Book Review: If—: The Untold Story of Kipling’s American Years by Christopher Benfey

Explore Rudyard Kipling’s Life and Journey in the U.S.A.

If this enticing, bestselling book doesn’t quite live up to its excellent introduction, and it doesn’t, it is not for lack of effort. Author Christopher Benfey is astute and intelligent about key parts of Rudyard Kipling’s life, including his years in America. I learned more about Kipling, America and literature than I knew before reading If—: The Untol…