This "highly readable work of literary history" (New York Times Book Review) is the first to explore the professional and personal life of editor e...
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Mar 05, 2009
Liz
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I am definitely one of those people who can't not finish a book, no matter how distasteful I find it to be, if it is work of fiction. Nonfiction, on the other hand, I tend to find really fascinating but less engaging and I usually end up getting distracted by a new novel while attempting to read history, biography, philosophy or theory. A. Scott Berg's biography of Max Perkins, though, is such an insightful, lyrical, and just plain fun work that I found myself as deeply engrossed as I would be
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Mar 15, 2008
Ellen
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This biography was incredible. Berg is my favorite biographer. He made the life of a bookish editor interesting, and he not only taught me about Perkin's life, but about how an editor can forge an intense relationship with a writer, taking that writer's talent and focusing it and nurturing his writing so that what emerges is a great American novel. Perkins did this for F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Great Gatsby, Thomas Wolf's You Can't Go Home Again, and many other classic American authors. After
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Jul 24, 2011
Kendra
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I had to read this for a class, and although generally I wouldn't have picked it up, I found it a decent read. The author was very thorough, and I found Max Perkins to be very compelling as a person. Perhaps the best parts of the book -- as a writer and a fan of some of the authors mentioned in the biography -- are when the author discusses the writing processes of Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Wolfe, and others.
I do have to say that the author seemed to be a little too enamoured of Perkins; More...
I do have to say that the author seemed to be a little too enamoured of Perkins; More...
Jan 28, 2011
Jeff
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I love this book.
Max Perkins is written about by Mr. Berg with such rich detail, it's as though he is telling about his father or a dear friend.
I am impressed with degree of detail and am in awe of the research that went into making this the telling bio that it is.
I was interested in it because of Perkin's support and encouragement of Heminway and Fitzgeral especially. I was not disappointed.
It is wonderfully detailed, exquisitely written accoun More...
Max Perkins is written about by Mr. Berg with such rich detail, it's as though he is telling about his father or a dear friend.
I am impressed with degree of detail and am in awe of the research that went into making this the telling bio that it is.
I was interested in it because of Perkin's support and encouragement of Heminway and Fitzgeral especially. I was not disappointed.
It is wonderfully detailed, exquisitely written accoun More...
Mar 05, 2008
Suzanne
rated it:
Max Perkins was the Scribner's editor during the golden age of American Literature. His clients included Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Wolfe. This is an outstanding work, well-cited and researched. I just loved it.
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May 31, 2010
Siria
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A really interesting biography of Max Perkins, an editor most well-known now for discovering F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe—though he also edited many bestsellers of the 20s, 30s and 40s which are now forgotten. There are times when Berg's coyness in telling anonymous anecdotes, coupled with his seeming desire to excuse Perkins' sexism with sexism, makes for a slightly frustrating read. Perhaps it might also be more enjoyable for people who have an interest in Perkins' mo
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Oct 14, 2011
Karen
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This book was like candy to me, with its in depth look into both publishing and an era of American history that fascinates me, the pre WWII, Depression era and on. Not to mention the inside view of Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Thomas Wolfe and many other great American authors, how they worked, how they were edited, how their publisher literally supported them at times.
F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife had an extravagant, wasteful lifestyle and money evaporated. He was always calling his e More...
F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife had an extravagant, wasteful lifestyle and money evaporated. He was always calling his e More...
Jan 30, 2011
Lorraine
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I loved reading this book and found myself drawing it out over a period of weeks rather than tearing through like I usually do. It's such a great time-piece of this particular era of new york and publishing, I wonder what Max Perkins would be like today; if he'd be the same type of extremely devoted editor. aside from this lamentation,, I learned so much about Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Thomas Wolfe, who was rather mad but had the desire to see everything he lived in prose. (I'm reading Look Hom
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Aug 11, 2011
Janetiokepa
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Anyone who cares about the literature of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Wolf, Ernest Hemingway, (and lots of other famous authors) should read this book! Max Perkins was the editor at Scribner's who worked intimately with so many unknowns and truly assisted them in publishing their works. The biography is researched thoroughly and includes tons of materials from letters these individuals wrote to each other, from their journals, from conversations, etc. It's fascinating. I gained a tremendous respe
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Dec 20, 2007
Kirk
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A great biography about one of the unsung heroes of modernist literature. Although Perkins is the most famous fiction editor in known history (sorry, Gordon Lish), little about his personal life and character was widely known before Berg's eminently readable bio. Perkins was a Victorian through and through, so he can come off as a little stodgy, but he was devoted to his writers. The famous trifecta of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Wolfe get a lot of attention, of course---though those familiar wit
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Jan 14, 2010
Chris
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There's no better window into the authorial lives of Ernest Hemmingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thomas Wolfe, and all of the Perkins geniuses. Every word in this book is like an entree at a five star restaurant. Berg's heavy studying of the editor's and authors' lives is clear in that their personalities shine right through the prose.
I think anyone remotely interested in books would love this biography.
I think anyone remotely interested in books would love this biography.
