William Motherwell's Cultural Politics

This book is a must for all ballad scholars.... Has managed, as the result of a judicious and systematic exploration of all relevant sources, to assign Motherwell his rightful place in the history of the traditional ballad. This is ballad scholarship at its best.

~Wilhelm F. Nicolaisen

Provides a new kind of insight into not only the man but also his milieu—Glasgow and Paisley in the waning years of the Romantic movement.

~Choice

Brown has grasped the opportunity to contract an unusual kind of literary biography, one that explores the life in a context of whys and wherefores.... Both an essential contribution to ballad studies and a valuable work of cultural history.

~Folk Music Journal

Not only does it give us a good picture of the man, but it gives us through him a very informative picture of 19th century antiquarian activities, interests, ideologies, and contexts.

~Frank de Caro

The only study to examine his personality and activities in sufficient detail to permit a comprehensive understanding of this important but enigmatic character. Her work will no doubt become a permanent fixture in ballad scholarship.

~James Moreira

A remarkable book about the life of a remarkable person in remarkable times.... A very satisfying and readable, substantial piece of scholarship.

~Journal of American Folklore

An ambitious and extremely useful study of this neglected figure in the discovery of the ballad.

~Roger Abrahams

A reader will find everything that he or she needs to know about early nineteenth century ballad scholar, William Motherwell.

~Scottish Economic and Social History

Provides a new kind of insight not only into the man but also into his milieu, Glasgow and Paisley in the waning years of the Romantic Movement.

~Scottish Studies Review