Desiderata: Words For Life (pob) [Hardcover]

Max Ehrmann (Author), Marc Tauss (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Series: Desiderata

The beloved classic poem by Max Ehrmann. "Be gentle with yourself... You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars. You have a right to be here."

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-Ehrmann's well-known inspirational work, written in 1927, offers cogent advice on how to live at peace with oneself. This edition is distinguished by Tauss's striking photographs, most of which show children and adults of different cultures. Each of the images captures the essence of the passage it accompanies. For instance, the opening sentence ("Go placidly/amid the noise and haste,/and remember what peace/there may be in silence") is matched with a scene of a deserted city street that brilliantly creates a sense of stillness. Lines on the timelessness of love ("Especially do not feign affection./Neither be cynical/about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment/it is as perennial as the grass") are accompanied by one photo that shows parents and children nestled in bed, and another of them engaged in a pillow fight. Perhaps the most memorable illustration shows a boy and a girl set against a galaxy of stars. This complements the life-affirming statement, "You/are/a child/of the/universe,/no less than the trees and the stars;/you have a right to be here." All of the photos are well composed and have a dreamy quality, suffused with a soft light. However, while the pictures have intergenerational appeal, the vocabulary employed and the philosophy expressed in the text are adult in nature.
Karey Wehner, formerly at San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Max Ehrmann (September 26, 1872 - September 9, 1945) was an attorney and businessman from Terre Haute, Indiana. He worked in his family's meatpacking business and in the overalls manufacturing industry before leaving at age 40 to write. He penned Desiderata at age 54, and it did not achieve fame until after his death. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic (June 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439673682
• ISBN-13: 978-0439673686
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #382,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly beautiful!, March 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Desiderata: Words For Life (Hardcover)

Desiderata, Words for Life by Max Ehrmann with photographs by Marc Tauss is gorgeous. It is filled with thought provoking words and dreamy, lush photos. Desiderata is beautifully designed with lovely, richly toned photos and simple, elegant typography. Desiderata offers quite a mental escape for one during rough times. It's a perfect book for many different occasions: graduations, birthdays, promotions, etc. I highly recommend it for people of all ages.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE ENTIRE SUM OF EXISTENCE IS IN THIS POEM !!!!, July 20, 2004

By 

Michele Minard (CLARKSBURG, WV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Desiderata: Words For Life (Hardcover)

This New Edition Of Desiderata Blows All Previous Versions Away. I Was So Inspired By The Thoughts and Beautiful Photos This Book Brings To The Reader. It's A Book You Should Look At Everyday, Especially In These Emotional Times. Desiderata Offers Quite A Mental Escape And Brings You Back To Your True Self. I Highly Recommend It For People Of All Ages. This Poem Is Breathtaking.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Photographs of Inspiration, June 19, 2003

By 

Suzanne R. Fox (Northport, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Desiderata: Words For Life (Hardcover)

This version of Desiderata is one of the most magnificent and inspirational books I have seen! Marc Tauss' photographs add beauty and completion to this Max Ehrmann work. It is a perfect gift, especially for a graduate. It would make an excellent addition to anyone's library.