Adam Mickiewicz: The Life of a Romantic fully demonstrates Roman Koropeckyj's excellent biographical craftsmanship and, as such, it will be the main reference point for every student of Mickiewicz in the English-speaking world. Koropeckyj's impeccable scholarship is readily accessible and written with verve and brio. -Bozena Shallcross, University of Chicago Adam Mickiewicz: The Life of a Romantic at last ... Read moreprovides a definitive, sophisticated, accessible study of a major figure in Polish and European Romantic culture to an English-speaking audience. Roman Koropeckyj's book delivers a masterful, contextually well-grounded, and meticulously detailed biography of the great Polish poet and activist -this is a major artist's life story told by a supremely knowledgeable expert. -Beth Holmgren, Duke University A magisterial work. Roman Koropeckyj's astute, readable, beautifully researched biography marks a major contribution not just to Slavic scholarship, but to the field of European Romanticism generally. -Clare Cavanagh, Herman and Beulah Pearce Miller Research Professor in Literature, Northwestern University The best-researched and most readable biography of a major Romantic figure since Kenneth Johnston's 1998 book The Hidden Wordsworth, Roman Koropeckyj's Adam Mickiewicz: The Life of a Romantic covers the Polish national poet's life and works against the background of post-Napleonic Europe with scholarly sophistication, detailed accuracy, and masterful contextualization. The chapter on the years 1841-1846 is especially meticulous in its suggestive evocation of Mickiewicz's relationship with the trends and major Romantics of his time, and sets out beautifully the life and times of his reputation prior to his role in organizing the Polish legion in Italy. A model for future biographies of Romantics, Koropeckyj's work stands as a key source for future study of Polish Romanticism. -Prism(s): Essays in Romanticism This superb, meticulously researched, richly detailed book places the great Polish Romantic poet and patriot in the midst of European events of his time. . . . Koropeckyj portrays Mickiewicz (1798-1855) as a genuine human being full of Romantic thoughts and intentions yet distracted by amorous advances and his allegiance to Andrzej Towianski's schism. The flowing narrative is firmly grounded in scholarly research. . . . Providing vivid descriptions of historical events, political struggles, and Romantic turmoils in Europe, Koropeckyj reveals details unknown even to avid scholars of Polish literature. -Choice Show Less