William Lyon Phelps (1865–1943)

An interesting but slightly irritating lecture which takes as axiomatic 'the happiest person is the person who thinks the most interesting thoughts', doesn't really challenge this, and then concludes that happiness is an internal property that shouldn't be affected by exterior things, and we should all be happier as we grow older. It does however have the quote 'Higher education, the cultivation of the mind, is more important for women than for men', although follows it with the depressing show more rational 'because women are more often left alone' show less

This is one of the oldest books in my TBR pile, by which I mean that it was published first in 1915 and I've had it so long I kept forgetting what it looking like. But I unearthed it this week and I'm glad I did. I was a little afraid it would be dry and technical, but it was neither. It reads more like conversation, except for some lengthy quotes here and there, and it's surprisingly fun.

Phelps discusses the development of the novel, from the days of Swift, Defoe, and Sterne, and ends show more around the first World War. He definitely has his favorites and his hates, but that makes it fun to read. I can't agree with him at all on Henry James, who I think is boring beyond belief, and he practically ignored Mark Twain, but I found several in here I want to find. He seemed to be off quite a bit with his picks for best writers of his own day, given that I hadn't even heard of the majority of them. It reminds me of something I heard once about how small the number was of writers whose fame outlasted their own lifetimes.

I'm sure this one would be very hard to find. There are only 2 copies on LT. I don't know that I'd recommend looking for it, but I did enjoy it. show less

A short read accompanied by delightful illustrations, and an endless supply of puns. So if you appreciate play on words, as I do, (and are familiar with nautical terms/polar exploration lingo) you will like this book.

All fools -- Bussy D'Ambois -- The revenge of Bussy D'Ambois -- The conspiracy of Charles Duke of Byron -- The tragedy of Charles Duke of Byron