This is a staggering tribute to uber-critic Jacques Barzun's legendary intelligence and cantankerousness.

What truly impresses here is Barzun's breadth of knowledge; in an age of academic specialization, he is a rare, confident master-of-all-trades.

These essays constitute one of the great critical collections of recent times and amply showcase one of the outstanding scholarly intellects of the last century.

Barzun combines a depth of knowledge and a rare facility with words. A selection of Barzun's most inventive, accomplished, and insightful essays, compiled in one impressive volume. A feast for any reader.

Demonstrates again the depth and breadth of his learning, the originality of his thinking, and his commitment to speak to the general reader in engaging, intelligent prose.