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Bohemians : Mark Twain and the San Francisco Writers Who Reinvented American Literature by Ben Tarnoff (2014, Hardcover)
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About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherPenguin Publishing Group
ISBN-10159420473X
ISBN-139781594204739
eBay Product ID (ePID)9038661256
Product Key Features
Book TitleBohemians : Mark Twain and the San Francisco Writers Who Reinvented American Literature
Number of Pages336 Pages
LanguageEnglish
Publication Year2014
TopicUnited States / Civil War Period (1850-1877), Literary, American / General
IllustratorYes
GenreLiterary Criticism, Biography & Autobiography, History
AuthorBen Tarnoff
FormatHardcover
Dimensions
Item Height1.1 in
Item Weight20.5 Oz
Item Length9.5 in
Item Width6.4 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceTrade
LCCN2013-028131
ReviewsPublishers Weekly : "Tarnoff's glimmering prose lends grandeur to this account of four writers (Mark Twain, Bret Harte, Charles Warren Stoddard, and Ina Coolbrith) who built 'an extraordinary literary scene' in the frontier boom town of 1860s San Francisco….The lively historical detail and loving tone of the interwoven biographies make a highly readable story of this formative time in American letters, starring San Francisco as the city that lifted 'Twain to literary greatness.'", Publishers Weekly : "Tarnoff's glimmering prose lends grandeur to this account of four writers (Mark Twain, Bret Harte, Charles Warren Stoddard, and Ina Coolbrith) who built 'an extraordinary literary scene' in the frontier boom town of 1860s San Francisco….The lively historical detail and loving tone of the interwoven biographies make a highly readable story of this formative time in American letters, starring San Francisco as the city that lifted 'Twain to literary greatness.'" Booklist : "Tarnoff energetically portrays this irresistible quartet within a vital historical setting, tracking the controversies they sparked and the struggles they endured, bringing forward an underappreciated facet of American literature. We see Twain in a revealing new light, but most affecting are Tarnoff's insights into Harte's 'downward spiral,' Stoddard's faltering, and persevering Coolbrith's triumph as California's first poet laureate.", San Francisco Chronicle : "Stylish and fast-paced literary history…. Tarnoff breathes fresh life into his narrative… giving us a rich portrait of a lost world overflowing with new wealth and new talent." Publishers Weekly : "Tarnoff's glimmering prose lends grandeur to this account of four writers (Mark Twain, Bret Harte, Charles Warren Stoddard, and Ina Coolbrith) who built 'an extraordinary literary scene' in the frontier boom town of 1860s San Francisco….The lively historical detail and loving tone of the interwoven biographies make a highly readable story of this formative time in American letters, starring San Francisco as the city that lifted 'Twain to literary greatness.'" Booklist : "Tarnoff energetically portrays this irresistible quartet within a vital historical setting, tracking the controversies they sparked and the struggles they endured, bringing forward an underappreciated facet of American literature. We see Twain in a revealing new light, but most affecting are Tarnoff's insights into Harte's 'downward spiral,' Stoddard's faltering, and persevering Coolbrith's triumph as California's first poet laureate.", The New Yorker "Tarnoff's book sings with the humor and expansiveness of his subjects' prose, capturing the intoxicating atmosphere of possibility that defined, for a time, America's frontier." San Francisco Chronicle "Tarnoff breathes fresh life into his narrative with vivid details from the archives… giving us a rich portrait of a lost world overflowing with new wealth and new talent... [A] stylish and fast-paced literary history." Chicago Tribune "Engrossing... By skillfully tracking the friendships and fortunes of this unusual quartet, Tarnoff narrates the awakening of a powerful new sensibility in American literature.... Tarnoff powerfully evokes the western landscapes, local cultures and youthful friendships that helped shape Twain. He has a talent for selecting details that animate the past." Wall Street Journal "Rich hauls of historical research, deeply excavated but lightly borne.... Mr. Tarnoff's ultimate thesis is a strong one, strongly expressed: that together these writers 'helped pry American literature away from its provincial origins in New England and push it into a broader current'." Boston Globe "Delightful.... Adeptly wrapping a wonderful story around these young writers, Tarnoff glides smoothly along, never dwelling too long and never claiming too much. He stacks fifty pages of endnotes at the back of the book but such archival sweat doesn't show in the prose." Washington Post "Tarnoff is a good storyteller and character-portraitist, with a deep knowledge of the West Coat." Minneapolis Star Tribune "Meticulously researched and exhilarating… Twain may be the main draw of Tarnoff's book, but Tarnoff's writing about a few of Twain's contemporaries - Bret Harte, Charles Warren Stoddard, Ina Coolbrith - is just as engaging." Kansas City Star "Tarnoff successfully contributes to the compendium [of Twain scholarship] with a fresh take on Twain's San Francisco circle, which was akin to the Algonquin Roundtable in Manhattan or 'Lost Generation' of writers in Paris." The Daily Beast "Lively… Tarnoff draws a vivid contrast between sardonic, sophisticated, and sartorially dapper [Bret] Harte, San Francisco's literary star, and the unkempt, uncouth Mark Twain who rolled into town in 1863, a scuffling