This is My Own

by Rockwell Kent

First edition. Autobiographical sketches by Kent. This copy has been signed by Kent on the front free endpaper. Ends of spine chipped; ink inscriptions on half title. xvii, 393 pages. 1940 , thick 8vo., cloth.. Sloan and Pearce.

343 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1940

About the author

Rockwell Kent (June 21, 1882 – March 13, 1971) was an American painter, printmaker, illustrator, and writer.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rockwell Kent's most personal book is also his most idiosyncratic. Allegedly the tale of the first 15 years he lived in the Adirondacks, it is more a political and societal polemic. Written in the late 30s, published in 1940, it covers local, national and international politics from a distinctly left-wing angle. The art, as always, is impressive. The writing style is occasionally hard to take, and his fellow traveler support for the Soviet Union, especially after the Molotov-Ribbentrop Treaty split Poland in two, is cringe-inducing. Really three stars for writing and five for art, so four stars. Not for everybody.

[FP · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. I live near Asgaard so the history is interesting. But the author's writing is abysmal. Here's an example of what readers slog through: "The irony of Salisbury in thus apostrophizing the villainous King John on donning for the second time a crown that the plotted murder of a boy had seemed to secure to him." He's referring to irresponsible government spending.

Rockwell Kent was a great artist and an iconic patriot, abused by McCarthyism. Many neighbors disrespected him for appearing to be a Red. An editor could have transformed Kent's manuscript into a readable account of his Adirondack life. But Kent was probably too proud to submit his work to anyone for revision. Tragic.