The "boxes" and collages constructed by Joseph Cornell (1903-72) are among the most intriguing and beguiling works of art made this century. Drawing on the widest range possible of primary material and interviews, author Lindsay Blair gives us the most detailed picture yet of an artist whose boxes were built from a mass of intensely felt personal yearning, attachments, fears, and disappointments. 34 color and 90 b&w, illustrations.