Henry Fielding : A Life

Library Journal

Chosen by the London Sunday Times as one of the four best biographies of 1989, this study supersedes Wilbur Cross's three-volume History of Henry Fielding (Yale Univ. Pr., 1919) as the definitive account of Fielding's life. It includes much new information uncovered by the Battestins in their 14 years' research and provides a detailed description of the milieu: e.g., what Fielding studied at Eton; what kinds of cases he dealt with as a Westminster magistrate. Fielding emerges as a man much like his own Tom Jones, passionate and improvident but kind, dedicated to family and country, and hard working. General readers may prefer Pat Rogers's Henry Fielding ( LJ 1/15/80), a third the length, but no serious student of the man or the period can neglect the Battestins' important contribution. The full bibliography of Fielding's work is also most useful.-- Joseph Rosenblum, Univ. of North Carolina at Greensboro

Booknews

Fielding scholar Battestin's (English, U. of Virginia) new biography and reinterpretation employs considerable newly discovered information, including new facts, three previously unknown pictures of Fielding drawn from life, documents, manuscripts, and many important new letters. A beautifully realized project, enhanced by fascinating high-quality illustrations. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)