George R. Stewart (1895–1980)
Author of Earth Abides
About the Author
George R. Stewart (1895-1980) was a professor of English at the University of California, Berkeley
Works by George R. Stewart
American place-names; a concise and selective dictionary for the continental United States of America (1970) 70 copies
American Given Names: Their Origin and History in the Context of the English Language (1986) 53 copies
Donner Pass and those who crossed it; the story of the country made notable by the Stevens Party, the Donner Party, the… (1960) 13 copies
The year of the oath; the fight for academic freedom at the University of California (1950) 12 copies
Take your Bible in one hand; the life of William Henry Thomes, author of A whaleman's adventures on land and sea,… (1939) 8 copies
Doctor's oral 5 copies
John Phoenix, Esq., the veritable Squibob : a life of Captain George H. Derby, U.S.A., (1937) 4 copies
The technique of English verse 2 copies
Good lives 2 copies
Donner Pass and Those Who Crossed It 2 copies
A bibliography of the writings of Bret Harte in the magazines and newspapers of California, 1857-1871 (1977) 1 copy
Diary of Patrick Breen 1 copy
Associated Works
A Sense of History: The Best Writing from the Pages of American Heritage (1985) — Contributor — 453 copies
Recollections of Old Times in California or, California Life in 1843 (1974) — Introduction — 3 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Stewart, George R.
- Legal name
- Stewart, George Rippey, Jr.
- Birthdate
- 1895-05-31
- Date of death
- 1980-08-22
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Sewickley, Pennsylvania, USA
- Place of death
- San Francisco, California, USA
- Places of residence
- Berkeley, California, USA
- Education
- Princeton University (BA|1917)
University of California, Berkeley (MA|1920)
Columbia University (PhD|English literature|1922) - Occupations
- historian
toponymist
novelist
Professor of English - Organizations
- University of California, Berkeley
American Name Society - Awards and honors
- International Fantasy Award (1951)
Members
Discussions
George R Stewart's Earth Abides in Post-apocalyptic Literature (July 2010)
Reviews
Lists
Awards
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 43
- Also by
- 6
- Members
- 6,129
- Popularity
- #4,017
- Rating
- 3.9
- Reviews
- 155
- ISBNs
- 109
- Languages
- 6
- Favorited
- 11
Ish isn't a scientist or a doctor, or a superhuman soldier; he's just a slightly more intelligent person who understands the present and the importance the future holds. Along the way he picks up a few group of survivors. The dynamic of the group is something that is interesting as we see a small society form. Within this, Ish becomes a defacto leader and the idealist - but an idealist who has reality smack into him several times, especially when it concerns other people. While you do get a semblance of others actions and reasons, we are constantly following Ish and his internal dialogue. Society is gone and all that remains are the remains.
But now children come into the mix. Society is still in struggle within their group. Ish wants to build the children to take over and remember the times before and achieve order once again. But what does order and society look like when you only have less than a dozen people who existed in the "before times".
There are some amazing juxopositions in this book as well. Ish takes a wife, Emma, names that have origin towards "Adam" and "Eve". We see the story starts out with Ish (Adam) being bitten by a snake and then he's thrust out into a world of disorder but also the Earth continues. Within this, there is small discussions of religion as in Ish is not religious and views it as a distraction from the unity needed among the group and focus on survival tasks. Then to double back, mythology springs up on things that for Ish are common place but for the children who only know the world after the Great Disaster become totems and exalted titles.
There's no big shootouts in this book. There's no stopping the mad bomber or brigand. It is a calm book but the tension and drama are beautifully done. The dealing with an outside stranger to the group and the impact of actions taken is such a high point. But there are little movements that are big deals and then there are big deals where you think the story will focus on but it settles into a more somber and carefree tone. It's amazing.
I almost come to think of apocalypse stories truly bringing questions of the purpose of life and humanity front and center and this one has done it the most by not focusing on the disaster but on the life and humanity. This would be an amazing book for a group discussion or reading group. I was tempted not to finish it as I saw the end coming and didn't want it to end - a sure sign of a good book. A definite recommendendation. Don't let it sit on your shelf. But if you do, the Earth Abides. Final Grade - A+… (more)