newspaperman looking to move on and up from provincial Virginia City, Nevada." The New Yorker ''s Page-Turner blog "Tarnoff provides a fascinating snapshot of the era, when the city's prosperity and unique international character (he points out that in 1860 almost two-thirds of the city's adult males were foreign-born) brought about a thrilling, if chaotic, admixture of idealism and fun." The Oregonian "Deftly written, wholly absorbing." Publishers Weekly "Tarnoff's glimmering prose lends grandeur to this account of four writers (Mark Twain, Bret Harte, Charles Warren Stoddard, and Ina Coolbrith) who built 'an extraordinary literary scene' in the frontier boom town of 1860s San Francisco….The lively historical detail and loving tone of the interwoven biographies make a highly readable story of this formative time in American letters, starring San Francisco as the city that lifted 'Twain to literary greatness'." Booklist "Tarnoff energetically portrays this irresistible quartet within a vital historical setting, tracking the controversies they sparked and the struggles they endured, bringing forward an underappreciated facet of American literature. We see Twain in a revealing new light, but most affecting are Tarnoff's insights into Harte's 'downward spiral,' Stoddard's faltering, and persevering Coolbrith's triumph as California's first poet laureate.", San Francisco Chronicle : "Tarnoff breathes fresh life into his narrative with vivid details from the archives… giving us a rich portrait of a lost world overflowing with new wealth and new talent... [A] stylish and fast-paced literary history." Chicago Tribune : "Tarnoff powerfully evokes the western landscapes, local cultures and youthful friendships that helped shape Twain. He has a talent for selecting details that animate the past." The Wall Street Journal : "In 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad joined the country together and tore San Francisco apart. That's the conclusion afforded by two fine books: The Bohemians: Mark Twain and the San Francisco Writers Who Reinvented American Literature , Ben Tarnoff's nonfiction chronicle of the literary Bay Area in the 1860s and Emma Donoghue's historical novel of the 1870s, Frog Music . Rich hauls of historical research, deeply excavated but lightly borne, distinguishes both." Boston Globe : "Adeptly wrapping a wonderful story around these young writers; Tarnoff glides smoothly along….[A] delightful book." Publishers Weekly : "Tarnoff's glimmering prose lends grandeur to this account of four writers (Mark Twain, Bret Harte, Charles Warren Stoddard, and Ina Coolbrith) who built 'an extraordinary literary scene' in the frontier boom town of 1860s San Francisco….The lively historical detail and loving tone of the interwoven biographies make a highly readable story of this formative time in American letters, starring San Francisco as the city that lifted 'Twain to literary greatness.'" Booklist : "Tarnoff energetically portrays this irresistible quartet within a vital historical setting, tracking the controversies they sparked and the struggles they endured, bringing forward an underappreciated facet of American literature. We see Twain in a revealing new light, but most affecting are Tarnoff's insights into Harte's 'downward spiral,' Stoddard's faltering, and persevering Coolbrith's triumph as California's first poet laureate.", San Francisco Chronicle : "Tarnoff breathes fresh life into his narrative with vivid details from the archives… giving us a rich portrait of a lost world overflowing with new wealth and new talent... [A] stylish and fast-paced literary history." Chicago Tribune : "Tarnoff powerfully evokes the western landscapes, local cultures and youthful friendships that helped shape Twain. He has a talent for selecting details that animate the past." The Wall Street Journal : "In 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad joined the country together and tore San Francisco apart. That's the conclusion afforded by two fine books: The Bohemians: Mark Twain and the San Francisco Writers Who Reinvented American Literature , Ben Tarnoff's nonfiction chronicle of the literary Bay Area in the 1860s and Emma Donoghue's historical novel of the 1870s, Frog Music . Rich hauls of historical research, deeply excavated but lightly borne, distinguishes both." Boston Globe : "Adeptly wrapping a wonderful story around these young writers; Tarnoff glides smoothly along….[A] delightful book." The New Yorker Page-Turner Blog: "Tarnoff provides a fascinating snapshot of the era, when the city's prosperity and unique international character (he points out that in 1860 almost two-thirds of the city's adult males were foreign-born) brought about a thrilling, if chaotic, admixture of idealism and fun." Publishers Weekly : "Tarnoff's glimmering prose lends grandeur to this account of four writers (Mark Twain, Bret Harte, Charles Warren Stoddard, and Ina Coolbrith) who built 'an extraordinary literary scene' in the frontier boom town of 1860s San Francisco….The lively historical detail and loving tone of the interwoven biographies make a highly readable story of this formative time in American letters, starring San Francisco as the city that lifted 'Twain to literary greatness.'" Booklist : "Tarnoff energetically portrays this irresistible quartet within a vital historical setting, tracking the controversies they sparked and the struggles they endured, bringing forward an underappreciated facet of American literature. We see Twain in a revealing new light, but most affecting are Tarnoff's insights into Harte's 'downward spiral,' Stoddard's faltering, and persevering Coolbrith's triumph as California's first poet laureate."
