American Literature in the Twentieth Century [antikvár]

Preface to the Third Edition The present American edition of this book is largely identical with the revised edition published in England in 1962. There are, however, a few new paragraphs on Edward Albee, James Baldwin, John Cheever, William Faulkner, Philip Roth, William Styron and John Updike. The bibliographical notes have been brought up to the end of 1963. In some cases it was possible to include publications appearing in the first few months of the year 1964. Readers and reviewers are respectfully reminded that this is not a history of American literature nor a book on American poetry, but a study in attitudes. I wish to express my warmest thanks to my wife, to Mrs. Elisabeth Loew, to Dr. Henri Petter and to Dr. Alfred Anderau for helping me with the bibliographical notes, the index, and the proof reading. Zürich, October 1964 Preface to the Revised Edition The original edition of this book appeared in the summer of 1951. Its reception confirmed that critical opinion differs not only on the evaluation of contemporary creative writing but even on what can reasonably be expected of a short survey like the present one. Less than ever does there seem to be any consensus of opinion as to how to describe the literary situation of a given age. Nevertheless, I feel very much indebted to those reviewers and