Christensen, Paul (Olson, Charles; Glover, Albert)

Charles Olson: Call Him Ishmael

ISBN: 0292710461
Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1979. Second Edition. "Charles Olson is an important force behind the raucous, explicit, jaunty style of much of contemporary poetry in America. This study makes a major contribution to our understanding of his life and work." (front flap). Charles Olson: Call Him Ishmael by poet & scholar Paul Christensen is a comprehensive study of Charles Olson (1910-1970), Black Mountain poet, Herman Melville (1819-1891)scholar, and author of "Call Me Ishmael" (See Item No. 5860). Christensen draws upon a wide variety of source materials, including letters, unpublished essays, and fragments from the "Olson Archives" to provide a critical examination of Olson's life and work. The book begins with an overview of Olson's life, from his early years at Harvard University to his retirement to Gloucester, MA. Charles Olson: Call Him Ishmael includes a systematic review of Olson's prose works, a close examination of his monograph (and first publication!) on Melville, Call Me Ishmael, and a critical survey of the works of other poets influenced by Olson. Christensen's work is a significant contribution to understanding Olson's life and the impact of his innovative poetics on the literary world. With an introduction by none other than George F. Butterick (1942-1988) the poet and scholar who did much with Albert Glover (b. 1942) to insure the acceptance of Olson as a major figure in American poetry (See Item No.s 8138 & 8431). From the collection of the aforementioned Albert Glover (b. 1942), the great American scholar, bibliographer, author & publisher who is the foremost living authority on the aforementioned literary giant Charles Olson (our favorite Maximus Obscurantist), with whom we're honored to be acquainted. Hardcover with Dust Jacket: Second Edition per copyright page, first printing though not explicated as such thereon. An exemplary Olson collectible, with relevant association & very distinguished provenance. Book in relatively fine condition with mild age-toning & rubbing mostly to fine edges of front, back covers & spine; an occasion of discoloration mostly to top of spine; mild age-toning & rubbing with moderate-to-severe spot-staining mostly to top of text block. Interior fine with very light age-toning mostly to fine edges and blank margins of front & back endpapers; a stately ownership sticker of Glover's is regally affixed to front paste-down. Dust Jacket fine with mild age-toning, rubbing & scratching to front, back covers & spine; mild bumping of corners of same; two small enclosed tears/wear at bottom edge of spine near front & back covers. Fine / Fine. [Item #8473]

Price: $50.00