Home at Grasmere: The Wordsworths and the Lakes

This brief, intelligently written, yet thoroughly accessible biography of Wordsworth offers a sensitive and thoughtful account of his life, his circle of friends and family, and of the historical context that influenced him. The author does a particularly good job of weaving her clear and entertaining text together with excerpts from Wordsworth's poems and other writings. Excerpts from Coleridge, Dorothy Wordsworth, and other key figures are also included in a way which seamlessly complements the narrative. The book is supplemented by historic illustrations of the Lakes District where Wordsworth lived and worked, and of the people who formed his circle. A satisfactory map is also included, although an even clearer map would have been welcome. Color photographs of the Lake District would also have been a plus. Nevertheless, this is a superb book which provides a very interesting, sensitive, insightful and entertaining overview of Wordsworth life and work. I highly recommend it.