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Total Categories: 7
The Library of America's primary objective is the publication of contemporary bestsellers to ensure their enduring accessibility.
Answer: False
The foundational mission of the Library of America is not the publication of contemporary bestsellers, but rather the permanent preservation and accessibility of classic American literature to safeguard the nation's cultural heritage.
The establishment of the Library of America was significantly supported by initial seed funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Ford Foundation.
Answer: True
The Library of America received crucial initial financial backing, totaling $1.8 million, from both the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Ford Foundation upon its founding in 1979.
The publishing model adopted by the Library of America was directly inspired by the British 'Everyman's Library' series.
Answer: False
The Library of America's publishing model was specifically inspired by the French *Bibliothèque de la Pléiade* series, not the British 'Everyman's Library'.
The inaugural volumes of the Library of America series were published in 1979, coinciding with the organization's founding year.
Answer: False
Although founded in 1979, the first volumes of the Library of America series were released to the public in 1982.
What is the fundamental mission of the Library of America?
Answer: To keep important classic American literature permanently in print, preserving cultural heritage.
The core mission of the Library of America is to ensure that significant classic American literature remains permanently accessible, thereby preserving the nation's literary and cultural heritage.
Which organizations provided the initial seed funding for the Library of America in 1979?
Answer: The Ford Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The Library of America was established in 1979 with crucial initial financial support amounting to $1.8 million from both the Ford Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The Library of America's publishing approach was modeled after which international series?
Answer: The *Bibliothèque de la Pléiade* series from France.
The Library of America adopted a publishing model inspired by the French *Bibliothèque de la Pléiade* series, which also focuses on producing comprehensive and authoritative editions of classic literary works.
In what year were the first volumes of the Library of America series released to the public?
Answer: 1982
The Library of America began publishing its volumes in 1982, several years after its founding in 1979.
What is the primary purpose behind the Library of America's commitment to keeping books in print permanently?
Answer: To preserve America's literary and cultural heritage for future generations.
The enduring commitment to permanent in-print availability serves the fundamental purpose of preserving America's rich literary and cultural heritage for contemporary readers and posterity.
The conceptual origin of the Library of America series is attributed to Edmund Wilson.
Answer: True
Edmund Wilson, a prominent literary critic, is recognized as the originator of the idea that would eventually lead to the creation of the Library of America series.
Daniel Aaron served as the first president of the Library of America, overseeing its operations from 1979 to 1985.
Answer: True
Daniel Aaron held the position of the first president of the Library of America, guiding its initial operational phase from 1979 to 1985.
Hanna M. Bercovitch, the founding editor, is recognized for her instrumental role in institutionalizing the American literary canon.
Answer: True
Hanna M. Bercovitch, serving as the founding editor and later editor-in-chief, played a pivotal role in solidifying the canon of American literature through her editorial work.
Daniel Aaron played a crucial role in the Library of America's early years primarily in what capacity?
Answer: The first president.
Daniel Aaron served as the inaugural president of the Library of America from 1979 to 1985, significantly shaping its initial direction and operational framework.
What significant contribution is Hanna M. Bercovitch, the founding editor, recognized for?
Answer: Restoring censored passages in works like *Native Son*.
Hanna M. Bercovitch, as founding editor, was instrumental in ensuring the textual integrity of publications, notably overseeing the restoration of previously censored passages in Richard Wright's *Native Son*.
Beyond classic fiction and poetry, the Library of America exclusively publishes works of literary criticism.
Answer: False
The Library of America's publication scope extends beyond classic fiction and poetry to include a diverse range of works such as American journalism, historical documents, selected writings of U.S. presidents, and thematic anthologies.
The Library of America initially focused exclusively on works by deceased authors but subsequently broadened its scope to include living writers.
Answer: True
The Library of America's publication policy evolved; while initially concentrating on deceased authors, it expanded in the late 1990s to encompass works by living American writers.
The publication of *Reporting World War II* represented the Library of America's inaugural inclusion of American journalism.
Answer: True
The two-volume set *Reporting World War II* marked a significant expansion of the Library of America's scope, introducing American journalism into its publication repertoire.
The 'Main series' table within the source material primarily enumerates special thematic collections and poetry anthologies.
Answer: False
The 'Main series' table serves as a comprehensive catalog of the core Library of America publications, listing foundational works and authors, rather than focusing exclusively on special thematic collections or poetry.
The 'American poets project' is dedicated to publishing critical essays analyzing influential American poets.
Answer: False
The 'American poets project' focuses on publishing selected works of significant American poets, rather than critical essays about them.
