Recognizing biography /

Daring to apply post-modern techniques of criticism to the presently very popular genre of biography, Epstein (Purdue) pioneers a critical system for what James L. Clifford calls ``the last major discipline uncorrupted by criticism.'' Well read in the traditional sources of biography as a literary form and wisely using Roger North's General Preface & Life of Dr. John North (1984) in his arguments, Epstein defines recognizing biography as ``the reading and analysis associated with cognitive experiencing and re-experiencing of biography.'' He deals precisely with recognizing the life-text, the biographical subject, the biographer and the life-course. He uses Walton's ``Donne,'' Johnson's ``Savage,'' Boswell's ``Johnson,'' and Strachey's ``Victorians'' as textual vehicles to carry his arguments. The chapters on Walton and Boswell are convincing but the last chapter on Strachey is not fully acceptable. Perhaps this is because additional articulation of a post-Einstein view of the life-course is needed. The notes are plentiful, an essential aid while studying this difficult text. Leon Edel, Harold Nicolson and Paul Murray Kendall would read this volume with close attention and a raised eyebrow. For the biographer wanting to know more of the theory of biography and for the advanced undergraduate and graduate student.-R.F. Cayton, Marietta College