The Conquest of Fear

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First published in 1921, Basil King's The Conquest of Fear is a work of psychology that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with the human condition gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Conquest of Fear among the notable works of its period. Our aggregate score of 40/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes The Conquest of Fear is how it handles its central concerns — the human condition — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. The Conquest of Fear reflects Basil King's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United States's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.

About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.