Which of the following categories of works is NOT typically published by the Library of America, according to the provided information?
Answer: Contemporary poetry collections by emerging writers.
While the Library of America publishes journalism, historical documents, and presidential writings, its focus is on established literary heritage, not contemporary poetry collections by emerging writers.
Which author, known for writing in Russian but living and publishing extensively in the United States, was eventually included by the Library of America?
Answer: Vladimir Nabokov
The Library of America expanded its criteria to include authors who, like Vladimir Nabokov, lived and published significantly in the U.S., even if their primary language was not English.
The publication of *Reporting World War II* held particular significance for the Library of America because it:
Answer: Introduced American journalism into their publication scope.
This publication marked a notable expansion for the Library of America, as it represented the first time the series included collections of American journalism.
What is the primary function of the 'Main series' table within the context of the Library of America's catalog?
Answer: To provide a comprehensive catalog of all books published in the primary series.
The 'Main series' table serves as an exhaustive catalog, detailing the volumes published in the Library of America's core series, including volume number, author, title, editor, publication year, and ISBN, thereby showcasing the breadth of the collection.
The 'American poets project' is specifically dedicated to publishing:
Answer: Selected works of significant American poets.
This specialized project focuses on curating and publishing collections that represent the significant works of major American poets.
The Library of America ensures textual accuracy by relying solely on the first published editions of works.
Answer: False
Textual accuracy is achieved through the preparation and editing of volumes by recognized scholars, who aim to correct errors and omissions, rather than solely relying on first published editions.
The Library of America's edition of Richard Wright's *Native Son* omitted passages to enhance its marketability.
Answer: False
Conversely, the Library of America's edition of *Native Son* is notable for restoring passages that had been previously censored or omitted, thereby presenting a more complete text.
Library of America volumes typically omit introductory essays or critical analyses of the works presented.
Answer: True
In alignment with the vision of founder Edmund Wilson, Library of America volumes generally do not include introductory essays or critical examinations, allowing readers to engage with the text directly.
The chronologies included in Library of America volumes are frequently criticized for their brevity.
Answer: False
The chronologies provided in Library of America volumes are generally highly praised, with *The New York Times* describing them as 'predictably superb' for their detail and relevance.
How does the Library of America ensure the textual integrity of its published works?
Answer: By having recognized scholars prepare and edit volumes to correct errors.
Textual integrity is meticulously maintained through the scholarly preparation and editing of each volume, ensuring accuracy and addressing any deficiencies in prior editions.
The Library of America's edition of Richard Wright's *Native Son* is notable because it:
Answer: Restored passages that had been previously censored.
This edition is significant for reinstating passages that were omitted from earlier publications, thereby presenting a more complete and uncensored version of Wright's novel.
What kind of supplementary material is typically found within Library of America volumes?
Answer: Detailed notes on the text, author chronologies, and scholarly information.
Library of America volumes characteristically include extensive scholarly apparatus, such as detailed textual notes, comprehensive author chronologies, and other relevant background information.
Why does the Library of America typically refrain from including introductory essays in its volumes?
Answer: It aligns with the original vision of founder Edmund Wilson.
The deliberate omission of introductory essays is consistent with the foundational design principles established by Edmund Wilson, emphasizing direct engagement with the primary texts.
How were the chronologies featured in Library of America volumes described by *The New York Times*?
Answer: Predictably superb.
*The New York Times* lauded the chronologies included in Library of America volumes, characterizing them as 'predictably superb' for their comprehensive and pertinent details.
Library of America volumes are characterized by their distinctive black dust jackets and a commitment to presenting authoritative text versions.
Answer: True
The distinctive black dust jackets are a hallmark of the Library of America series, and a core tenet of their publishing is the provision of authoritative text versions, often prepared by leading scholars.
The distinctive physical design of the Library of America books was created by Bruce Campbell.
Answer: True
Bruce Campbell is credited with the design of the unique and recognizable physical appearance of the Library of America volumes.
Library of America hardcover editions utilize standard paper and are perfect-bound for enhanced durability.
Answer: False
The hardcover editions employ archival-quality paper meeting permanence guidelines and are Smyth-sewn, a binding method that allows the books to lie flat, rather than being perfect-bound.
The standard trim size of Library of America volumes is derived from the principles of the golden section.
Answer: True
The dimensions of the Library of America volumes, specifically their standard trim size, are based on the mathematical concept of the golden section.
The physical design of the initial Library of America volumes was met with indifference by the publishing industry.
