James Fenimore Cooper: An Annotated Bibliography of Criticism

(Hardback)

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Description

Famed for his adventure novels of the American frontier and the sea, and also the author of social and political commentary, James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) received widely fluctuating contemporaneous and posthumous reviews, but is generally regarded as a pioneer in the development of the American social and political novel. In this annotated bibliography of 1943 sources, the vast body of criticism has been channeled into chapters by broad subject category and subdivided, as appropriate, by the Cooper work in question and in terms of criticism in his lifetime and after. This organization, together with an introductory survey of his critical reception and full indexing, allows the reader to trace the topics and themes that have occupied a who's who of critics from 1820 to the present.

Reviews

The nearly 2,000 entries in this bibliography cite Cooper criticism and biography from 1820 to 1990. As well as citations to the usual reviews, books, and journal articles, there are citations to newspaper articles and editorials, dissertations and theses, satires, and scholarly introductions to Cooper's books. Both foreign and domestic items are covered, and the amount of 19th-century criticism cited is impressive. Indeed, those students who wish to go beyond the limits of what can be found in the MLA International Bibliography will find this work useful for years to come. Most citations are annotated with blunt, nonevaluative summaries of the item cited. The arrangement of the bibliography is slightly cumbersome, with citations grouped into broad categories that are further subdivided into "Articles and Reviews Contemporary With Cooper" and "Articles From Cooper's Death to the Present." The shortcomings of this arrangement are atoned for, however, by excellent indexing. Although this bibliography does not claim to be comprehensive, it will more than meet the needs of the undergraduate researcher and it will be extremely useful to the more advanced Cooper scholar. Recommended for all academic libraries.-Choice
This well-thought-out reference work on an important literary figure deserves space on most academic library shelves.-ARBA
"This well-thought-out reference work on an important literary figure deserves space on most academic library shelves."-ARBA
"The nearly 2,000 entries in this bibliography cite Cooper criticism and biography from 1820 to 1990. As well as citations to the usual reviews, books, and journal articles, there are citations to newspaper articles and editorials, dissertations and theses, satires, and scholarly introductions to Cooper's books. Both foreign and domestic items are covered, and the amount of 19th-century criticism cited is impressive. Indeed, those students who wish to go beyond the limits of what can be found in the MLA International Bibliography will find this work useful for years to come. Most citations are annotated with blunt, nonevaluative summaries of the item cited. The arrangement of the bibliography is slightly cumbersome, with citations grouped into broad categories that are further subdivided into "Articles and Reviews Contemporary With Cooper" and "Articles From Cooper's Death to the Present." The shortcomings of this arrangement are atoned for, however, by excellent indexing. Although this bibliography does not claim to be comprehensive, it will more than meet the needs of the undergraduate researcher and it will be extremely useful to the more advanced Cooper scholar. Recommended for all academic libraries."-Choice

Author Bio

ALAN FRANK DYER is a librarian, businessman, and independent scholar with a special interest in colonial American history.