Brander, L. Somerset Maugham: A Guide, Barnes and Noble, Inc., 1963.

This concise guide to the whole of Maugham's work includes a chapter on the short stories. In his comments on "The Fall of Edward Barnard," Brander emphasizes the return to nature theme.

Curtis, Anthony, Somerset Maugham, Macmillan, 1977.

This well-illustrated book attempts to give a broadbrush portrait of the writer and his world.

Morgan, Ted, Maugham: A Biography, Simon and Schuster, 1980.

This is the most reliable and complete biography of Maugham. Morgan discusses Maugham's fiction and plays in detail and shows how the events of Maugham's life are reflected in his work.

Raphael, Frederic, W. Somerset Maugham and His World, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1977.

This overview of Maugham's life and work contains 110 illustrations.

Whitehead, John, Maugham: A Reappraisal, Barnes and Noble, 1987.

Whitehead attempts a close scrutiny of all of Maugham's works, declaring that although many of them are...