Answer: False
On the contrary, the physical design of the first volumes, released in 1982, was highly praised, with *Publishers Weekly* describing it as 'a triumph of the bookmaker's art'.
What is a key physical characteristic frequently associated with Library of America volumes?
Answer: They possess a recognizable appearance, often including black dust jackets.
Library of America volumes are known for their distinctive aesthetic, most notably their black dust jackets, which contribute to their recognizable and consistent presentation.
Who is credited with designing the distinctive physical appearance of the Library of America books?
Answer: Bruce Campbell
The unique and recognizable physical design of the Library of America volumes is attributed to the work of designer Bruce Campbell.
What binding method is employed for Library of America hardcover editions to ensure they lie flat when opened?
Answer: Smyth sewing
Library of America hardcover volumes utilize Smyth sewing, a robust binding technique that allows the book to remain open and lie flat, facilitating comfortable reading.
The standard trim size of Library of America volumes is noted for being based upon which aesthetic or mathematical principle?
Answer: The golden section
The dimensions of the Library of America volumes adhere to the principles of the golden section, contributing to their balanced and aesthetically pleasing proportions.
The Library of America operates as a subsidiary of Penguin Random House.
Answer: False
While Penguin Random House Publisher Services serves as the exclusive distributor for Library of America books, the organization itself is not a subsidiary of Penguin Random House; its parent entity is Literary Classics of the United States, Inc.
The Library of America is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.
Answer: False
The Library of America maintains its headquarters in New York City.
Penguin Random House Publisher Services is the exclusive distributor for Library of America books.
Answer: True
Penguin Random House Publisher Services holds the exclusive contract for the distribution of publications issued by the Library of America.
As a nonprofit entity, the Library of America is precluded from accepting any form of financial contributions.
Answer: False
Despite operating as a nonprofit, the Library of America relies on and actively accepts individual contributions and donations to sustain its mission and operations.
What entity serves as the parent organization for the Library of America?
Answer: Literary Classics of the United States, Inc.
The Library of America operates under the legal entity known as Literary Classics of the United States, Inc.
In which major metropolitan area is the Library of America headquartered?
Answer: New York City
The Library of America maintains its primary administrative offices and headquarters in New York City.
Which entity is responsible for the distribution of Library of America books?
Answer: Penguin Random House Publisher Services.
Penguin Random House Publisher Services acts as the exclusive distributor for the Library of America's extensive catalog of publications.
How does the Library of America primarily sustain its operations as a nonprofit organization?
Answer: Through individual contributions and donations.
As a nonprofit, the Library of America relies significantly on financial support from individual donors and contributions to fund its ongoing mission and operational activities.
What is the typical function of the 'Authority control' section in relation to an organization like the Library of America?
Answer: Links to databases for unique identification and cataloging.
The 'Authority control' section typically provides standardized identifiers and links to databases (e.g., VIAF, GND) that ensure the unique identification and consistent cataloging of the organization, facilitating information retrieval and accuracy.
Critics have lauded the Library of America series as an 'invaluable' contribution to the understanding and preservation of American literature.
Answer: True
The Library of America has received significant critical acclaim, with its contributions often described as 'invaluable' and essential for establishing and appreciating the American literary canon.
Jason Epstein, a co-founder, consistently endorsed all publication choices made by the Library of America throughout its history.
Answer: False
Jason Epstein, while a co-founder, later expressed criticisms regarding the Library of America's financial management and certain publication decisions, advocating for a focus on maintaining existing works.
The marketing efforts for the Library of America were criticized for downplaying the significance of American literature.
Answer: False
A notable criticism regarding the Library of America's marketing was that it exaggerated the perceived peril of American literature, rather than downplaying its importance.
Inclusion within the Library of America series is often regarded as a significant validation of literary merit, akin to an 'imprimatur'.
Answer: True
The selection of an author for inclusion in the Library of America series is frequently interpreted as a prestigious recognition, signifying the author's established importance and greatness within the American literary canon.
Which of the following represents a common criticism leveled against the Library of America?
Answer: Its marketing campaigns overstated the threat to American literature.
A significant criticism targeted the Library of America's marketing strategies, which were perceived by some as exaggerating the precarious state of American literature to bolster the organization's perceived necessity.
Jason Epstein, a co-founder, voiced specific criticisms concerning the Library of America's:
Answer: Financial management and publication of unnecessary anthologies.
In his later reflections, Jason Epstein critiqued the Library of America's financial practices and the perceived overproduction of anthologies, suggesting a deviation from its core mission.