George Santayana (1863–1952) was one of the leading philosophers of his era. His range of interests was wide; in addition to books and essays on philosophical subjects, he wrote literary criticism of the first rank, cultural criticism that remained fresh and valid up to the time of this book's publication in 1968, and autobiographical works which reveal a man of great charm with a deep interest and affection for his acquaintances. This two-volume selection of Santayana's writing is exceptionally comprehensive; the editor has been careful to provide passages which adequately illustrate Santayana's views on a wide variety of subjects and his selection includes essays and excerpts from books that had long been unavailable. Volume 1 contains essays on literature and the theory of art, and character studies of Santayana's family and some of his most famous acquaintances, and a substantial introduction by Norman Henfrey.