Customer Reviews

The Selected Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson (Modern Library)

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Emerson is quoted as often as any other writer or speaker. Not becausea few lines here and there are profound. Rather because he understands more about human beings and life. He is thought provoking and so deep its a joy to read the same essay several times. If people take the time to read it they will understand many things about life they can't get other places.I find it interesting we live in a period of time where civilization is far more advanced yet it appears Emerson knew many things society still doesn't get. There have probably only been a handfull of what people call Masters of life. Those people who had few equals. Without question Emerson is one of these people.If you haven't read the essay Compensation you are missing a very important classic which will speak to you like it was written today.

Emerson may well be the greatest man of letters America has yet produced. His vision of human nature and man's place in the universe contains as much truth today as when it was written. This selection is a solid representation of his thought and writings and can be read again and again for pleasure and for profit. Emerson is one of those rare lights that every thinking person should be exposed to. Read this or buy it for a student that you really care about.

For the soul searching for fresh air, the ideas and information presented to the reader in this book are truly refreshing, as the essays and other writings offered in this book are truly extraordinary and have been abandoned in today's educational system. Emerson emphasizes the individual's place in the universe rather than the servile role offered by contemporary society's pump em out produce isle. Also, If the reader of this reveiw is interested in finding transcendental answers about the universe through direct experience seek out titles by an author of the name Samael Aun Weor. In his titles, he instruction for the development of one's soul is limitless and will afford the opportunity to explore the dimensions of the universe ignored by many.

Contains several writings by Ralph Waldo Emerson including Walden, Essay's 1: Art, Friendship, Self reliance Essay's 2: The Poet, Gifts, Nature, Politics, Nominalist and realist. It also contains his famous The American Scholar writing, The Trancendentalist, and the book of English Traits: Wealth, First Visit to England, Race, Manners, Charactor. Also includes info on non - conformity and several poems and society/ political protocal.

The kindle version of this book is NOT the pictured, print copy of the book. It is a very different version lacking several of the essays. Buyer beware!

There are many Emerson collections, but this may be the best. The definitive one volume edition, it has all the Emerson almost anyone will ever need - dozens of pieces over nearly 950 pages. It includes his best-known work and even contains three full books - Essays: First Series, Essays: Second Series, and English Traits - plus nineteen other essays. There is also a generous poetry selection - twenty-three poems over more than sixty pages. Furthermore, the volume is nicely edited with a short but interesting Foreword and an excellent Preface containing substantial background on Emerson and his era. In addition, each publication is preceded by a short description putting it in context. This will satisfy everyone but completists. Unfortunately, it is now long out of print, and current compilations are distinctly inferior. Anyone at all interested in Emerson would thus do well to seek this out; it may be better to start with a more modest primer - e.g., Dover's Self-Reliance and Other Essays -, but budding Emersonians should not wait long to get this.

Emerson doesn't write like we think today, but his thoughts are tremendous guidelines for the modern man and woman. This book is especially good ecause his journals contain much shorter, pithier entries, written in the language of his longer essays. The journal entries, then, can attune us to his mind and expression, and unlock great thoughts like THE OVERSOUL and SELF RELIANCE. Take the trouble to distill his rich, complex sentences. It is SO worth it. Emerson, the "essayist," did for his time what the columnists of newspapers and talking heads of TV attempt for our time. But they are not fit to carry Waldo's shoes.

Contains several writings by Ralph Waldo Emerson including Walden, Essay's 1: Art, Friendship, Self reliance Essay's 2: The Poet, Gifts, Nature, Politics, Nominalist and realist. It also contains his famous The American Scholar writing, The Trancendentalist, and the book of English Traits: Wealth, First Visit to England, Race, Manners, Charactor. Also includes info on non - conformity and several poems and society/ political protocal.