On Second Thought

Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1946 WYSIWYG pricing--no added shipping charge for standard shipping within USA. Grey cloth with writers' names printed in red on boards, [vi], 264 pp, index to authors and titles. Corners lightly bumped, tail of spine turned in, some edge wear. DJ soiled and worn, with two 1" chips, and smaller chips and tears at corners; in Brodart archival cover. Selected book reviews from Gray's 20 years with the St. Paul Pioneer Press and St. Paul Dispatch, along with connecting essays written for this book. Gray says of his profession: "The relationship of a newspaper reviewer to the art of letters is a curious one. Opinions are produced in reckless submission to the demand of journalism, which is that the timely topic must be wrapped up in glib and authoritative finalities and tossed at the front doors of all the literate citizens of the neighborhood no later than five o'clock of each afternoon. There is no time to roll judgement under the tongue, to test its flavor for either cloying sweetness or tart imprudence. The newspaper god of immediacy must be served in the knowledge that he is indulgent toward critical caprice but implacable in his distaste for critical uncertainty." The connecting essays provide the context for these morsels of critical caprice, giving the historical background and the author's second thoughts. Shipping weight 2 lbs. (International 1 lb., 12 oz.). First Edition. . Very Good/Good. 22 X 14½ cm.