Leonard Barkan Livres

A gripping, funny, joyful account of how the books you read shape your own life in surprising and profound ways.

Set against the enchanting backdrop of Rome, this narrative intertwines memoir, literary criticism, and travelogue, chronicling an American professor's transformative year in the city. Through humor and poignant reflections, the story explores themes of self-discovery and the rich tapestry of Roman culture, including its culinary delights and artistic heritage. As the scholar navigates the city's wonders, he learns not only about Rome but also about himself, making for a captivating and insightful journey.

Exploring the intersection of food and culture, Leonard Barkan highlights the aesthetic significance of eating and drinking throughout Western history. He examines their roles in literature, art, philosophy, and religion, revealing how culinary experiences shape human sensibility. Barkan delves into the importance of food in Roman civilization, the Hebrew Bible, and the Renaissance, advocating for an interdisciplinary approach that places gastronomy at the heart of cultural and artistic analysis. This work redefines our understanding of taste as a central aspect of aesthetic experience.

Exploring the multifaceted life of Michelangelo through his paper creations, Leonard Barkan examines the interplay of text and image, revealing both profound artistic ideas and everyday concerns. He analyzes the dynamics of layout, omission, and the balance between private and public expression, creating a nuanced portrait of the artist. This portrayal highlights the inherent tensions and conflicts that can only be understood within the context of his works on paper, offering a deeper insight into Michelangelo's creative world.

Why do painters sometimes wish they were poets - and why do poets sometimes wish they were painters? What happens when Rembrandt spells out Hebrew in the sky or Poussin spells out Latin on a tombstone? What happens when Virgil, Ovid, or Shakespeare suspend their plots to describe a fictitious painting? This title answers these questions.

Intro -- Contents -- Prologue: Me and Berlin -- 1. Places: Schönhauser Allee -- 2. Places: Bayerisches Viertel -- 3. People: Rahel Varnhagen -- 4. People: James Simon -- 5. People: Walter Benjamin -- Epilogue: Recollections, Reconstructions -- Acknowledgments -- Suggestions for Further Reading.