This unique introduction explores Herman Melville as he described himself in Billy Budd-"a writer whom few know." Moving beyond the recurring depiction of Melville as the famous author of <i>Moby-Dick</i>, this book traces his development as a writer while providing the basic tools for successful critical reading of his novels. <br><ul><br><li>Offers a brief introduction to Melville, covering all his major works <br><li>Showcases Melville's writing process through his correspondence with Nathaniel Hawthorne <br><li>Provides a clear sense of Melville's major themes and preoccupations <br><li>Focuses on <i>Typee</i>, <i>Moby-Dick</i>, and <i>Billy Budd</i> in individual chapters <br><li>Includes a biography, summary of key works, interpretation, commentary, and an extensive bibliography.</li></ul>