Criticism Books

A history of Italian literature

Richard Garnett

The comparative—though only comparative—paucity of authors in Italy is so far favourable to the historian working on a small scale, that it allows a more expansive treatment of the greatest men, and a..

Music and Life

It is the purpose of this book, then, to lead the reader by what capacity he possesses to such an understanding of the art of music as shall make every part of it intelligible to him. And since some r..

On Translating Homer

Mathew Arnold

The frame of mind in which we approach an author influences our correctness of appreciation of him; and Homer should be approached by a translator in the simplest frame of mind possible. Modern sentim..

Pictorial Beauty on the Screen

Victor Oscar Freeburg

If I look upon a motion picture as a kind of substitute for some stage play or novel, it seems to me a poor thing, only a substitute for something better; but if I look upon it as something real in it..

Impromptu - How to Think on Your Feet

Grenville Kleiser

The game of "Impromptu" is the outgrowth of an exercise devised by the author and used by him in The Public Speaking Club of America. A conscientious student will endeavor to make each succeeding effo..

The Seven Lively Arts

Gilbert Seldes

This book was written while on holiday some three thousand miles away from data, documents, and means of verification. It is written from memory and, although I have had time and have tried to check u..

The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce, Volume XII

Ambrose Bierce

Jack says one time a other sailor hired out as mate of a ship which the captain of had a pet kangaroon. One day fore the ship sailed the mate was lyin in his bunk, and the kang it come in and looked a..

That Marvel—The Movie

Edward S. Van Zile

To grasp the past progress, the present significance and the future possibilities of the motion picture; to express them with restraint and yet with clarity.The other arts are old. Music was born with..