Letters, Fictions, Lives Henry James and William Dean Howells

This volume attempts to determine the early influence shared betweenHowells and James by reconstructing and evaluating documentary evidence of theirliterary cross-fertilization. Of the 151 letters included in this volume --most of the extant correspondence between the two men -- only half have beenprinted elsewhere. All items previously unpublished are letters by James. Theselection represents each writer's most significant criticism of the other,providing a valuable tool for historically informed comprehension andappreciation of both men's work.