Novels 1871-1880: Watch and Ward, Roderick Hudson, The American, The Europeans, Confidence.

SUPERB: CLASSIC: AS-NEW First Edition hardcover (Orig. 1983) Fourth Printing (c. 2005), EXCELLENT cream-tan paper-over-boards slip-case w/ double gilt-rule-bordered front panel displaying gilt-stamped LOA logo at top center, IMMACULATE smooth-cut text-block exterior, NEW silk-finish sand-tan Brillianta linen-over-boards cover w/ sharp NEW edges & corners, IMPECCABLE white-on-tan LOA-patterned end-papers on heavy stock, NEW sewn binding w/ tight signatures & w/ tan-white-checked cloth bands at spine-caps & silk tan page-marker ribbon, PRISTINE interior handsomely printed in 10-point Linotron Galliard on SUPERB Ecusta Nyalite paper * 5.0" x 8.12" x 1.68", 0.82 kg, 1287 pp. In slipcase: 5.36" x 8.50 x 1.76", 0.92 kg * CONTENTS: Novels 1871-1880: Watch & Ward (1), Roderick Hudson (163), The American (513), The Europeans (873), Confidence (1039); Chronology (1253), Note on the Texts (1269), Notes (1279). * ABOUT THE BOOK: The first five novels of Henry James, presented complete in this volume, feature sparkling dialog, masterfully timed suspense, & the romance of youthful artistic aspirations. The contrast between Europe & America, which gives a special dimension to all of James' cultural observations, is brilliantly deployed in these early works. "Watch and Ward," written when James was 28, is a Bostonian version of the Pygmalion story. In "Roderick Hudson," a headstrong & gifted young American sculptor loses his way among the temptations of Italy. "The American" was written in Paris & dramatizes a confrontation between the expatriate culture of American tourists & the protected world behind the barriers of old families & traditions. "The Europeans," by contrast, places 2 visiting European cousins in a pristine & conservative New England village. The little-known & charming "Confidence" is a light drawing-room comedy about the romantic entanglements of Americans traveling through Europe. * Henry James (1843-1916), born in New York City, was the son of noted religious philosopher Henry James, Sr., & brother of eminent psychologist & philosopher William James. He spent his early life in America & studied in Geneva, London & Paris during his adolescence to gain the worldly experience so prized by his father. He lived in Newport, went briefly to Harvard Law School, & in 1864 began to contribute both criticism & tales to magazines. In 1869, & then in 1872-74, he paid visits to Europe & began his first novel, "Roderick Hudson". Late in 1875 he settled in Paris, where he met Turgenev, Flaubert, & Zola, & wrote "The American" (1877). In December 1876 he moved to London, where 2 years later he achieved international fame w/ "Daisy Miller". Other famous works include "Washington Square" (1880), "The Portrait of a Lady" (1881), "The Princess Casamassima" (1886), "The Aspern Papers" (1888), "The Turn of the Screw" (1898) & 3 large novels of the new century, "The Wings of the Dove" (1902), "The Ambassadors" (1903) & "The Golden Bowl" (1904). In 1905 he revisited the United States & wrote "The American Scene" (1907). During his career he also wrote many works of criticism & travel. Although old & ailing, he threw himself into war work in 1914, & in 1915, a few months before his death, he became a British subject. In 1916 King George V conferred the Order of Merit on him. He died in London in February 1916. * The LIBRARY of AMERICA is an award-winning, nonprofit program dedicated to publishing America's best & most significant writing in handsome, enduring volumes, featuring authoritative texts. Hailed as "the most important book-publishing project in the nation's history" (Newsweek), this acclaimed series is restoring America's literary heritage in "the finest-looking, longest-lasting edition ever made" (New Republic).