Length7h 33m
About this audiobook
H. L. Mencken's 'A Book of Prefaces' is a collection of critical essays that serves as a pioneering work in American literary criticism. Mencken, known for his wit and sharp tongue, dissects the prefaces of famous authors ranging from George Bernard Shaw to Joseph Conrad. Through his incisive commentary, Mencken not only offers insightful analysis of these prefaces but also delves into broader cultural and literary trends of the time. His writing style is characterized by a mix of satire, humor, and erudition, making it engaging and thought-provoking for readers interested in the intricacies of literature in the early 20th century. Mencken's unique perspective on the role of prefaces in shaping readers' perceptions of a work adds a layer of depth to the book, making it a valuable resource for students and scholars of literature. A must-read for anyone looking to delve into the mind of one of America's most influential literary critics.
In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A comprehensive Introduction outlines these selected works' unifying features, themes, or stylistic evolutions.
- The Author Biography highlights personal milestones and literary influences that shape the entire body of writing.
- A Historical Context section situates the works in their broader era—social currents, cultural trends, and key events that underpin their creation.
- A concise Synopsis (Selection) offers an accessible overview of the included texts, helping readers navigate plotlines and main ideas without revealing critical twists.
- A unified Analysis examines recurring motifs and stylistic hallmarks across the collection, tying the stories together while spotlighting the different work's strengths.
- Reflection questions inspire deeper contemplation of the author's overarching message, inviting readers to draw connections among different texts and relate them to modern contexts.
- Lastly, our hand‐picked Memorable Quotes distill pivotal lines and turning points, serving as touchstones for the collection's central themes.
Audiobook details
GenreLiterary Classics
Length7 hrs 33 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJan 4, 2022
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
7A Book of Prefaces (pt. 2)
2Introduction
8A Book of Prefaces (pt. 3)
3Author Biography
9Analysis
4Historical Context
10Reflection
5Synopsis (Selection)
11Memorable Quotes
Show all chaptersShow less
6A Book of Prefaces (pt. 1)
Notes on Democracy (Annotated)H. L. Mencken6h 9m$2 · $0.00
The Philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche (Annotated)H. L. Mencken10h 21m$2 · $0.00
A Book of Prefaces (Annotated)H. L. Mencken7h 52m$2 · $0.00
Prejudices, First Series (Annotated)H. L. Mencken7h 23m$2 · $0.00
Damn! A Book of CalumnyH. L. Mencken1h 9m$1 · $0.00
In Defense of WomenH. L. Mencken5h 52m$2 · $0.00
The American LanguageH. L. Mencken10h 52m$2 · $0.00
Prejudices, fifth seriesH. L. Mencken7h 16m$1 · $0.00
Prejudices: EssaysH. L. Mencken7h 15m$2 · $0.00
The American Credo (Annotated)H. L. Mencken, George Jean Nathan4h 27m$2 · $0.00
The Philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche (Summarized Edition)H. L. Mencken5h 3m$2
Notes on Democracy (Summarized Edition)H. L. Mencken2h 20m$2
Notes on DemocracyH. L. Mencken5h 52m$2 · $0.00
In Defense of WomenH. L. Mencken4h 36m$2 · $0.00
In Defense of WomenH. L. Mencken5h 58m$1 · $0.00
The American Language (Annotated)H. L. Mencken18h 39m$0.99 · $0.00
