Gary Scharnhorst Knihy

Owen Wister's contributions to the Western genre extend beyond mere storytelling; he used his narratives to address social and political issues such as race, women's rights, and immigration. This biographical-literary exploration by Gary Scharnhorst delves into how Wister's experiences in the West influenced his writings and shaped his perspectives, despite his residence in the East. The book highlights Wister's role in transforming the Western into a platform for critical commentary on contemporary topics.

The collection provides an intimate glimpse into the life of Sinclair Lewis through the eyes of his contemporaries, friends, and associates. These reminiscences and memoirs highlight the complexities of his character and the impact he had as a Nobel Prize-winning writer, offering readers a deeper understanding of his significance in American literature.

This book begins the first multi-volume biography of Samuel Clemens to appear in over a century. In the succeeding years, Clemens biographers have either tailored their narratives to fit the parameters of a single volume or focused on a particular period or aspect of Clemens’s life, because the whole of that epic life cannot be compressed into a single volume. In The Life of Mark Twain , Gary Scharnhorst has chosen to write a complete biography plotted from beginning to end, from a single point of view, on an expansive canvas. With dozens of Mark Twain biographies available, what is left unsaid? On average, a hundred Clemens letters and a couple of Clemens interviews surface every year. Scharnhorst has located documents relevant to Clemens’s life in Missouri, along the Mississippi River, and in the West, including some which have been presumed lost. Over three volumes, Scharnhorst elucidates the life of arguably the greatest American writer and reveals the alchemy of his gifted imagination.

Featuring around 500 authentic recipes, this collection showcases the culinary preferences of over 150 notable American authors from the late 18th century onwards. It serves as an engaging resource for amateur chefs and food enthusiasts eager to explore literary history through cuisine. Additionally, it can be utilized by literature instructors and scholars for educational purposes while providing enjoyment for general readers. Notable contributors include figures like Emily Dickinson, William Faulkner, and Ernest Hemingway, making it a unique blend of celebrity cookbook and literary anthology.

The author, a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English, explores the life of Kate Field, a prominent 19th-century American journalist. The book delves into her multifaceted career and contributions to journalism, highlighting her influence and legacy in a time when women's voices were often marginalized. Through detailed research and engaging narrative, it offers insights into Field's experiences and the broader context of her era.