Harold Bloom is unapologetic in his strong opinions about which books and authors are important. He mounts a credible defense against what he calls the School of Resentment. You may not agree with him, but his opinions are backed up with a thorough understanding of the artistic works discussed. This book is just one that should be consulted by students or lovers of literature for both its ideas on how to read, and its reading lists in the appendices. ( )

Bloom Almighty: I first read this book about nine or so years ago, and I reread parts of it almost every day. So why am I just now getting around to reviewing it? Well for one thing I didn't have internet access when I bought it. But, I figured it's time to give the master his due.

This book has had the greatest influence on me of any book I have read in recent memory, for many reasons. To begin with, Bloom's erudition is staggering. That he could read all that he has, and in addition retain and catalogue all of it, is simply beyond my comprehension. Bloom focuses on 28 authors he considers canonical and provides extensive descriptions and quotations from their work. If I understand Bloom correctly, he regards these authors as comprising the Western Canon, but he also has an appendix listing hundreds of authors that, I think, comprise the national canons of different countries. Whatever. But Bloom's importance lies in providing vivid enough descriptions of some major works so that one is motivated to read them. In my own case, at least, he has succeeded brilliantly.

Solely because of this book, in the past few years I have done all of the following, which I might not otherwise have done: 1) Read Goethe's "Faust," Parts I and II. Part II is absolutely wild, and is every bit as great as Bloom says. 2) Read "Bleak House" by Charles Dickens, which Bloom regards as the greatest English novel. It probably is. 3) Seen a production of "Endgame" by Samuel Beckett. Not my cup of tea, but it piques discussion at least. 4) Read several novels by Cormac McCarthy, beginning with "Blood Meridian." Bloom regards McCarthy as one of many successors to Shakespeare. Bloom is right; McCarthy is a powerful writer. I don't think I had ever heard of him before I read Bloom. 5) Read "Persuasion" by Jane Austen; Bloom regards this as Austen's greatest novel. 6) Read "Ficciones" by Jorge Luis Borges.

No other author has so influenced me to expand my range of reading as Bloom. However, I do not share Bloom's pessism. He sees literacy as in decline, which it probably is. However, the literary acumen with which previous generations have been gifted is probably being replaced by a new set of audio-visual skills that are more related to electronic media. Whether this is as tragic a thing as Bloom seems to think it is will have to be determined by history, but I don't think it is. Unfortunately, Bloom is a follower of Vico's historical theories, which envision the current chaotic age being replaced by a theocratic age. I simply cannot envision that happening in the western democracies. But we won't know until this writer, at least, is long gone from this world. ( )

Harold Bloom is erudite, has great insights into great literature, and is never boring. The Western Canon is not a lite list. This is challenging reading. If you're looking for pablum with a few lumps in it, read the feminists, multiculturalists and their "cheerleaders" (If you're looking for pablum, go to the supermarket.) because you won't find them here. Enjoy. ( )

A literary journey through some of the great literature of western civilization. Our guide is incredibly knowledgeable Harold Bloom of Yale. I have garnered many new facets on philosophy, history, and literature and how they are all tied to modern thought from this book. Epic. ( )

My review:

http://rodneywelch.blogspot.com/2003/... ( )