During the early 1930s, after James Gould Cozzens had published four romantic novels and then withdrawn them from circulation, he wrote the first three of what Brenden Gill called his eight “canonical works.” But it was only after the publication of By Love Possessed in 1957 that he achieved wide popularity.  Mooney closely examines each of Cozzens’ novels, isolating and defining his main themes and addressing the critical acclaim and condemnation of his works.
Among the novels Mooney analyzes are: S.S. San Pedro, Castaway, The Last Adam, Men and Brethren, Ask Me Tomorrow, The Just and the Unjust, Guard of Honor, and By Love Possessed.

Harry John Mooney, Jr., was professor emeritus of English at the University of Pittsburgh.