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The Summing Up (Penguin 20th Century Classic) (Paperback)

~ W. Somerset Maugham (Author)

4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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Hardcover, Import Available from these sellers. Published December 31, 1937	Hardcover, Import, December 31, 1937	--	--	$2.99
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Paperback Available from these sellers. Published August 31, 1992	Paperback, August 31, 1992	--	$39.95	$10.89
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Mass Market Paperback Available from these sellers. Published December 31, 1950 Mass Market Paperback: A smaller paperback commonly used for bestsellers and genre fiction.	Mass Market Paperback, December 31, 1950	--	--	$5.15
Audio, Cassette, Unabridged Published December 22, 1999	Audio, Cassette, Unabridged	--	--	--
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Unknown Binding Available from these sellers. Published December 31, 1938	Unknown Binding, December 31, 1938	--	--	$7.50
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

THE SUMMING UP represents Maugham's life and philosophy in his own words. It is autobiographical in nature, though most of the work is concerned with Maugham's unique and fascinating opinions on the theatre, writing, metaphysics and the interesting people he encountered in his long and successful career. His style is very conversational and you feel yourself settling into an intellectual odyssey led by a man who lived life to its fullest. Sixty years after THE SUMMING UP was published, Maugham's controversial insights and opinions continue to stimulate conversation and debate. This is one of the most entertaining, self-revealing pieces of all time. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

WILLIAM SOMERSET MAUGHAM, (1874 - 1965), was born at the height of British Imperial power. When he died, the British Empire was all but a memory. In Maugham's lifetime, as his civilization slowly disappeared, people from all walks of life - the proud, the urbane, the crude, the desperate - passed beneath the lens of his dispassionate scrutiny. Transformed into some of the most unforgettable literary works of the 20th century, his experiences re-emerged in his plays, fiction and essays. No other writer possessed his keen ability of observation. It was an ability so well honed that his work makes you feel as if you have been drawn into an intimate conversation with the century's most arresting and sophisticated personality. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

Paperback: 208 pages
Publisher: Penguin Classics (September 1, 1992)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 014018600X
ISBN-13: 978-0140186000
Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces

Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #732,826 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	61% buy the item featured on this page: The Summing Up (Penguin 20th Century Classic) 4.7 out of 5 stars (15)
	13% buy A Writer's Notebook (Vintage International) 5.0 out of 5 stars (1) $10.88
	12% buy Collected Short Stories: Volume 4 (Penguin Twentieth Century Classics) 4.9 out of 5 stars (18) $12.24
	7% buy Theatre 4.1 out of 5 stars (10) $11.16

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews

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4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
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4.7 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the century's best essayists at his best., March 30, 1999

By A Customer

By his account, W. Somerset Maugham was a first-rate writer of the second rank. In a career that saw him become a highly respected dramatist, short story writer, and novellist (Of Human Bondage and The Razor's Edge are two novels made into successful movies) Maugham learned a thing or two about writing. The Summing Up is a literary memoir of the first rank. While his plays, short stories and novels earned him worldwide fame, his essays stand up best, and this book shows his talents at their finest. My favourite passage is his essay on the anatomy of good writing, but others stand out as well. Anyone interested in a writer's life, or life in general, should enjoy this book.

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a conversation with a cultured friend, March 6, 2001

By	R. J. Marsella (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This is much more a rambling collection of random thought that occassionally organizes around a subject such as theatre or philosophy and then moves on. Reading it is like sharing a conversation over a brandy with a congenial and intellegient old friend. For fans of Maugham this is an enjoyable read which provides insight into how much of his personal experience is reflected in his works such as Of Human Bondage and Moon and Sixpence. While not necessarily agreeing with him on every point that he makes ,I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation and would deem him a person well worth knowing. Like all his works ,this is extraordinarily well written and lucid. If you are unfamiliar with his novels or short stories or are looking to try reading him for the first time I would recommend starting elsewhere. This requires some experience with his work to be fully appreciated.

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vintage Maugham!, July 8, 2000

By	W.Khan (Providence, RI United States) - See all my reviews

I first read this book on a transcontinental flight and got hooked on Maugham rightaway.Since then I have devoured every word by the master and have scarcely found a dull paragraph____well, the only boring one being the novel "Then and Now"....not a bad batting average for such a prolific writer!In this book Maugham offers us a broad panorama of his artistic development without a trace of frippery or humbug(typical Maugham!) These pages are leavened with mordant observations on the art of writing,life,death,the paintings of El Greco,philosophy,love(unrequited),money and CONCUPISCENCE !The scope of this short book is sweeping____the distillation of a half a century of civilised thinking .Highly recommended & happy reading!

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for the writer and lay person
If you want to know anything about Somerset Maugham, skip all bios and read this. All things written about the man spring from "The Summing Up" and it is a wealth of information... Read more

Published 11 months ago by Schreiber

5.0 out of 5 stars Creativity left behind
While books by the gazillion exist providing all of the secrets for improving one's style, marketability, plot, grammar, etc, there is no literary work I am aware of that touches... Read more

Published on September 28, 2007 by T. E. Leonard

5.0 out of 5 stars The artist is the only free man.
Somerset Maugham sums up his vision on mankind, the English, morals and art (theatre, the novel). It is a penetrating and very modern view. Read more

Published on July 4, 2003 by Luc REYNAERT

5.0 out of 5 stars Like sitting at the feet of the master!
Maugham has always been one of my favorite writers. He was an Edwardian gentleman in every sense of the word. Read more

Published on December 10, 2002 by litxman

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Pleasure!
This audio presentation of 'The Summing Up' was masterfully presented by Charlton Griffin. I have read several of Maugham's works and consequently found the content of this book... Read more

Published on October 6, 2002

4.0 out of 5 stars Read the book if you are a Maugham fan
I do not mean to discourge pepole from reading this book if they are not Maugham's fans. I have read the book twice or three times. Read more

Published on August 24, 2001 by Reza Vahab

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolutely astounding passage:
I've misplaced my copy of this book or else I would quote the passage. A little background first: this is this is a well written (5 star) autobiography of W. Read more

Published on January 22, 2001 by A. Rohlev

3.0 out of 5 stars Concerns on reading Maugham
In subject matter (the arts, philosophy) The Summing Up reminds me of the Journals of Andre Gide. However, unlike when reading Maugham, when reading Gide, you immediately know... Read more

Published on September 28, 2000 by Jay Parker

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't make this the first Maugham book you read....
This book was this author's last: because of that, it makes a lot more sense to read it after you are familiar with a smattering of his other works. Read more

Published on August 29, 2000 by J. Michael Showalter

5.0 out of 5 stars Vintage Maugham!
I first read this book 12 years ago on a transcontinental flight and got hooked on Maugham rightaway. Read more

Published on July 8, 2000 by W.Khan

› See all 15 customer reviews...

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