"[Matthiessen's] exploration of the haunted mind of Hawthorne, of Emerson's integrity, of the mental hell in which Melville lived, of Whitman's schizophrenia, of Thoreau's chosen solitude, [has] produced a book unequaled in American critical writing."--The New Republic"Perhaps the most profound work of literary criticism on historical principles by any modern American."--Saturday Review"[Matthiessen's] exploration of the haunted mind of Hawthorne, of Emerson's integrity, of the mental hell in which Melville lived, of Whitman's schizophrenia, of Thoreau's chosen solitude, [has] produced a book unequaled in American critical writing."--The New Republic"Matthiessen has brought to light a rich and complex period....His comments on language and style, in addition to being discerning as criticism, become finally profound reflections on nineteenth-century American society."--Daniel Aaron, Kenyon Review"This classic remains very helpful; I'm glad it's published in paperback, so I can recommend it to students who couldn't possibly purchase a hard-cover edition."--Robert Lee Stuart, University of Redlands"The definitive text regarding the epistemological crisis of the mid-nineteenth century."--Arnold Goudenstein, Fitchburg (MA) State Ccollege
