Another Music

This collection of essays, titled Another Music, showcases John McCormick's diverse experiences and insights across literature, history, and philosophy.

In Another Music, the essays reflect John McCormick's embrace of diversification in an era dominated by specialization. His life, rich with varied experiences across multiple occupations and countries, informs the breadth of his writing. After serving five years in the U.S. Navy during World War II, McCormick pursued academia through the G.I. Bill, leading to a fulfilling teaching career. However, he resisted the conventional paths of literary specialization, opting instead for a broader perspective as an 'Americanist' in Europe, where he engaged in comparative studies of literature, history, and philosophy. This choice significantly shapes the diverse themes explored in the volume.

The essays are organized into three distinct sections. The first contains general and personal reflections on various topics, followed by essays focusing on individual writers. The final section delves into criticism and theory, with a notable focus on McCormick's extensive research for Santayana's biography. His writings on Spain and the art of bullfighting stem from a long-standing interest, as he seeks to challenge romanticized notions about this cultural practice, emphasizing its importance in understanding the Spanish character.

The concluding piece, 'Another Music,' presents an introspective look at the complexities of aging and the perceptions of youth. Spanning a wide array of writers from Whitman to Santayana, the essays collectively capture the richness and decline of twentieth-century politics and aesthetics. McCormick's unique literary taste and political nonconformity make this volume appealing to both specialists and general readers alike.