Famous Wisconsin Authors

Rating:
Summary: FAMOUS WISCONSIN AUTHORS
Review: First off, it should be noted that the correct title for this book is FAMOUS WISCONSIN AUTHORS - and that is just what it gives us. Quick snapshot biographies of thirty-five writers with Wisconsin roots. From the truly famous such as Edna Ferber, Robert Bloch and Thornton Wilder -- to the once famous like Sterling North, Hamlin Garland and John Muir. Also represented are regional writers such as Zona Gale, August Derleth and Edna Meudt; genre writers Clifford Simak, Peter Straub and William Steuber; as well as a sprinkling of writers I had never heard of (Jacquelyn Mitchard, Marya Zaturenska, Kelly Cherry).

All the biographies are told with vigor and exactitude. James P. Roberts has met many of the writers profiled, and the more historical personages have been well reseached. It might be argued whether some of the authors included are truly "Wisconsin" writers (both Iowa and South Dakota claim Hamlin Garland, for example, and he actually didn't start writing until he lived in Massachusetts), but Roberts makes a good case for every name he included.

All in all, this book matches up quite well with August Derleth's book WISCONSIN WRITERS AND WRITING. Amazon should consider doing one of their "two for one price" deals with the two books. They would go together well.

I have only two complaints against the book. The first being that amazon.com does not have it listed (as of 7/1/02) under its correct title. This (of course) was not the fault of the author, but it did make it very hard to find, even by someone who knew of the book and was looking for it. Hopefully the listing can get corrected.

My other complaint is that there is one glaring absence from Roberts' FAMOUS WISCONSIN AUTHORS. Probably the most famous and bestselling contemporary Wisconsin author (from Oregon, Wisconsin - graduate of the University of Wisconsin) is nowhere to be found. Kevin J. Anderson should have been included.

I do recommend this book however. Especially to anyone with an interest in authors of the upper Midwest and the literary environment of Wisconsin. Wisconsin has always produced more than its share of writers, architects, scientists, artists and other intelligentsia. It was fun to spend a day in the company of such men and women as inhabit James P. Roberts' book FAMOUS WISCONSIN AUTHORS.