PDF The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson Modern Library Classics Ralph Waldo Emerson Brooks Atkinson Mary Oliver 9780679783220 Books
Download As PDF : The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson Modern Library Classics Ralph Waldo Emerson Brooks Atkinson Mary Oliver 9780679783220 Books
Introduction by Mary Oliver
Commentary by Henry James, Robert Frost, Matthew Arnold, Oliver Wendell Holmes, and Henry David Thoreau
The definitive collection of Emerson’s major speeches, essays, and poetry, The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson chronicles the life’s work of a true “American Scholar.” As one of the architects of the transcendentalist movement, Emerson embraced a philosophy that championed the individual, emphasized independent thought, and prized “the splendid labyrinth of one’s own perceptions.” More than any writer of his time, he forged a style distinct from his European predecessors and embodied and defined what it meant to be an American. Matthew Arnold called Emerson’s essays “the most important work done in prose.”
INCLUDES A MODERN LIBRARY READING GROUP GUIDE
PDF The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson Modern Library Classics Ralph Waldo Emerson Brooks Atkinson Mary Oliver 9780679783220 Books
"I got this as I heard Wayne Dyer recommend it as one of his readings. It is excellent, however, you don't sit down and read it. Maybe a page or two at a time to digest. I keep it handy and open it every other day or two for a brief interlude. It never fails to give me something wonderful to think about."
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The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson Modern Library Classics Ralph Waldo Emerson Brooks Atkinson Mary Oliver 9780679783220 Books Reviews :
The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson Modern Library Classics Ralph Waldo Emerson Brooks Atkinson Mary Oliver 9780679783220 Books Reviews
- In "The Varieties of Religious Experience," William James devotes an early chapter to a type of personality most of us have known the man who is perennially optimistic and cheerful, and almost always in a sunny mood. This "healthy mind," says James, is easy to see in a person like Walt Whitman --- and he would doubtless have included Ralph Waldo Emerson as another obvious example. In such persons, according to James, "happiness is congenital and irreclaimable." Matthew Arnold put it this way "Emerson's systematic benevolence comes from what he himself calls somewhere his 'persistent optimism,' and his persistent optimism is the root of his greatness and the source of his charm."
One of the golden nuggets in this Emerson anthology is the famous essay on "Self-Reliance." Modern readers might imagine that this essay would be about economics, but not so the heart of it is this ---
"There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself, for better, for worse, as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernel of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till. The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried."
To put it in other words, "Know thyself" (Socrates would agree) and "Be thyself." Aping celebrities and adopting ideologies are no part of self-reliance; in fact, Emerson explicitly deplores men who have become slaves of an ideology. "If I know your sect I anticipate your argument." In fact, "whoso would be a man, must be a nonconformist." Conformity makes men not just false in a few small things, but false in everything.
This is most excellent advice, and should be followed while reading Emerson --- or anyone else. You will find yourself disagreeing with him from time to time, and Emerson himself would surely approve and applaud.
The physical book reviewed here is extremely well-edited and well-made. The introduction by Mary Oliver is excellent and helpful. Unless you become a true Emerson devotee, this volume is likely to be all you need. - Big and heavy for a paperback with tissue thin paper, very small print and marvelous contents. Worth the extra effort in reading these choice pieces at this bargain price in a convenient collection. Very satisfying.
- If the words of Whitman do not prompt one to at least explore the ideas of Ralph Waldo Emerson, nothing I say will be able to (or should). I suppose though many readers have merely seen Emerson's name after a famous quote or heard it mentioned by others and are curious about what he wrote.
The books contains his most essential, influential essays. Each contain classical Emerson thought, unique, hard to pin down, literary... Emerson was known for "trumping the logicians" and appealing to the soul of man. Indeed he does.
I have not read this book in its totality, but of the works I have, I have read thoroughly, as thoroughly as I have read perhaps anything, and I must say there is something undeniable about Emerson's reasoning. It is not logical in the dry fashion of philosophy, yet it is poetically, "humanly" appealing.
All I can say is read Emerson. He was and is one of America's most influencital writers. Some like him, some hate him, some appreciate though not totally agree with things he sets for (like myself). This particular book presents a good overview of his most renowned works, is affordable, and has a nice introduction. Highly recommended. - This is a gift to yourself. It is an amazing read. You will need a good notebook to write down all the magnificent thoughts and ideas that this man uncovered and shared with the world. I am truly a fan of Emerson. I am now reading an autobiography of his life.
- I got this as I heard Wayne Dyer recommend it as one of his readings. It is excellent, however, you don't sit down and read it. Maybe a page or two at a time to digest. I keep it handy and open it every other day or two for a brief interlude. It never fails to give me something wonderful to think about.
- "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well... To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson. The 19th century Transcendental philosopher.
In my spiritual family tree, Emerson occupies the great great+ grandfather slot (right there above Dyer and Maslow). )
I truly love the man. You can feel his energy emanating from his powerful essays and if you haven't read his work yet, I highly recommend it. I'd suggest you start with "Self-Reliance" and then maybe "Nature," "Compensation," "Spiritual Laws," "Heroism," and "Circles."
If you're like me, his eloquence, eminent quotability and passion for each of us to experience the transcendent joy that results from connecting to our Highest Self will often leave you in awe. - I can see why this author has such a great following and respect. Very enlightening. I would like to read more of this works.
- perfect
