Joseph Conrad: A Life (Studies in English and American Literature and Culture) (Hardcover)

~ Zdzislaw Najder (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

(A) great achievement in revealing to us with honesty and compassion a writer of immense moral stature and untiring devotion to his art. POLISH REVIEW That Conrad's beliefs are so much bigger than his doubts may account for the relatively small number of biographies since 1960. The best is still Zdzislaw Najder's (work.) WEEKLY STANDARD The revisions to Zdzislaw Najder's Joseph Conrad further strengthen what was already the indispensable biography. They are extensive and substantial, incorporating not only Najder's own discoveries but those by such distinguished scholars as Andrew Busza, J. H. Stape, the late Sylvère Monod, and the late Hans van Marle.--Laurence Davies, University of Glasgow, General Editor of Conrad's Collected Letters A heroic achievement. THE INDEPENDENT (A) portrait of a remarkable human in his native milieu and the story of how he adapted to a very different environment. Nader's Conrad is a man of deep emotions under a mask of circumspection. (Builds) up a detailed portrait of Conrad using every scrap of available information. LITERARY REVIEW This hefty book is a pleasure to read. This present edition is a fifth revision and the second published in English. (The author provides) material formerly unavailable. POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL When I reviewed the first English edition of this book in 1984, I called it "the richest and most persuasive portrait of Conrad we have had or will probably ever have." Happily, however, the author hasn't rested on his laurels. Once again, Professor Najder sets the very highest biographical standard. Everything that has come to light about Conrad during the past quarter-century is now seamlessly integrated into the revised text. Many facts are new, but Najder's perspective remains unchanged -- because, quite simply, he got it exactly right the first time. -- Frederick Crews Najder's book is a thoroughly updated and revised version of his Conrad biography of 1983...Najder's forte is not only Conrad's Polish background but Conrad's Polish perspective which describes and 'translates' attitudes, mental states as well as cultural norms and values...unfamiliar to non-Polish readers. ZEITSCHRIFT FüR ANGLISTIK UND AMERIKANISTIK

The revisions to Zdzislaw Najder's Joseph Conrad further strengthen what was already the indispensable biography. They are extensive and substantial, incorporating not only Najder's own discoveries but those by such distinguished scholars as Andrew Busza, J. H. Stape, the late Sylvère Monod, and the late Hans van Marle. --Laurence Davies, University of Glasgow, General Editor of Conrad's Collected Letters

When I reviewed the first English edition of this book in 1984, I called it "the richest and most persuasive portrait of Conrad we have had or will probably ever have." Happily, however, the author hasn't rested on his laurels. Once again, Professor Najder sets the very highest biographical standard. Everything that has come to light about Conrad during the past quarter-century is now seamlessly integrated into the revised text. Many facts are new, but Najder's perspective remains unchanged -- because, quite simply, he got it exactly right the first time. --Frederick Crews

When Zdzislaw Najder's biography of Conrad first appeared . . . it immediately became the best, fullest and most reliable account of the novelist's life to date. The present revised edition . . . continues to hold this position of pre-eminence and, in all likelihood, will do so for many years to come. Najder combines factual accuracy and thoroughness with a striving for objectivity; while his consummate grounding in the three cultures from which Conrad's work emerges . . . enables him to provide background information crucial for a full understanding and appreciation of Conrad's writings. Moreover, Najder's systematic confrontation of documented reality with Conrad's mythologized versions of his own life not only gives us a clearer picture of the historical Conrad but throws valuable light on the structure of his mind and imagination. --Andrzej Busza, Associate Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia

Product Description

Joseph Conrad is not only one of the world's great writers of English -- and world -- literature, but was a writer who lived a particularly full and interesting life. For the biographer this is a double-edged sword, however: there are many periods for which documentation is uncommonly difficult. Zdzislaw Najder's meticulously documented biography first appeared in English in 1983, garnering high praise as the best, most complete biography of Conrad. Najder's command of English, French, Polish, and Russian allowed him access to a greater variety of sources than any other biographer, and his Polish background and his own experience as an exile have afforded him a unique affinity for Conrad and his milieu. All this has come into play once again in the present, extensively revised edition: much of its extensive new material was unearthed in newly-opened former east-bloc archives. There is new material on Conrad's father's genealogy and his role in Polish politics; Conrad's service in the French and British merchant marines; his early English reading and correspondence; his experiences in the Congo; the circumstances of writing his memoirs, and much more. In addition, several aspects of Conrad's life and works are more thoroughly analyzed: his problems with the English language; his borrowings from French writers; his attitude toward socialism, his reaction to the reception of his books.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 745 pages
• Publisher: Camden House (April 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157113347X
• ISBN-13: 978-1571133472
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,348,742 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Conrad as a man, June 17, 2008

By	Robert D. Wood "old man" (kc, ks) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book helps greatly in understanding the background and viewpoint of Conrad's works. It also characterizes Conrad as a very human and simple man. I came away almost pitying the man.