The Magnificent Ambersons

Booth Tarkington (1869 - 1946) was an American novelist and dramatist, known for most of his career as ¿The Midwesterner.¿ Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, Tarkington was a personable and charming student who studied at both Purdue and Princeton University. Earning no degrees, the young author cemented his memory and place in the society of higher education on his popularity alone¿being familiar with several clubs, the college theater and voted ¿most popular¿ in the class of 1893. His writing career began just six years later with his debut novel, The Gentleman from Indiana and from there, Tarkington would enjoy two decades of critical and commercial acclaim. Coming to be known for his romanticized and picturesque depiction of the Midwest, he would become one of only four authors to win the Pulitzer Prize more than once for The Magnificent Ambersons (1918) and Alice Adams (1921), at one point being considered Americäs greatest living author, comparable only to Mark Twain. While in the later half of the twentieth century Tarkington¿s work fell into obscurity, it is undeniable that at the height of his career, Tarkington¿s literary work and reputation were untouchable.

"Booth Tarkington's The Magnificent Ambersons is a delightful novel. In addition, it is a view of Indianapolis' evolution from a major marketing center to a great industrial city. It adds a new dimension to one's understanding of the coming of the Industrial Age to the State of Indiana." - Herman B Wells " . . . an admirable study of character and of American life." - New York Times
"With the tremendous emphasis on wealth and status in contemporary society, Tarkington's observations are as apt today as when first written. But that is what makes a classic, isn't it?" - Library Journal

Booth Tarkington The Magnificent Ambersons is a delightful novel. In addition, it is a view of Indianapolis' evolution from a major marketing center to a great industrial city. It adds a new dimension to one's understanding of the coming of the Industrial Age of the State of Indiana.