Carl Rollyson's Biography: A User's Guide is an informative and
entertaining text for those interested in biography. No aspect of the
genre, from A to Z, goes uncovered: issues around authorized and
unauthorized biography, censorship, libel, fair use, public domain
(referred to as "PD" by publishers and editors), and a great deal
more-including examples drawn from published biographies, as well as
general and specific assessments of the biographer's art. Mr. Rollyson
demonstrates that biography has more dimensions than are generally
gleaned from book reviews and academic discourse. In a lively and
provocative style, he argues with other biographers and critics,
avoiding the polite and vague tones of many reference books on the
subject.