H. L. Mencken - Premium CollectionH. L. Mencken, George Jean Nathan51h 5m$2 · $0.00
The American Language: Development of English in the United StatesH. L. Mencken18h 31m$2 · $0.00
In Defense of Women (Annotated)H. L. Mencken6h 17m$0.99 · $0.00
Charles Dickens: Complete Works (Annotated)Charles Dickens818h 55m$0.99 · $0.00
The Complete Novels of Jane Austen & Brontë Sisters (Annotated)Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, Anne Brontë204h 15m$0.99 · $0.00
The Complete Works: Charlotte, Emily, Anne, Patrick & Branwell BrontëCharlotte Brontë, Anne Brontë, Emily Brontë138h 12m$1 · $0.00
The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde (Annotated)Oscar Wilde126h 19m$2 · $0.00
L. M. Montgomery – Premium Collection: Novels, Short Stories, Poetry & MemoirsLucy Maud Montgomery155h 1m$2 · $0.00
The Complete Works of the Brontë Family Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, Anne Brontë140h 13m$2 · $0.00
MARK TWAIN: 12 Novels, 195 Short Stories, Autobiography, 10 Travel Books, 160+ Essays & Speeches (Illustrated)Mark Twain415h 9m5.0 (2)$2 · $0.00
This Side of Paradise - The Original 1920 Edition (Annotated)F. Scott Fitzgerald11h 30m$2 · $0.00
The Great Gatsby: Original 1925 Edition (An F. Scott Fitzgerald Classic NovelFrancis Scott Fitzgerald4h 45m$18 · $0.00
The Complete Works: Novels, Short Stories, Plays, Articles, Essays, Travel Sketches and Memoirs (Annotated)Anthony Trollope1096h 4m$0.99 · $0.00
Ivanhoe (Annotated)Walter Scott22h 52m$2 · $0.00
The Complete Works of G. K. Chesterton (Annotated)G. K. Chesterton421h 37m$1.99 · $0.00
All NovelsGeorge Orwell53h 48m$10 · $0.00
The Complete Works of TolstoyLeo Tolstoy412h 44m$1 · $0.00
The Complete Works of Louisa May Alcott (Annotated)Louisa May Alcott226h 24m$0.99 · $0.00
Sherlock Holmes series - completeArthur Conan54h 8m$3.50 · $0.00
The Fire Next TimeJames Baldwin2h 25m$15
The Count of Monte Cristo (With Original Illustrations)Alexandre Dumas54h$1 · $0.00
H. P. Lovecraft: The Complete Fiction (Annotated)H. P. Lovecraft50h 45m$2 · $0.00
Braving the TruthRachel Held Evans11h 31m$29 · $0.00
You may also like
The Collected Works of Dale CarnegieDale Carnegie59h 32m$0.99 · $0.00
StoryRobert McKee6h 13m$24 · $0.00
The Master Key SystemCharles F. Haanel6h 33m$4 · $0.00
The World as Will and Idea (Vol. 1 of 3)Arthur Schopenhauer20h 17m$2.30
An Enquiry Concerning Human UnderstandingDavid Hume5h 59m$2.30
THE LAW OF SUCCESS Lesson Thirteen – COOPERATIONNapoleon Hill1h 39m$4.60 · $0.00
How to Master the Art of Selling Anything ProgramTom Hopkins10h 28m$25
Democracy and Education An Introduction to the Philosophy of EducationJohn Dewey15h 33m$2.30
Chess Strategy (Annotated)Edward Lasker9h 32m$2 · $0.00
Split the PieBarry Nalebuff8h 43m$26 · $0.00
1000 Paintings of GeniusVictoria Charles, Joseph Manca, Megan McShane, Donald Wigal14h 32m$18 · $0.00
The Man Who Was Goethe: Memoirs, Letters & Essays (Annotated)Johann Wolfgang von Goethe79h 58m$2 · $0.00
The Art of ControversyArthur Schopenhauer3h 13m$6 · $0.00
InflationIvy N. Crowhurst2h 19m$2.30 · $0.00
The Art of Logical Thinking, or, The Laws of ReasoningWilliam Walker Atkinson3h 50m$2.30
Insight OutTina Seelig5h 13m$24 · $0.00
Blackboard DrawingFrederick Whitney25m$2 · $0.00
Working TogetherMichael D. Eisner, Aaron R. Cohen7h 50m$26 · $0.00
The Seven Tensions of NegotiationCash Nickerson5h 35m$20
Man a Machine (Annotated)Julien Offray de La Mettrie7h 43m$2 · $0.00