Beside The Shadblow Tree: A Memoir Of James Laughlin [Paperback]

Hayden Carruth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1999

Intimate portrait of 20th century's most influential publisher, as only a great poet can see him.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

James Laughlin (1914^-97) was an essential figure in twentieth-century literature, not because he was a major writer, though he was a very fine poet, but because New Directions books, which introduced several generations to the best in modern world literature, were "published for" him. That phrase was indicative of Laughlin, his friend, Carruth, imparts, for it skirted publicly acknowledging that he was New Directions' very active publisher-editor. Laughlin was extremely self-effacing, unwilling to show emotion or to endure gratitude. Yet he loved many women besides his three wives, and he was extraordinarily generous, not just with money. Near the end of this careful, thoroughly engaging memoir, as biographical of its author as of its subject, Carruth states his realization that Laughlin had supported him unobtrusively through the most difficult period of Carruth's life and long after. Perhaps Carruth would never have achieved what he did--and he is a major poet--without Laughlin, and the same could be said of several other writers. An essential, beautiful, and moving document. Ray Olson

About the Author

Hayden Carruth is the author of twenty-five books of poetry, a novel, four books of criticism, and two anthologies, and has held fellowships from the Bollingen, Guggenheim and Lannan foundations, as well as the NEA. His many awards include the National Book Award for Poetry, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the Lenore Marshall/The Nation Award.

Product Details

• Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: Copper Canyon Press; 1st edition (April 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556590997
• ISBN-13: 978-1556590993
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,569,563 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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