About the Author

About the Author presents an autobiographical account of Bernard DeVoto's journey as a writer and historian in early-to-mid 20th century America. DeVoto recounts his experiences growing up in Utah, his education at Harvard, and his path to becoming an influential literary critic and historian. The narrative traces DeVoto's development as both a writer and public intellectual, including his time as editor of the Saturday Review and his work on major historical texts about the American West. Through personal anecdotes and professional reflections, he documents the challenges and evolution of his craft across multiple decades. DeVoto examines his relationships with other writers and intellectuals of his era, providing insight into the literary landscape of the time. His accounts include interactions with prominent figures in American letters and his involvement in key cultural debates of the period. The book stands as both a personal memoir and a broader meditation on the role of the writer in American society, exploring tensions between regional and national identity in American literature. It raises questions about authenticity in historical writing and the responsibilities of authors to their craft and their readers.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Bernard DeVoto's overall work: Readers appreciate DeVoto's detailed research and his ability to capture the scope of Western American history, particularly in "The Year of Decision: 1846" and "Across the Wide Missouri." Multiple reviews note his thorough documentation and vivid descriptions of frontier life. Common criticisms include his dense writing style and tendency toward lengthy tangents. On Goodreads, several readers mention struggling with the pacing, with one noting "he takes 3 pages to say what could be said in 3 paragraphs." Readers value his wit and sharp commentary in works like "The Hour: A Cocktail Manifesto," though some find his strong opinions off-putting. Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - The Year of Decision: 1846 - 4.0/5 (238 ratings) - Across the Wide Missouri - 4.1/5 (196 ratings) - The Hour - 4.2/5 (412 ratings) Amazon: - The Year of Decision: 1846 - 4.5/5 (89 reviews) - Across the Wide Missouri - 4.3/5 (42 reviews)

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🖋️ Bernard DeVoto won both the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award for other works, but "About the Author" was published posthumously in 1968, four years after his death. 📚 The book originated from DeVoto's experience teaching creative writing at Harvard University and his decades of literary criticism for major publications. ✍️ DeVoto was known for his sharp wit and often controversial opinions, particularly his criticism of experimental modernist literature, which he addresses in the book. 🎯 The work focuses on debunking common myths about writing and publishing, with DeVoto drawing from his extensive experience as both an author and editor of The Saturday Review. 📖 Though written in the mid-20th century, many of the book's observations about the publishing industry and the challenges of professional writing remain relevant today, making it a continually cited resource in writing programs.