writing did not translate well in this new environment, and by the middle of the decade his popularity had fizzled. His last novel The Foolscap Rose, appeared in 1934. H.L. Mencken's diary describes Hergesheimer's frustration at the decline of his popularity and the lack of interest by his publishers, and according to one literary legend, when Hergesheimer asked why nobody was interested in his books anymore, Mencken replied, "I don't know, Joe. I'll always enjoy watching you swing from tree to tree." Hergesheimer's reputation has not recovered from this low point, although he still has some champions. The weakness in his method can be seen in books like Cytherea, wherein the author's aesthetic concerns overwhelm all other aspects of the writing, resulting in thin plot and characterization and a certain precious quality in the descriptions. Indeed, Clifton Fadiman considered his novels to be "deficient in mere brain-power." On the other hand, his descriptive writing occasionally holds great power. When asked in 1962 what was his favorite American novel, Samuel Beckett replied "one of the best I ever read was Hergesheimer's Java Head." His short story "Tol'able David" was made into a highly successful and acclaimed 1921 silent film. Other notable film adaptations include Java Head (US, 1923), The Bright Shawl (US, 1923), Wild Oranges (1924), and Cytherea (1924), and Java Head (UK, 1934). Eight films and one television special were adapted from Hergesheimer's work. Personal life and death Hergesheimer married Dorothy Hemphill. They resided in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. Hergesheimer died on April 25, 1954 in Sea Isle City, New Jersey. He was buried at Oaklands Cemetery in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Works Novels The Lay Anthony (Mitchell Kennerley, 1914; Alfred A. Knopf, 1919) Mountain Blood (Kennerley, 1915; Knopf, 1919) The Three Black Pennys (Knopf, 1917) Java Head (Knopf, 1919) Linda Condon (Knopf, 1919) Cytherea (Knopf, 1922) The Bright Shawl (Knopf, 1922) The Presbyterian Child (Knopf, 1923) Balisand (Knopf, 1924) Tampico (Knopf, 1926) The Limestone Tree (1929) The Party Dress (Knopf, 1930) Berlin (Knopf, 1931) The Foolscap Rose (Knopf, 1934) Collections of short fiction Gold and Iron (Knopf, 1918) "Wild Oranges" (novella) "Tubal Cain" (novella) "The Dark Fleece" (novella) The Happy End (Knopf, 1919) "Tol'able David" (1917) Wild Oranges (Knopf, 1922) Tubal Cain (Knopf, 1922) The Dark Fleece (Knopf, 1922) Quiet Cities (Knopf, 1928) Tropical Winter (Knopf, 1933) Belles-Lettres San Cristobal de la Habana (Knopf, 1920) From an Old House (Knopf,