A fantastic account of the artists, philosophers, composers, and poets that shaped the culture and intellectual currents of Europe at the dawn of the 19th Century. I particularly enjoyed Kellogg's examination of the role of nature in the Romantic movement and the concept of the Sublime that was so integral to the movement. The 'emotive extremes' of the period led to radical experimentation, volatile swings in popular and intellectual thinking, and a breathtaking artistic vibrancy. A fantastic read that reminds us of a moment when the West embraced feeling over rationality, for better and worse.

This book is packed with information on the Romantics. It is the perfect book for a history and literature buff like me. It is not an easy read though, so this is more for someone with a bit of background knowledge about the period.