American gadfly : the intellectual odyssey of Paul Fussell / Ronald R Gray.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Gray, Ronald R., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Fussell, Paul, 1924-2012.

Fussell, Paul.

English teachers--United States--Biography.

English teachers.

United States.

Critics--United States--Biography.

Critics.

Genre:

Biographies.

Physical Description:

viii, 231 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Jefferson, North Carolina : McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, [2019]

Summary:

"American cultural historian, literary and social critic and college professor Paul Fussell (1924-2012) wrote and edited 21 books on a wide variety of topics, ranging from 18th century British literature to works on World War II to sardonic takes on American culture. This book offers a thorough introduction to his writings and thought, constructing an argument for Fussell's continued importance and relevancy. Covering Fussell's traumatic experience in World War II and the important influence it had on his life and outlook, this intellectual biography puts in context Fussell's perspectives on ethics, the human experience and literature as an evaluative and critical endeavor."-Provided by publisher"-- Provided by publisher.

""American cultural historian, literary and social critic and college professor Paul Fussell (1924-2012) wrote and edited 21 books on a wide variety of topics, ranging from 18th century British literature to works on World War II to sardonic takes on American culture. This book offers a thorough introduction to his writings and thought, constructing an argument for Fussell's continued importance and relevancy. Covering Fussell's traumatic experience in World War II and the important influence it had on his life and outlook, this intellectual biography puts in context Fussell's perspectives on ethics, the human experience and literature as an evaluative and critical endeavor."-Provided by publisher"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

1 "The Extirpation of Boy Fussell" p. 5

2 "In the Eighteenth Century I Found It" p. 17

3 Oh! What a Lovely Book! p. 32

4 "It Is Simply Part of One's Life" p. 68

5 An Essayist at Heart p. 81

6 Sheer, Vulgar Experience and the Dropping of the Atomic Bomb p. 93

7 "A Touchy Subject": Class in America p. 107

8 "The Real War Will Never Get in the Books" p. 121

9 The BADness of American Culture p. 135

10 The War Continues: An Anthology, Introduction and Lectures p. 145

11 Defending "Not a Very Nice Fellow" p. 158

12 The Autobiography of a Natural Warrior p. 165

13 A Book about Appearances and Belonging p. 179

14 A Final Look at the "Good War" p. 186

15 The Power of Facing Unpleasant Truths p. 200.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 223-228) and index.

ISBN:

9781476672113

1476672113

OCLC:

1103693537

Publisher Number:

40029483764