Review by Choice Review
A century after his death, Harold Frederic and his work have almost disappeared from the canon and the classroom, as the concept of "realism" and interest in critiques of American small towns have gone into eclipse. Previous scholarly treatments include Austin Briggs's The Novels of Harold Frederic (CH, Nov'70) and Thomas O'Donnell and Hoyt Franchere's Harold Frederic (1961). Myers's work, the first biography of Frederic to be published, is clear and well researched, but the scarcity of new sources and the author's failure to generate narrative drive or real interest in his subject leaves Harold Frederic just about where he was. Those interested in documentation of the American small town around the turn of the century and scholars interested in Frederic's niche in authorship in America during the period can find here about all that seems likely to be found. The job of biography will not need to be done again for Harold Frederic. Satisfactory notes and bibliography. Research collections. Q. Grigg; Hamline University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
