pickDelbanco‘s literary criticism is often insightful (it gave me some new elements to think about), and the descriptions of the historical context made me feel even closer to Melville‘s writing (political unrest! megalomaniac leaders! an economy that serves the needs of the wealthy on the backs of the workers! All in Melville‘s work). The biographical portions are weakest - the way he uses Melville‘s work to explain his life sometimes overreaches.
“What Melville found at sea was what other writers have found in war: a feeling of contact with the world that shocked him equally with moments of desire and dread.”
Perks of working at a library: your interlibrary loans are hand delivered when they arrive 📖
This is one of my shelves devoted to nautical items/ships/whales. I've never quite understood my fascination with nautical books, despite many college papers trying to figure it out. Love me some ships and sailors!😍🐳🌊⚓️⛵️#shelfie
Melville: His World and Work | 