Jun 20, 2011
Stacy
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Excellent, sympathetic account of a gentle man and excellent editor. One thing I've wondered since reading this book is if anyone has taken Thomas Wolfe's brain tumors into account regarding his rift with Perkins shortly before his death. It just seems bizarre that Wolfe would turn on Perkins the way he did. It seems to me his many brain tumors—along with his attempts to self-medicate by drinking heavily—were the culprits of his behavior. In other words, I don't think he was responsible for the
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Feb 07, 2012
Callie
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If you are interested in the writing process or writers, this book is fascinating. Full of anecdotes about Hemingway, Fitgerald, Thomas WOlfe and others. Even these literary giants had feet of clay, meaning: they doubted themselves, they got lazy and distracted, they needed help shaping their writing, they wrote for money, etc. etc.
Apr 13, 2010
Lauwrra
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It started as a really good book, I didn't like that two thirds of it ended up being about the authors Max Perkins discovered and not really focused on the editor, if I wanted to know about Wolfe, Fitzgerald or Hemingway I would've bought a biography of them
Jan 08, 2009
Abby
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An interesting look at the publishing industry in a bygone era and, more particularly, a look at how a famous editor and his authors worked. Appearances by, as I remember, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Hemingway, and Thomas Wolfe, among others.
May 27, 2009
Philip
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Fascinating is an understatement.
While I was generally aware that writers, as artists, live passionate and interesting lives, I had no idea the level of madness involved conceiving and producing some of the greatest literary works of the 20th century. The reader will be surprised to learn about the force (Maxwell Perkins) that supported and encouraged authors such as Fitzgerald, Heminway, Wolfe, Jones, and many others.
While I was generally aware that writers, as artists, live passionate and interesting lives, I had no idea the level of madness involved conceiving and producing some of the greatest literary works of the 20th century. The reader will be surprised to learn about the force (Maxwell Perkins) that supported and encouraged authors such as Fitzgerald, Heminway, Wolfe, Jones, and many others.
Apr 27, 2009
Erich
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The ultimate book on the editor-writer relationship played out in the land of Fitzgerald, Wolfe, and others but written from the editor's point of view. Every writer dreams of having an editor like Max Perkins.
Jan 22, 2012
Peter
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Found this when I was lonely and browsing an English bookstore in Munich. Maxwell Perkins (portrayed by a sympathetic A. Scott Berg) has since become one of my role models. Vulnerable, conservative, he nonetheless looked out over the edge.
When I got back to the States and started working in New York, I went on a lunch break to go check out the old Scribner building. It's been gutted and turned into a jewelry store.
When I got back to the States and started working in New York, I went on a lunch break to go check out the old Scribner building. It's been gutted and turned into a jewelry store.
Feb 16, 2010
Colleen
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I thought the book was fascinating. Max Perkins was the editor of Hemmingway, Fitzgerald, Thomas Wolf, and more. The book traces his relationships with these literary figures and basically tracks the writing and editing process of their bodies of work. I loved learning more about the writing/editing process; the authors; Max Perkins; the historical time in NYC. The writing is stiff and pretty bland. It's a biography, but I highly recommend it. I like it even more now that I've had time to
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Jun 02, 2011
Casey72
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Though not as stirring as his other biographies, this book is essential in the canon for understanding 'lost generation' writers.
Dec 21, 2009
Sabrina
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A fascinating portrait of a world long gone. Publishing (and publishers) will never be like this again.
Aug 23, 2007
Zevi
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I love this book. Very inspirational. Max Perkins was truly a genius and also a great man who helped out his authors a lot on a personal level. Many of the literary geniuses he discovered considered him a close friend, or even their best friend. Reading about Wolfe was probably the most fascinating chapters for me. Strangely enough, I know for a fact this book also inspired the writing of a cyberpunk novel: If(Sid_Vicious == TRUE && Alan_Turing == TRUE) {ERROR_Cyberpunk();}
Mar 26, 2008
J. Dee
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This book was revelatory to me as far as uncovering the professional and personal struggles of the great American writers - Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Thomas Wolfe - not to mention casting a new light on the role of the editor as such. I didn't finish the book, but it prompted me to read or re-read some of the classic works from that generation from a different perspective. Would probably appeal more to writers or English majors than the general public.
Jan 11, 2009
Nissa
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A title suggested by a high school English teacher on a river trip- wish I'd been lucky enough to be in his class. Max Perkins was an editor at Scribner's for the legends of the thirties: Fitzgerald, Hemingway, Thomas Wolfe. The book is a great history of the Thirties, the Depression, the life of the writer, the age of letter writing, not to mention the stories behind some famous books and Maxwell Perkins own personal history.
Sep 16, 2007
Nathan
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I read this book because of my interest in the period and to figures tangential to Perkins, but came away thinking Perkins was the noblest of the group. Berg is a terrific biographer and I intend to read his biography of Samuel Goldwyn when I get around to it, even though, again, I have no direct interest in Goldwyn as a person, but have an interest in Hollywood of that period. I expect Berg to come through again.
Mar 22, 2009
Bett
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This is a remarkable and educational and inspiring look at one of American literature's greatest editors. Anyone who loves books will be fascinated by the inside story of how many of the classics of twentieth century American literature came into being. Any writer will be inspired and enthralled by this biography of the edtor who changed the face of literature, and who single-handedly redefined the editor's role.
Sep 03, 2011
Valerie
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Should be required reading for people going into publishing. Writers would learn a lot from it too. Very interesting book.
