chapter on Edgar Allan Poe:
"It is love that causes the neuroticism of the day. It is love that is the prime cause of tuberculosis."

On Nathaniel Hawthorne:
"The absolute duplicity of that blue-eyed Wunderkind of a Nathaniel. The American wonder child, with his magical allegorical insight."

In the chapter on Dana's "Two Years Before the Mast" (which makes me want to read that book):
"This is what Dana wanted: a naked fighting experience with the sea."
...
"And his own soul is as the soul of the albatross.
It is a storm-bird. And so is Dana."
...
"So Dana sits and Hamletizes by the Pacific--chief actor in the play of his own existence."

Finally, Lawrence brings up dualism more than once in his commentary and then exemplifies it himself in his own attitudes and judgments. Speaking of "Moby Dick" he says:
"It is a great book." Then immediately after that:
"At first you are put off by the style. It reads like journalism. It seems spurious. You feel Melville is trying to put something over you. It won't do."

All in all, a brilliant piece of commentary that bears re-reading. It took me 46 years to get around to my second reading - I suspect I'll read it the third time before that long a time elapses again.