The Poet and Dream Girl: The Love Letters of Lilian Steichen and Carl Sandburg [Paperback]

Carl Sandburg (Author), Lilian Steichen (Author), Margaret Sandburg (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 5, 1999

"One may read and appreciate the book for its scholarship and the cultural insights it offers on the pre-World War One era, but I suspect that most readers will delight in the emerging and appealing love story of Carl and Lillian. In our rather nihilistic age, "The Poet and the Dream Girl" acts as a kind of moral and philosophical tonic, making one believe again in all the possibilities for art, love, and social reform so passionately and beautifully espoused in these pages." - Dan Guillory, "Illinois Books. "

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Perhaps the finest collection of love letters in American literature."-John Hallwas, Journal Courier, Jacksonville, IL "This annotated collection of letters is an excellent volume for Sandburg aficionados, history buffs, those who appreciate a good love story-or all three."- -Jane Shealy, News Courier, Charleston, S.C. "One may read and appreciate the book for its scholarship and the cultural insights it offers on the pre-World War One era, but I suspect that most readers will delight in the emerging and appealing love story of Carl and Lilian. In our rather nihilistic age, The Poet and the Dream Girl acts as a kind of moral and philosophical tonic, making one believe again in all the possibilities for art, love, and social reform so passionately and beautifully espoused in these pages."-Dan Guillory, Illinois Books "The two have the heroic vitality of figures in a poem by Whitman. The wholehearted equality that comes rarely in most relationships seems to belong effortlessly to these lovers from the first. And what we feel is not amused, or contemptuous, or annoyed. What we feel is jealous." - Penelope Mesic, Chicago ADVANCE PRAISE "The letters of Steichen and Sandburg reveal their deep love for one another as well as their shared dedication to socialism. Most interesting is their very modern aspiration to unite both aspects into a genuine 'personal politics' of daily life. Students of American radical history will achieve rare insight into the arduous routine of the rank-and-file organizer. Scholars of women's history will locate a clearly articulated feminist desire for both intimacy and sexual liberation. Enjoyment is promised to all readers by the elegant prose and moving passages contained in this fine collection." - Mari Jo Buhle, author of Women and American Socialism, 1870-1920

Product Details

• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press (November 5, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252068491
• ISBN-13: 978-0252068492
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #807,312 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful well-written love story and socialist primer., August 21, 1998

By 

Valbie "perhapsacat" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Poet and Dream Girl: The Love Letters of Lilian Steichen and Carl Sandburg (Hardcover)

We think of socialists in one way, Carl Sandburg was probably not it. But his letters to his soon-to-be wife, Lillian Steichen, are full of his fabulous prose and whimsy. They met briefly in January, this book takes us from then until their marriage in June. Sweet and full of love, their letters also tell the story of the socialist party in the early 1900's.