Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. Henry lewis mencken poems, quotations and biography on henry lewis mencken poet page. Mencken suffered a massive stroke in 1948 that left him unable to write, the thing he did. Shortly after world war ii, mencken expressed his intention of bequeathing his books and papers to the pratt library. Book is crisp and clean, with tight binding and sharp corners. Menckens prefaces which are, in fact, major essays on literature are collected herein, including works on joseph conrad. Mencken 1880 1956 was an american journalist, essayist, magazine editor, satirist, acerbic critic of american life and culture, and a student of american english. My life as author and editor is so telling and uproariously opinionated that is might have provoked a storm of libel suits. Free audio book that you can download in mp3, ipod and itunes format for your portable audio player. Hayden wing of the central library, 400 cathedral st, will be open to the public from 10 a. A contribution toward the interpretation of the national mind new york.
An admirer of friedrich nietzsche, mencken showed enthusiasm. Since its appearance in 1919, the essay has become widely regarded as menckens slur on the south, as his acidlaced repudiation of southern culture. Henry louis mencken september 12, 1880 january 29, 1956, was an american journalist, essayist, magazine editor, satirist, acerbic critic of american life and culture, and a scholar of american english. Then, read the last words of famous people throughout history as. Being various ballads, ballades, rondeaux, triolets, songs, quatrains, odes and rondels, all rescued from the potters field of old files and here given a decent. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements and timeline. Mencken was born in baltimore, maryland, on september 12, 1880. Mencken has 241 books on goodreads with 119065 ratings. Henry louis mencken was 76 years old when he died on 29th january 1956 ad. See all 99 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. But how could the great curmudgeon resist the 48 conventions. The 48 presidential campaign was menckens last hurrah. But after enduring the heavy weather of these two library of american volumesa gathering.
When henry was three, his family moved into a new home at 1524 hollins street facing union square park in the union square neighborhood of old west baltimore. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. He attended a methodist sunday school as a child but only, he wrote in the schooling of a theologian, to allow his fatheran unbelieverto have free time for a nap. A book of prefaces by henry louis mencken bookfusion. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading a book of prefaces. Henry louis mencken 18801956 was an american journalist, editor, critic, and philologist. Essential readings for the nonbeliever, and a mencken chrestomathy, and more on.
Menckens 1917 collection of essays criticizing american culture, authors, and movements. Mencken say the white house will be adorned by a downright moron. Mencken, known as the sage of baltimore, is regarded as one of the most influential american writers and prose stylists of the first half of the 20th century. For the book by alasdair gray see the book of prefaces. Mencken was an american journalist, critic, satirist and editor. Having emigrated from germany during the midnineteenth century, the menckens and abhaus had quickly adapted to life in the united states, and they provided a home more victorian than. Henry louis mencken september 12, 1880 january 29, 1956, was an american. I may have to see if i can find anything to read by. Pathbreaking journalist, trenchant social observer, and unbridled humorist, mencken was the most provocative and influential cultural critic of the last century. Seventy years ago, one of the most influential american journalists and critics was silenced forever. In fact, the book was considered vitriolic enough that menckens close friend. Henry louis mencken september 12, 1880 january 29, 1956 was a germanamerican journalist, satirist, cultural critic and scholar of american english.
He was the son of anna margaret abhau and august mencken sr. Mencken september 12, 1880 january 29, 1956, was an american journalist, essayist, magazine editor, satirist, acerbic critic of american life and culture, and a student of american english. Knopf, 1920, also by george jean nathan gutenberg text and page images. Though he was not a distinguished stylist, the extraordinary vigor of his expression was memorable. He was one of the most influential critics of the american literature in the 1920s. I was familiar with some of menckens other books when i picked this up ten or.
Mencken says alls set to put young william over if wilson gives the word. I gather this was one of menckens more successful efforts when published, and its still readable and mainly relevant today for at least three of the four subjects. Henry lewis mencken henry lewis mencken poems poem hunter. Its all in wilsons hands, mencken concludes after looking around at frisco. Henry louis, 18801956 online books about this author are available, as is a wikipedia article mencken, h. Puritanism as a literary force addeddate 20080411 21. This passage appears near the beginning of chapter, immediately after richard reads h. Joseph conrad theodore dreiser james huneker puritanism as a literary force. He became a reporter for the baltimore morning herald. A book of prefaces paperback september 1, 2016 by h.
Menckens book the american language revealed him to be an authority on the american language. Few writers roiled the american cultural scene like henry louis mencken. Mencken 18801956 is a revered figure in the history of american letters, and understandably so. He was of german ancestry and spoke german in his childhood. Henry louis mencken was born on september 12, 1880. American politics was in spectacular disarray, and mencken loved it. The legendary newspaperman addressed the difficulties of good. Lets look back at the career of one of the most popular names in literature with this collection of h. Mencken described the work as my most important book in its effects upon my professional career. A book of prefaces bcli ps american literature series by. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. You can also read the full text online using our ereader. Menckens 1917 collection of essays criticizing american culture, authors.
In the 1920s, when he was at the peak of his form, h. Menckens a book of prefaces for your kindle, tablet, ipad, pc or. Joseph goulden has edited and provided an introduction to menckens savaging of the candidates and their sideshows. In his life henry louis mencken was famous not only for his work but also for quotations and sayings, some of. The ivy bookshop will have copies of dana milbanks books for sale at a book signing immediately following the program. Collection of literary essays including joseph conrard, theodore dreiser, james huneker, and puritanism as a literary force. Mencken, in full henry louis mencken, born september 12, 1880, baltimore, maryland, u. The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed and hence clamorous to be led to safety by menacing it with an endless series. Mencken quotes, we recommended you check out our other posts on interesting quotes and quintessential mark twain quotes on life, philosophy and politics. Menckens most popular book is a mencken chrestomathy. Mencken quotes inspirational quotes at brainyquote. Mencken would periodically collect his magazine work and publish his favorite pieces in a series of books. Henry lewis mencken quotes quotes of henry lewis mencken. Mencken, who insisted that the duty of writers was to present the unvarnished truth about life.
The mencken society promoting the living works of henry. Read all poems of henry lewis mencken and infos about henry lewis mencken. Collection of literary essays including joseph conrard, theodore. Mencken described himself as absolutely devoid of what is called religious feeling. On being an american baltimore evening sunoctober 11, 1920 peasant and cockney. Mencken stipulated that this memoir remain sealed in a vault for thirtyfive years after his death. The book gained him much popularity in the field of philology with republication in 1936 andprovided with supplements in 1946 and 1948. Mencken, known as the sage of baltimore, is regarded as one of the most influential american writers and prose stylists. Mencken collection, enoch pratt free library books by h. This book is available for free download in a number of formats including epub, pdf, azw, mobi and more. Mencken the following list is comprehensive and represents the 1st american publications of menckens work.