Customer Reviews

Arthur Miller: 1915-1962

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Christopher Bigsby is the leading specialist in the world on the subject of modern American drama in general and Arthur Miller in particular. He had written so much already on Miller it was amazing that he still had a great deal more up his sleeve to contribute.

ARTHUR MILLER 1915-1962 puts all previous biographical studies of Miller deeply in the shade. Detailed, probing background is its main feature. I plan to base an eight-hour course for retirees entirely on the Cold War/House UnAmerican Activities Committee atmosphere underlying the writing and reception of Miller's two most important plays, DEATH OF A SALESMAN and THE CRUCIBLE. This will range from the most accurate picture yet presented of Miller's gradually changing leftist stance that began in the thirties, all the way to the largely irrational, sometimes downright spooky responses to those plays from dogmatists on the right.

The book is also written lucidly and richly. It should be engrossing to ordinary readers and Miller scholars alike.