
The Life of Goethe
A Critical Biography
John R. Williams(Author)
Wiley (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 5. August 2001
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-0-631-23173-8 (ISBN)
Description
Goethe established a major European reputation and profoundly influenced his contemporaries and literary successors, not least among them the British Romantic writers Coleridge, Scott, and Byron.
Offers a comprehensive one-volume study of a major European literary figure.
Deals in depth and detail with the totality of Goethe's output and activity.
Offers a comprehensive one-volume study of a major European literary figure.
Deals in depth and detail with the totality of Goethe's output and activity.
Reviews / Votes
"The Life of Goethe admirably fills a gap in Goethe studies. John Williams provides a patient and thorough life-story." Alain de Botton"Williams's study of Goethe's life and letters is a welcome contribution to Goethe scholarship. By translating all German citations, quotations, and references into English, Williams makes Goethe accessible to the English-speaking audience. "The German Quarterly
"Details importantly formative or influential are mentioned. All examples of significant experience conveyed in his poetry are given in both German as originally written and in English translation. "Psychological Reports
"To attempt a critical biography of a writer of Goethe's stature is no mean task and John Williams has shown that he is more than equal to it. He has provided what must be one of the most scholarly and readable accounts in English of Goethe's life and massive achievement. The style is lively and energetic and the English translations of the Goethe quotations are always apt and remarkably close to the original. This is an excellent book, lucid and penetrating. Dr Williams is to be congratulated on this major contribution to Goethe scholarship and for the infectious way in which he communicates his knowledge of, and love for, his subject." Forum for Modern Language Studies
"Intended for Germanists and non-Germanists alike, John Williams's The Life of Goethe: A Critical Biography deserves to go straight to the top of undergraduate reading lists. As a critical survey, it is hard to see this being surpassed." Modern Language Review
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Hoboken
United Kingdom
Publishing group
John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
513 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-631-23173-8 (9780631231738)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
09/1998
1st Edition
Wiley
€130.66
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
John R. Williams is honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of German at the University of St Andrews. He has published numerous scholarly articles on German literature and is the author of Goethe's 'Faust' (1987). In 1982 he was awarded a prize by the Theodor-Storm-Gesellschaft in an international competition for verse translation.
Content
List of Plates. Preface.
1. The Life.
2. The Lyric Poet.
3. The Dramatist.
4. The Novelist: Prose and Verse Narratives.
5. The Scientist.
Conclusion.
Notes.
Bibliography.
Index.
Index to Goethe's Works.
1. The Life.
2. The Lyric Poet.
3. The Dramatist.
4. The Novelist: Prose and Verse Narratives.
5. The Scientist.
Conclusion.
Notes.
Bibliography.
Index.
Index to Goethe's Works.