The Pentecost of Calamity
Owen Wister
Sep 2022 · DigiCat
Ebook
34
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About this ebook
Owen Wister's 'The Pentecost of Calamity' stands as a poignant reflection on the cultural and intellectual tumult wrought by the onset of the First World War. The work, expertly resuscitated by the meticulous efforts of DigiCat Publishing, is more than a simple historical account; it is a profound examination of human folly, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of civilization amidst destruction. Presented in a style that marries the ornate narrative prose of the early 20th century with a prescient analysis emblematic of the era's gravest concerns, Wister's text serves as a remarkable artifact of its time, addressing themes that continue to resonate in the contemporary literary context. Owen Wister, primarily known for his influential Western, 'The Virginian', approaches 'The Pentecost of Calamity' with the same narrative vigor, but with his lens focused on global catastrophe rather than the American frontier. His personal experiences and the prevailing intellectual atmosphere of the pre-war period undoubtedly shaped this lesser-known but fiercely impactful work. His insights and the evocative language used to illustrate them confer upon the book a sense of immediacy and relevance, making it an influential contribution to the canon of early American non-fiction. 'The Pentecost of Calamity' is thus recommended not only for its historical significance but also for its literary merit. Scholars of American literature, enthusiasts of early 20th-century writing, and readers interested in the socio-political climate preceding the Great War will find in Wister's prose a powerful testament to the era. This work, now thoughtfully republished, invites a modern audience to engage with a narrative that, while firmly rooted in its own tumultuous epoch, continues to speak to the persistent complexities of human civilization.
About the author
Owen Wister (1860–1938) was an American writer and is considered the father of Western fiction. Born into a prominent Philadelphia family, he was educated at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, and later at Harvard College, where he graduated in 1882. Originally intent on a career in music, Wister's journey took a turn after health concerns prompted him to move to the American West, where he found inspiration in the landscape and culture, profoundly shaping his literary career. One cannot discuss Wister's contributions without mentioning his seminal work, 'The Virginian' (1902), a novel that essentially created the cowboy hero archetype and set the tone for the genre of Western novels. However, his oeuvre is not limited to Westerns. Among his influential works is 'The Pentecost of Calamity' (1915), a non-fiction exploration of Germany and the onset of World War I, offering a keen examination of German society and the roots of the conflict from the perspective of an American observer. Wister's writing, while often engaged with themes of masculinity and the frontier, is characterized by an understated humor and an allegiance to social order. His Harvard education and patrician background reveal themselves in his polished prose and acute awareness of human nature. Over his lifetime, Wister produced a diverse body of works, including novels, short stories, and essays that reflected his deep appreciation for the American West and his insights into its culture and people.
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