George Gordon, Lord Byron FROM THE PUBLISHER
Described by a contemporary as "mad, bad, and dangerous to know," Byron has been haunted by his infamous reputation for over 200 years. This readable and lively biography of the poet examines his chaotic life story, full of contradictions--an aristocrat with republican views, a proponent of romantic love notorious for his casual relationships, a religious agnostic who admired Roman Catholicism. His work was sensational from the start; his first poetry collection was withdrawn from circulation because it contained explicit references to his romantic conquests. He traveled through Europe on horseback, and on his return to London published a poem--Childe Harold's Pilgrimage--based on his experiences abroad. The poem was a bestseller, which established Lord Byron's reputation as one of England's most talented poets and Romanticism's most recognizable symbol. Other successful poems followed, such as Don Juan and Bride of Abydos. Byron's scandalous love affairs made him a celebrity, but also forced him to spend more and more time away from England. He lived in Italy and Greece and actively participated in the revolutionary movements in both countries. He died in Greece from fever just as his soldiers were preparing to attack a Turkish position.
FROM THE CRITICS
School Library Journal
Gr 9 Up-Written in a loose, baggy, sometimes overly familiar style, this brief, well-illustrated biography isn't a half-bad introduction to one of the most romantic of Romantic poets. Packed with captivating illustrations and choice quotes, it will cheer the hearts and be balm to the frazzled minds of researchers trying to fill their quotation quota, and satiate them to their primary-source satisfaction. On the negative side, the index seems a bit sparse and the story often seems better told by the well-chosen pictures than the text, which occasionally is in need of one last grammar check. Also, there is no attempt to place Byron within the context of the greater "Romantic" movement, and there is merely a suggestion of his critical standing today. Nonetheless, in the absence of a sudden plethora of Byron bios battling for space on library shelves, this volume is a serviceable addition.-Herman Sutter, Saint Agnes Academy, Houston, TX Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
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