A Hero and Some Other Folks

A Hero and Some Other Folks by William A. Quayle opens with a warm, reflective summons to the lives and ideas that shape our moral imagination. This essay collection of short nonfiction and literary criticism, written at the turn of the twentieth century, ranges from meditations on Jean Valjean and Shakespeare’s Caliban to portraits of Tennyson, William the Silent, King Arthur, and the drama of Job. Quayle moves fluidly between European giants and uniquely American themes—romance of geography, iconoclasm in nineteenth-century letters, and the evolution of the gentleman in literature—offering moral readings, cultural context, and a persuasive case for why heroes matter. Rooted in Victorian-era sensibilities yet lively and approachable, these essays balance erudition with pastoral warmth; Quayle hopes to lighten burdens, enlarge landscapes, and kindle admiration for noble deeds and enduring art. Listeners will find thoughtful reflections on hero-worship, the civic role of literature, and how pictures and stories shape national character. Ideal for fans of classic essays, literary history, and essay/short nonfiction, this audiobook is perfect for anyone who enjoys intelligent cultural criticism delivered with clarity and humane insight.