Dryden and the Problem of Freedom: The Republican Aftermath, 1649–1680

Nominated for the Gottschalk Prize, American Society for 18th Century Studies “Opens the way for a large variety of future new readings of Dryden’s major works.”—Sanford Budick “Accurately described as a ‘revisionary’ study, this important book defamiliarizes our sense of Dryden and his major poems, serious plays, satires, and critical prose.”—Choice “A brilliant formulation of seeing the Dryden of 1688–1700 as a poet whose conversion to Catholicism unleashed the old anti-monarchical Puritanism of his youth.”—Maximillian Novak “An important and unusually sophisticated contribution to our view of Dryden.”—Richard Kroll “In the great tradition of modern Dryden scholar-critics from Earl Miner and Phillip Harth.”—SEL “Haley’s energy, intelligence, and historical knowledge produce a number of readings that I found provocative —e.g., as to the train of alchemical imagery in Annus Mirabilis.”—Eric Rothstein “His sure knowledge of the period allows Haley to set forth the diverse cultural contexts—intellectual, literary, political, or religious—in which Dryden lived, to ascertain more precisely his views, and to chart the development of his career that took a decisive turn after the Rose-Alley beating.”—Etudes Anglaises “Haley’s study is to be commended for making us look afresh at Dryden, and most readers will come away from his book with some perceptions sharpened and profitably changed.”—Derek Hughes