A generous helping of Conrad Aiken's critical writings, from 1915 to 1955, this volume goes a long way toward understanding the man, the critic, the poet, the writer. His humble, yet profound understanding of the artists he reviews is a delight to read- especially the three self-effacing, harsh critiques he does of his own work early on. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants an accessible entryway into the world of literary criticism and the gifted artists it examines. ( )