This witty and charming work of literary criticism celebrates the literary and artistic achievements of the Thames Valley, from Chaucer to Shakespeare to Milton. Peacock's erudite and entertaining commentary offers a lively introduction to the many writers and artists who have been inspired by the river, as well as to the landscape and culture that have made the valley such a fertile ground for creative expression. With a keen eye for detail and a love of language, Peacock's book remains a delightful read for anyone interested in the history and culture of England. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.