Chaucer: His Life, His Works, His World
Condition: SECONDHAND
This is a secondhand book. The jacket image is a photograph of the exact copy we have in stock. This image shows the condition of this book. Further condition remarks are below.
Condition remarks:
Condition: Good to fair. Jacket: good, worn/faded (refer to image). Page Condition: Good - possible tanning. Markings: possible previous owner inscription.
In this monumental and award-winning biography, Stanford scholar Donald R. Howard reconstructs the life and era of Geoffrey Chaucer, the foundational voice of English poetry. Moving beyond the sparse biographical records of the 14th century, Howard weaves a rich tapestry that situates Chaucer as a courtier, soldier, and diplomat within a world defined by the "autumn of Feudalism," the devastation of the Black Death, and the political upheavals of the Hundred Years' War. The narrative serves as both an intimate look at the man himself—from his formative years as a vintner’s son to his service in the royal household—and a vibrant, sprawling portrait of a society in transition.Howard’s prose is characterized by a rare synthesis of rigorous historical inquiry and genuine literary empathy, elevating the study from a conventional life story to a profound meditation on the creative process. By exploring the deep connections between Chaucer’s personal experiences and his literary triumphs—most notably the human complexity found in The Canterbury Tales and the darker emotional landscapes of Troilus and Criseyde—the author demonstrates how Chaucer transformed the English language into a vehicle for true literary art. This volume stands as an indispensable resource for understanding the man who, while navigating the turbulent politics of his day, ultimately captured the enduring essence of the human spirit.
Author: Donald R. Howard
Format: Hardback
Genre: Biography
Condition remarks:
Condition: Good to fair. Jacket: good, worn/faded (refer to image). Page Condition: Good - possible tanning. Markings: possible previous owner inscription.
In this monumental and award-winning biography, Stanford scholar Donald R. Howard reconstructs the life and era of Geoffrey Chaucer, the foundational voice of English poetry. Moving beyond the sparse biographical records of the 14th century, Howard weaves a rich tapestry that situates Chaucer as a courtier, soldier, and diplomat within a world defined by the "autumn of Feudalism," the devastation of the Black Death, and the political upheavals of the Hundred Years' War. The narrative serves as both an intimate look at the man himself—from his formative years as a vintner’s son to his service in the royal household—and a vibrant, sprawling portrait of a society in transition.Howard’s prose is characterized by a rare synthesis of rigorous historical inquiry and genuine literary empathy, elevating the study from a conventional life story to a profound meditation on the creative process. By exploring the deep connections between Chaucer’s personal experiences and his literary triumphs—most notably the human complexity found in The Canterbury Tales and the darker emotional landscapes of Troilus and Criseyde—the author demonstrates how Chaucer transformed the English language into a vehicle for true literary art. This volume stands as an indispensable resource for understanding the man who, while navigating the turbulent politics of his day, ultimately captured the enduring essence of the human spirit.