Table of Contents
Bergs whole narrative is first-rate-filled with humor and feeling. Max would have published it in a minute.Newsweek
A labor of love, one pursued by Berg with a single-minded devotion ... The result, a long and comprehensive but never tedious book, completely justifies all the effort ... A very large accomplishment.
Jonathan Yardley, The Miami Herald
A fully achieved biography of a man whose career and life were marvels of self-effacement. It gives a wealth of insight into the creative process.
Peter Davison, The New York Times Book Review
A welcome biography ... a definitive work.
St. Louis Globe-Democrat
A. Scott Bergs biography is, surprisingly, the first major study of this legendary figure, and it would thus be welcome for that reason alone. But this superb book is so meticulously researched, so richly detailed, so beautifully cultured, that it will undoubtedly become an indispensable account of modern literary life in America, as well as a highly rewarding portrait of a man previously hidden behind the scenes ... While lamenting a lack of space to describe fully the incredibly fascinating detail that marks so much of this outstanding book, we must recommend A. Scott Bergs biography of Max Perkins as one of the most important, most readable books of the year. The Dallas Morning News
Beautifully written ... an exciting portrait of an era.
Howard Kissell, Womens Wear Daily
A delightful biography, rich in literary anecdotes, and a mine of advice for writers and editors.Publishers Weekly
It is a pity that Perkins could not see the manuscript of his biography. He enjoyed finding promising young writers, and Berg, 28, is one of that small group ... Although Perkins would have been embarrassed by the attention, Bergs tribute would have touched him.Time
A. Scott Bergs Max Perkins: Editor of Genius seems such a natural that it makes you wonder why no one ever thought of writing such a book before. [Among] the virtues of this biography is that Perkins emerges from the shadows ... The details enrich the legend.Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, The New York Times
Max Perkins was the best of the best. This book brings him back alive.
Erskine Caldwell
A book about Maxwell Perkins? Of course! Why didnt someone think of it before? ... Berg has done very well ... Its a fascinating and illuminating story. Chicago Sun-Times
As complete a Max Perkins as we will ever need. Its an extraordinary vivid portrait ... Berg documents the Perkins-Wolfe season in hell as no one else ever has.Webster Schott, The Washington Post Book World
All his life and since his death, Max Perkins has remained a kind of shadow figure ... but now, with A. Scott Bergs comprehensive and readable biography, hes sure to come into his own ... Theres not a speck of pedantry in Bergs book and I for one thank him for it.Judson Hand, New York Daily News
Berg has done a fine job of assembling and organizing a vast amount of fascinating material.St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Though he is not of Perkinss generation, Berg has a real feel for it and for Perkins, and does justice to him and his geniuses.Wilmingron Sunday News Journal
Berg makes the major revelation of a long, discreet, and (perhaps regretfully) platonic love affair between Max and Elizabeth Lemmon ... Their correspondence enriches the biography immeasurably ... This is a significant book. Larry Swindell, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Extraordinary ... Berg brings Perkins and his writers to life ... With access to the most intimate and detailed files from the publishers, Berg has drawn together a massive book that Perkins would have been proud to edit. There is a good story about someone on nearly every page.The Houston Post
Berg displays immense talent in his writing, keeping it dramatic, suspenseful and lively, yet never losing sight of the fact that this is a serious work. For those who are avid readers of biographies, this book will come as a delightful and rewarding surprise. For those students of literature and those who labor in it, the comments and writings of Perkins will stand out as beacons of light in a sometimes darkened world ... With this book alone Berg now appears to be one of the major new literary talents of the last quarter of the 20th century.San Diego Union
Wolfe, Fitzgerald and Hemingway scholars will find this book a valued source of new information and a highly readable, warm and enjoyable biography. Those who are not scholars will find this biography flows like a novel.The Charlotte Observer
One reads these pages with awe and admiration for both their subject and for the remarkable young biographer.Baltimore Evening Sun
Perkins turns out to have been as fascinating, dark, complex, and sad as any of his golden boys. A lovely book about the age of giants and the extraordinary man in the shadows behind them.Russell Baker
A. Scott Berg, who came to Perkins through an early enthusiasm for Fitzgerald, has gone deeply into his subject, and done so with attention to detail and something like love ... Superb biography ... Perkinss fruitful and tortuous relationship with Wolfe is brilliantly described.Washington Star
This is the first major study of Perkins, and Berg has done a masterful job ... both a fascinating chronicle of Perkinss contribution to American literature and a collection of wonderful anecdotes ... a fine book.Newsday
A sympathetic, full-bodied treatment of Perkins.Richmond News Leader
Nothing previously published will prepare the reader for this stunning new biography. Bergs depth of research is simply astounding. He not only brings Perkins vividly on stage, but also all the major figures in an exciting and pivotal era of American letters ... a sweeping, landmark biography ... superb.Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Magnificent ... Berg vividly demonstrates how Perkins changed the conception of an editors function and how he thereby came to influence American literary taste as no other man for 30 years.Boston Herald American
Packed with diverting anecdotes.The New Yorker
Splendid ... fills a gaping void in the history of American literature in the first half of this century ... His greatest achievement, aside from showing us exactly how a truly great editor functioned, is to remind those of us who love books even remotely as much as Perkins, what we owe him.Kansas City Star
[Berg] has marshalled much material to bring the editor to life, to prove that lonely, hard-drinking, eccentric Perkins was, as the books subtitle says, an editor of genius.
Doris Grumbach, Saturday Review
To my friend
Carlos Baker
and
my parents
Barbara and Richard Berg
Through the unheeding many he did move, A splendour among shadows, a bright blot Upon this gloomy scene, a Spirit that strove For truth, and like the Preacher found it not.
