By and Large

by Franklin P. Adams

This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1914

About the author

Franklin Pierce Adams (November 15, 1881, Chicago, Illinois – March 23, 1960, New York City, New York) was an American columnist (under the pen name FPA) and wit, best known for his newspaper column, "The Conning Tower," and his appearances as a regular panelist on radio's Information Please. He was a member of the Algonquin Round Table of the 1920s and 1930s.

Reviews

[Vicious Circle · Rating 4 out of 5]

By and Large is FPA’ third book taken from his newspape once again transforms Latin masterpieces into snappy, early 20th century vernacular. But he also continues such obsessions as finding a decent cook. As in earlier books, he pens not always flattering words to a maiden named Myrtilla and writes contemptuously of poets who disregard convention – his campaign against blank verse (and Amy Lowell in particular) would continue for years. Frank bemoans the Broadway stage, fashion and journalism, and recounts baseball games through the voices of famous authors of the time. The reader is given a sense of the City, as Adams mentions the demolition of the old Astor House and New York Sun building and the erection of the Woolworth tower. A more serious tone is used in reflecting on the infamous Triangle fire. The book ends with him giving readers a hint that he’s switching newspapers.