The art of literary research

by Richard D. Altick, John J. Fenstermaker

Reprint of the revised edition. The joys of literary scholarship and detection. Information on T.J. Wise. xvi, 304 pages. cloth.. 8vo..

Genres: Nonfiction, Research Methods, Literary Criticism, American, Reference

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Richard Altick was Regent’s Professor of English, Emeritus, at The Ohio State University and the author of numerous important works in the field of literary studies.

Reviews

[Lisa Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting window into literary research just before the digital revolution. It continues to offer solid research principles. It also offers the productive problem of thinking through how a contemporary literary scholar might build a research problem from the ground up and conduct thorough research with the tools at her disposal today.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have two editions of this book, and both are filled with interesting stories and useful info on doing literary research. Yes, we have digital databases, but Altick emphasizes that research doesn't consist of just "lookin' stuff up" on the computer. Research involves focus and creativity and an ability to extract information from unlikely sources and use it to find more information. Altick shows researchers doing just that.

No book can keep up with the new research tools available. This book is probably more useful for graduate students than undergrads and certainly needs to be augmented by instruction by a reference librarian.

But it's fun to watch earlier researchers focus on some fascinating research questions, and I value Altick's enthusiasm.

[Shanae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those this book is quite antiquated, I think the information it provides about doing in-depth research to acquire the most accurate information when taking on the challenge of assessing any text is essential to all English majors and academic writers. I learned quite a bit from Altick and am anxious to put it to good use later this year when I begin writing heavily researched essays.

[Mary Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

If only it was the art of historical research . . .

[Josephine]

Shines an interesting light into a seemingly dry subject matter. The sleuthing needed to understand the history of a piece of writing, the potential errors presented in its transmission through time, and the manifold obstacles between the literary historian and the unvarnished truth are all fascinating stuff. Makes me wonder what the state of the field is now.

[Scott Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was written a few years back, before the internet. The views are and methods are pertinent for someone seeking to do research into a particular subject in literature but he makes the big mistake of assuming that the "art" of research is even worth it. He assumes his readers already accept that there is some noble mission in chaining yourself to a desk in the library to look into "eradicating error" in literature and never bothers to explain why someone would even want to. Anyway, it's all outdated now that the internet changed research forever.

[Tyler Proctor · Rating 1 out of 5]

I will admit to just skimming it, but I was given a week to read it, and I gave it a fair chance. I know we shouldn't rely too much on technology, but this book (published in the 1960s) basically contained instructions on how to write a research paper if the internet died. It also repeated itself constantly (for basically the first 150 pages) while just giving tons of examples. The last section was kind of relevant, but I don't quite see how I would've made it to the upper-level college writing course that assigned me this book if I didn't already know most of it.

[Cameron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the kind of book Lionel Trilling would have had buried with him. Stuffy? Absolutely. But even more useful, and the bits about literary Indiana Jones-esque finds of buried manuscripts in British attics are especially good.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised at how easy this book was to read! It was actually entertaining and really made me think. Go figure.

[Joe Nelis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Definitely some useful information and interesting anecdotes here, but it's such a boring read. This was a struggle.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this in my Literary Research class at Bob Jones University with Dr. Bruce Rose.

[Elizabeth Lund]

Skimmed thoroughly. About biographical research, not literary criticism.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informed and full of self-conscious irony. An excellent read if you're truly desperate to know about literary research and don't mind looking up arcane wordage.

[Mills College Library]

807.2 A4681 1993