Words of Others

In this lively gambol through the history of quotations and quotation books, Gary Saul Morson traces our enduring fascination with the words of others. Ranging from the remote past to the present, he explores the formation, development, and significance of quotations, while exploring the "verbal museums" in which they have been collected and displayed--commonplace books, treasuries, and anthologies. In his trademark clear, witty, and provocative style, Morson invites readers to share his delight in the shortest literary genre. The author defines what makes a quote quotable, as well as the (unexpected) differences between quotation and misquotation. He describes how quotations form, transform, and may eventually become idioms. How much of language itself is the residue of former quotations? Weaving in hundreds of intriguing quotations, common and unusual, Morson explores how the words of others constitute essential elements in the formation of a culture and of the self within that culture. In so doing, he provides a demonstration of that very process, captured in the pages of this extraordinary new book.

“The Words of Others is an original and illuminating investigation of how literature and culture use quotations. Gary Saul Morson writes with lucidity and lively wit, making cogent distinctions among different kinds of quotations and arguing persuasively for the quotation as a miniature literary genre. This is one of those rare literary studies that both delights and instructs.”—Robert Alter, author of The Art of Biblical Narrative, “Morson loves literature for the way that, at its best, it can elevate and educate our consciousness. His study of metaquotation supplies an exemplary overview of the whole phenomenon.”—Frederick Crews, author of Follies of the Wise: Dissenting Essays, "The Words of Others is a tour de force. Morson inspired me to view the subject of quotations in an entirely fresh light."--Fred Shapiro, editor of The Yale Book of Quotations, “No one to my knowledge has thought so thoroughly and interestingly about quotations as has Gary Saul Morson. This cannot be demonstrated because ‘Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced–even a proverb is no proverb to you till your life has illustrated it.’ Take Keats at his word and let the words of Gary Morson illustrate for you the soundness of my opinion.”—Arthur Krystal, author of Except When I Write: Reflections of a Recovering Critic, "[a] thought-provoking work . . . this volume belongs in every library."—E.L. Battistella, Choice

Gary Saul Morson is Frances Hooper Professor of the Arts and Humanities, Professor of Slavic Languages, Northwestern University. He is an award-winning author of eight previous books. He lives in Evanston, IL.