Up from the Depths

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Up from the Depths explores the intertwined narratives of two pivotal American writers: novelist and poet Herman Melville and his early biographer, literary critic Lewis Mumford. Aaron Sachs skillfully alternates between their lives, revealing the profound connections in their work and the relevance of their experiences in today's crisis-laden world. After Melville's death, he fell into obscurity until Mumford championed his revival following World War I and the 1918-1919 flu pandemic, a time when American culture sought a voice with a darker vision. As Mumford's career flourished, he addressed issues like industrialization, urban decay, and environmental degradation, drawing inspiration from Melville's confrontations with crises such as slavery and the Civil War. Mumford's admiration for Melville ultimately helped elevate him to the status of America's greatest tragedian. However, one of Mumford's significant insights is often overlooked: Melville's darkness is countered by a resilient spirit. In an era marked by global warming, racism, and pandemics, the legacies of Melville and Mumford remind us that humanity has long grappled with such struggles. Rediscovering these writers today offers a lens through which to find hope amid darkness.