Reviews for Contemporary Authors, Vol. 62

The average rating for Contemporary Authors, Vol. 62 based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2011-03-21 00:00:00 Lynn Strazzere Memory's Library seemed interesting, but I ultimately got around to reading it as part of research I'm doing, and might not have finished it otherwise. The strengths of Memory's Library are that Summit is clearly a very intelligent scholar, with thoughtful insights into her subject, and is capable of a good turn of phrase as well. At the same time, however, the book has certain weaknesses, especially for the general reader. It's obviously written as a scholarly thesis, with phrases like "I will argue" appearing regularly. It's written for a very well-educated audience, as well; I'm an honors graduate of a four-year university and relatively well-read, including within English history, and even I found Memory's Library occasionally assuming background knowledge I couldn't supply. Yet, paradoxically, the book's most trying characteristic is its repetitiveness. Over and over, Summit proposes something, offers illustrations and explains her point, and then proceeds to belabor the same point two, three, four or more times. For those interested in the premise, Memory's Library is worth a look; just don't expect popular nonfiction writing.

Review # 2 was written on 2010-09-13 00:00:00 Aek Pisan enjoyed it, but wished summit talked more about cottin's library