At the end of the nineteenth century, when he was at the height of his career, James Whitcomb Riley was the most popular poet in America. Few literary figures have ever become so famous during their lifetimes. He was the author of such American favorites as "Little Orphan Annie," "The Frost is on the Pumpkin," and "The Raggedy Man." His poetry anthologies were major bestsellers, and his public readings were regular sellouts. Respected men of letters such as William Dean Howells and Mark Twain highly regarded Riley's work and believed that he was a poetic genius who expressed the sentiments of the American people. It is not inappropriate to see him as the Charles Dickens of the Midwest. Nevertheless, intellectuals tend to dismiss Riley, although he remains a cultural icon in his home state of Indiana.Historian Elizabeth J. Van Allen investigates both the reasons for the overwhelming popularity of the poet at the turn of the century and his importance as a cultural figure and definer of his times. Van Allen not only sheds new light on Riley's cultural significance but also elucidates many aspects of the poet's life that have been mythologized and exaggerated. When he was alive, the general public was so interested in Riley's life that newspaper and magazine reporters throughout the nation sought him out for interviews. With these reporters, his publishers, and his promoters, Riley created an image of himself that served to broaden his celebrity and sell his poetry.Through this process, he established a public persona that resembled the simple, homespun characters that appear in many of his poems. Over time it has become increasingly easy to confuse Riley the poet with his work. Legends and rumors which have grown up around Riley have either elevated him as a hero who gave Hoosiers a pride of place or denigrated him as a drunken author of Victorian doggerel. Van Allen sifts facts from fiction to construct as true a portrait of Riley as possible in the contest of the society in which he lived. Elizabeth J. Van Allen is an honors graduate of Indiana University who received her Ph.D. in history from Yale University. She is a former historian of the James Whitcomb Riley Memorial Association where she was Senior Editor for and contributor to the book, "Keeping the Dream", which celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Association.

"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

Book Booth

Berea, OH, U.S.A.

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since January 3, 2002

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Item	5 to 14 business days	3 to 6 business days
First item	£ 4.45	£ 9.58

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.

Payment methods

Cash
Check
Money Order
Paypal

Seller's business information

Book Booth

OH, U.S.A.

Contact sellerView this seller's itemsView seller's storefront

Terms of sale

Checks and money orders are also accepted; please make checks or money orders payable to
Carol Casciani
441 W. Bagley Rd.
#173
Berea OH 44017

International orders must be payable in US dollars payable to a US bank. Library and Institutional orders welcome; please email us if you require any special handling.

Shipping and Handling: all books shipped in USA via USPS, Media Mail (may take 7-14 business days for delivery): $4.00 for first volume, $1.50 each additional volume; or, Priority Mail (2-4 business days for delivery) $6.00 for first volume, $2.50 each additional volume. International orders:if you are purchasing with a check or money order, please request shipping and handling rates.

Returns for reasonable grading of condition: e-mail prior to return for shipping instructions.

Right of withdrawal

If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.

Information regarding the right of withdrawal

Statutory right to withdraw

You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.

To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.

To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.

Effects of withdrawal

If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).

We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.

We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.

We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.

We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.

You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Book Booth, Berea, Ohio, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

Exceptions to the right of withdrawal

The right of withdrawal does not apply to:

The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.

Shipping terms

Payment accepted via credit card, check/money order, or PayPal. Credit cards accepted via ABEbooks or PayPal ONLY -- please do not send us your credit card information, as we have no way of processing it ourselves. Our PayPal account is bookbooth@usa.com. If paying via PayPal, please remember to include shipping & handling charges. Checks and money orders are also accepted; please make them payable to: C.M. Casciani, 441 W. Bagley Rd. #173, Berea OH 44017. Library and institutional orders welcome; please email us if you require any special handling. International orders must be payable in US dollars. SHIPPING & HANDLING: all books shipped in USA via USPS; Media Mail 7-14 business days for delivery, $4.00 for first book - $1.50 each additional book; or, Priority Mail 2-4 business days for delivery, $6.00 first book - $2.50 each additional book. Returns for reasonable grading of condition; email us prior to return for shipping instructions.

James Whitcomb Riley: A Life

Item description from seller

Bibliographic details

Synopsis

About the title

About the Author

Book Booth

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Payment methods

Seller's business information

Terms of sale

Right of withdrawal

Shipping terms