Book excerpt: Witty, bittingly satirical, erudite, and passionate, James Russell Lowell was one of the great literary and intellectual, giants of the 19th century. Though his name today is less well-known than Hawthorne, Poe, Longfellow, and Emerson, he was their contemporary, peer, and friend. He was the editor of "The Atlantic Monthly" who set the early tone and style for that magazine. A Harvard graduate and prolific essayist and poet, he was later a U.S. diplomat to Spain and England. This two volume, long out-of-print set will keep you entertained from beginning to end. Lowell's wonderful intelligence and wit are on display throughout. You will see why "The Atlantic" became the important magazine that it still is. His friend and biographer, Horace Scudder was also editor of "The Atlantic." For the first time, this long out-of-print volume is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones. Be sure to LOOK INSIDE by clicking the cover above or download a sample.