Dewey Edition23
TitleLeadingThe
Dewey Decimal810.9/979461
Synopsis"The unforgettable story of the birth of modern America and the western writers who gave voice to its emerging identity" "The Bohemians" begins in 1860s San Francisco. The Gold Rush has ended; the Civil War threatens to tear apart the country. Far from the front lines, the city at the western edge roars. A global seaport, home to immigrants from five continents, San Francisco has become a complex urban society virtually overnight. The bards of the moment are the Bohemians: a young Mark Twain, fleeing the draft and seeking adventure; literary golden boy Bret Harte; struggling gay poet Charles Warren Stoddard; and beautiful, haunted Ina Coolbrith, poet and protectorate of the group. Ben Tarnoff s elegant, atmospheric history reveals how these four pioneering western writers would together create a new American literature, unfettered by the heavy European influence that dominated the East. Twain arrives by stagecoach in San Francisco in 1863 and is fast drunk on champagne, oysters, and the city s intoxicating energy. He finds that the war has only made California richer: the economy booms, newspapers and magazines thrive, and the dream of transcontinental train travel promises to soon become a reality. Twain and the Bohemians find inspiration in their surroundings: the dark ironies of frontier humor, the extravagant tales told around the campfires, and the youthful irreverence of the new world being formed in the west. The star of the moment is Bret Harte, a rising figure on the national scene and mentor to both Stoddard and Coolbrith. Young and ambitious, Twain and Harte form the Bohemian core. But as Harte s star ascends drawing attention from eastern taste makers such as the "Atlantic Monthly" Twain flounders, questioning whether he should be a writer at all.The Bohemian moment would continue in Boston, New York, and London, and would achieve immortality in the writings of Mark Twain. San Francisco gave him his education as a writer and helped inspire the astonishing innovations that radically reimagined American literature. At once an intimate portrait of an eclectic, unforgettable group of writers and a history of a cultural revolution in America, "The Bohemians" reveals how a brief moment on the western frontier changed our country forever.", Mark Twain roars into San Francisco in 1863. Pretty soon he's drunk on champagne, oysters, and the city's intoxicating energy. Twenty-seven years old, fleeing the Civil War and seeking adventure, Twain finds a global seaport flush with new money and peopled by fortune seekers from five continents. The war that is ravaging the rest of the country has only made San Francisco richer- the economy booms, and newspapers and magazines thrive, feeding the city's growing literary scene. The bards of the moment are the Bohemians, a band of young eccentric writers seeking to create a new American voice at the country's edge. There's literary golden boy Bret Harte; struggling gay poet Charles Warren Stoddard; and beautiful, haunted Ina Coolbrith, poet and protector of the group. Twain joins their ranks, and the experiences that follow put him on the path to greatness. The Bohemians find inspiration in their surroundings- the dark ironies of frontier humor, the extravagant tales told around the campfires, and the youthful irreverence of the new world being formed in the West. Harte is the group's star, a rising figure on the national scene and mentor to both Stoddard and Coolbrith. Young and ambitious, Twain and Harte form the Bohemian core, but as Harte's reputation grows - drawing attention from eastern tastemakers such as the Atlantic Monthly - a young Twain flounders, suffering a crisis of confidence that almost leads him to abandon writing altogether. Ben Tarnoff's elegant, atmospheric history reveals how these four pioneering western writers reinvented American literature by challenging the musty classicism of the eastern establishment. The Bohemian moment that began in San Francisco would continue in Boston, New York, and London, and would achieve immortality in the writings of Mark Twain. San Francisco gave him his education as a writer and helped inspire the astonishing innovations that radically reimagined American literature. At once an intimate portrait of an unforgettable group of writers and a history of a cultural revolution in America, The Bohemians reveals how a brief moment on the Far Western frontier changed our country forever. Praise for Ben Tarnoff's A Counterfeiter's Paradise 'Ben Tarnoff captures the wild early years of America's financial system . . . . It's a colorful tale but also an enlightening one that helps us understand our financial culture back then - and even today.' Walter Isaacson, author of Steve Jobs and Benjamin Franklin- An American Life 'Fascinating . . . history as it should be written, brimming with the sort of vivid details that make the past come alive.' Liaquat Ahamed, author of Lords of Finance 'Tarnoff is the genuine article. I welcome his voice to that tiny chorus of writers who can make American history come alive without dumbing it down.' Joseph J. Ellis, author of Founding Brothers and American Sphinx 'What an ingenious idea for a book and what a rousing story! A truly gifted writer, Ben Tarnoff has brought to life three unforgettable characters while at the same time providing a window onto the tumultuous financial situation that characterized early American life.' Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of The Bully Pulpit- Theodore Roosevelt , William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism and Team of Rivals 'Lively and insightful . . . makes the most out of the entertaining tale of three master counterfeiters, using their careers to open an unexpected window on the making of the American economic imagination.' T. J. Stiles, author of The First Tycoon- The Epic Life of Cornelous Vanderbilt and Jesse James- Last Rebel of the Civil War 'A rollicking good read.'
LC Classification NumberPS285.S3T37 2014
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