Life & Writings of Alexandre Dumas [Library Binding]

Harry A. Spurr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1972 | ISBN-10: 0838315496 | ISBN-13: 978-0838315491

A re-appraisal of the life and works of Dumas, the elder. The author attempts to rebut the critics of Dumas and to clarify the position of Dumas in French and world literature. ILLUS.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 321 pages
• Publisher: Haskell House Pub Ltd (June 1972)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0838315496
• ISBN-13: 978-0838315491
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,562,668 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good Not Great, August 10, 2009

By 

Doopadee (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life and Writings of Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870), The (Paperback)

This biography of Dumas, though thorough, lacks a certain readability which is typical of many biographies written in the early 1900's (this book was first published in 1902). Spurr doesn't dwell too long on Dumas' plays as he does his novel writings which the reader may appreciate (given that most readers won't be familiar with his stage works). I would recommend in place of this biography, "Alexandre Dumas,: A biography and study" by A. Craig Bell. The descriptive power of Bell makes the book read very quickly and his understanding of Dumas is unparalleled. I believe Bell (whose biography was published in 1950) was influenced by Spurr's however, in the fact that there are many similar quotes and stories which are identical. I found that Bell was able to make Dumas come alive in his descriptions of his life and works instead of Spurr, who seemed more caught up with dates and facts.