“In The Southern Literary Messenger, 1834-1864, which was first published in 1905, Benjamin Minor provides a workmanlike history of the magazine, which was rich in names and contributors. Most forthcoming during the years of his proprietorship (July 1843 to February 1847), he offers anecdotes and details to enrich understanding of the magazine's content, authors, and publication and operation. . . . Few will find Minor's book a page-turner, as he mentions name after name and sometimes the nature of what they wrote. In the fine introduction, historian Jonathan Daniel Wells says the listings provide information on lesser contributors not available anywhere else. Researchers will find this book valuable for that purpose.”