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Rating: 
Summary: From a "universal mind"
Review: Bede Griffiths, in his book The Golden String, referred to STC as "one of the most universal minds in English literature."I don't know of anything comparable to Biographia Literaria. At times it's the narrative of a great poet's life. He may veer off into literary criticism or even parody (see the, to me, hilarious section in which he gives "The House that Jack Built" in the rhetorical manner of a recent poet). He powerfully attacks the positivism of his age (and ours). He evokes the wonder of being human. This scholarly edition is the one to get, if you're going to put in the time to read this rich classic at all.
Rating:
Summary: From a "universal mind"
Review: Bede Griffiths, in his book The Golden String, referred to STC as "one of the most universal minds in English literature." I don't know of anything comparable to Biographia Literaria. At times it's the narrative of a great poet's life. He may veer off into literary criticism or even parody (see the, to me, hilarious section in which he gives "The House that Jack Built" in the rhetorical manner of a recent poet). He powerfully attacks the positivism of his age (and ours). He evokes the wonder of being human. This scholarly edition is the one to get, if you're going to put in the time to read this rich classic at all.
Rating:
Summary: From a "universal mind"
Review: Bede Griffiths, in his book The Golden String, referred to STC as "one of the most universal minds in English literature." I don't know of anything comparable to Biographia Literaria. At times it's the narrative of a great poet's life. He may veer off into literary criticism or even parody (see the, to me, hilarious section in which he gives "The House that Jack Built" in the rhetorical manner of a recent poet). He powerfully attacks the positivism of his age (and ours). He evokes the wonder of being human. This scholarly edition is the one to get, if you're going to put in the time to read this rich classic at all.
Rating:
Summary: Ageless visions in prose and circumstances in timeless words
Review: Coleridge was on the romantic side of poetry, however, when reading Kubla Khan, and Rime of the Ancient Mariner, you can't help but think there was some what of an explorer, an adventuristic style in his words that, save opium, had no way to bud a grow with all around hearts-a-bursting. I liken Pablo Neruda to Coleridge, their visions, love, and spirit's ferosity seem to have been forged from the same mettle. Grecian Urn, Nightingale and others should all be required reading for the young. I guarantee there would be a lot more wonder, and a little more love in this world.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL!!!! I LOVE XANADU!!!!!!
Review: I am almost as much in awe of the erudition of the editors (James Engell and W Jackson Bates of the Bolingen edition) as that of Coleridge himself. I think it is often easier to parade one's own wide reading than to recognize someone elses's references. These editors track down the most obscure of Greek, German and Latin quotations and it's an education to read their notes.
There are really three themes in the book. One part is philosophy, one is literary criticism, and one is straight autobiography. These are dispersed throughout.
As regards the philosophy I am probably what he would have called "ignorant of his understanding." Coleridge shows a remarkable knowledge of German philosophy, read in the original language. As far as I know his philosophical ideas have not been highly regarded by pure philosophers.
The literary criticism is the most powerful and original part although the texts he uses will be unfamiliar and even anaccessible to most modern readers.
The fragments of autobiography such as chapter 10 and the first of the Satyrayane's Letters are the most readable.
While this is an unboubted work of genius I have denied it the fifth star because of a certain lack of redability. It is not, for the modern reader, a page-turning work of entertainment. It contains many gems, and much wit, but is one of those we take up today for instruction rather than diversion.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome erudition
Review: I am almost as much in awe of the erudition of the editors (James Engell and W Jackson Bates of the Bolingen edition) as that of Coleridge himself. I think it is often easier to parade one's own wide reading than to recognize someone elses's references. These editors track down the most obscure of Greek, German and Latin quotations and it's an education to read their notes.
There are really three themes in the book. One part is philosophy, one is literary criticism, and one is straight autobiography. These are dispersed throughout.
As regards the philosophy I am probably what he would have called "ignorant of his understanding." Coleridge shows a remarkable knowledge of German philosophy, read in the original language. As far as I know his philosophical ideas have not been highly regarded by pure philosophers.
The literary criticism is the most powerful and original part although the texts he uses will be unfamiliar and even anaccessible to most modern readers.
The fragments of autobiography such as chapter 10 and the first of the Satyrayane's Letters are the most readable.
While this is an unboubted work of genius I have denied it the fifth star because of a certain lack of redability. It is not, for the modern reader, a page-turning work of entertainment. It contains many gems, and much wit, but is one of those we take up today for instruction rather than diversion.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL!!!! I LOVE XANADU!!!!!!
Review: I haven't actually read this book but I know the movie that it is based on, "Xanadu", which is about Olivia-Newton John and her love affair with this guy who is a painter and roller skater., It has a FANTASTIC ending which includes trapeze artists, guys in zoot suits, and formation roller skating all to an amazing disco soundtrack that highlights the music of Electric Light Orchestra, not to mention Olivia Newton John. I think my favorite part is when Gene Kelly does the dance routine inside the big pinball machine. That alone is worth reading this book for. I love the book and the movie. My sister used to dance around her room at night singing the theme song. I give it TEN STARS!!!
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