“There is no question of the author’s sincerity, and if but as a narrative of personal faith, the book possesses both charm and force.” H. B. Alexander.
+ Bookm. 23: 194. Ap. ’06. 1410w.
“Mr. Woodberry has possibly read into the poets, ancient and modern, more than they intended to say. In dealing with the four ... he shows his finely critical sense, although some of his dicta are open to disagreement.” Edward Fuller.
+ – Critic. 48: 212. Mr. ’06. 620w.
“The high note of idealism thus sounded at the outset is maintained to the last.”
+ Dial. 40: 236. Ap. 1, ’06. 350w.
“Our author’s thought is less convincing in the retrospect than in the reading. It is clear that his choice of typical literature has been very strictly selective, and (though there is much admirable criticism by the way) poetically rather than critically selective. No writer in recent years has presented the cause of the Platonist with greater eloquence and devotion, or has made a more telling synthesis of old poetry and new science.”
+ – Nation. 81: 365. N. 2, ’05. 1220w.
“When Prof. Woodberry leaves the field of theory, or, rather, when he imports into that field specific appreciation and criticism, he is often extremely instructive, and what is more important if he will pardon us for saying so, he is stimulating, satisfying, and quite delightful. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the sincerity, the pure-mindedness, the whole-hearted love of the best that shine in Prof. Woodberry’s pages.” E. C.