Following a short biographical chapter on American contemporary writer, Tom Wolfe, McEneaney (Marist College, Poughkeepsie, New York) offers scholars an analysis of Wolfe's journalism, essays, and novels. The text emphasizes the literary qualities of Wolfe's journalism and fiction as they relate to his sociological perspective on American society, and the questions he raises about social trends, patriotism, religion, manners and mores against the backdrop of American history and society. McEneaney also considers how Wolfe uses influences from French, English and past American literature in an original way that comments on American society; his peculiar and unique use of ironic counterpoint; and the relationship of Wolfe's satiric strain to his understanding of private and public morality. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)