THE GENIUS OF JOHN RUSKIN

by John D.- Ed. Rosenberg ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 12, 1963

Professor Rosenberg (Columbia University) wrote a A Darkening Glass: A Portrait of John Ruskin's Genius in 1961. It remains the only recent full examination of Ruskin's life and his impact on the Victorian era that is in print and it was well received. This book is just as much of a service- at least to interested laymen- for the editor has made a careful selection from the body of Ruskin's work (which was embalmed in the ""39 oversized volumes"" that comprise this standard edition). Contrary, self-contradictory but prophetic, Ruskin wrote more and more eloquently with practice until he reached ""the final eloquence of simplicity"". Plowing through those practice years for the focus and telling points of an active, far-ranging mind is a defeating propostion for the dilettante and the monumental task that the editor has performed so well. The excerpts are generous. The editor's introductory remarks to each section are brief, informative and necessary to the text. The organization is by the grouping of selections under Ruskin's major interests of Art- Architecture- Society- Solitude and Self. There is a chronology of Ruskin's life and writings, a carefully annotated bibliography and an index. A gap-filler and the market should be strong

Pub Date: Aug. 12, 1963

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Braziller

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1963

Categories: NONFICTION