Emerson: Selected Essays

by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Book Overview

Ralph Waldo Emerson believed that an appreciation of its vast natural resources would become the foundation of American culture. His assertion that human thought and actions proceed from nature, was a radical departure from the traditional European emphasis on domesticating nature to suit human needs. His philosophy is rich in common natural scenes of daily life, and expresses the inherent harmony between man and nature. including Nature, The American...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140390138
• ISBN13: 9780140390131
• Release Date: April 1982
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.0" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

RWEmerson--WOW! What else is there to say?

For anyone who enjoys beautiful prose with intellectually stimulating ideas and thoughts--this book is a "MUST-HAVE" for your library collection! These classic and quotable essays are enlighting and refreshing! If you (like I do) reject the Transcendentalist doctrine and theology, you may find yourself dismissing a couple of the essays as too tasking ideologically as they are at times on the fringe of transcendental ideology. Emerson's use of the English language, however, is a breath of fresh air in this era where the common vernacular is characterized by the grotesque abuses of ebonics, profanity, and laziness. It would be incredibly wonderful if all Americans would return to the most eloquent and beautiful use of our language as Emerson does.

A good place to start

Ralph Waldo Emerson's essays don't make for an easy read, but Emerson, luckily for us, decided not to accept the easy, run of the mill explanation of the life he found around him. It takes discipline and effort to tackle Emerson's work, and I have to say that it was well worth it for me. This small paperback collection has got to be one of the best places to start for those of you interested in having a go at one of THE Trascendentalist writers. This collecion brings together in a very inexpensive buy most of his greatest prose. With this, you get "Nature," "The American Scholar," "Man the Reformer," "History," "Self-Reliance," "The Over-Soul," "The Trascendentalist," "The Poet," "Experience," and more. If there is one place to start reading Emerson, than this might as well be among the top choices. Not only is it inexpensive, but it's small, light, and easy to take around. It also includes a great introduction (by Larzer Ziff) to Emerson the man and the world in which he wrote. I highly recommend it.

Emerson and his thought. Profound.

This book asks the reader to think quite a bit. When I initially read the collection, I was turned off by the monotony of the diction and the drab subject matter. However, I found that Emerson asks his reader to think about his own thoughts and gain insight into the ideas he presents. This collection is an impeccable work of Transcendentalism and can be related to modern life as well. If you choose to read this book in the historical sense, you are sure to gain information about the mindset of the time in which it was written. Emerson's view on Man, Society, Nature, and the world in general is certain to provide you with hours upon hours of analyzation, introspection and plain old satisfaction. I recommend this collection essays enthusiastically.

A book making us satisfied

a thrue book about a muscular people.A legend of a nation. The strive against destination.

Mighty thoughts that can shake your life!

This is one of the greatest books I have ever read. I know that many people don't like to read essays of any kind, but all I can say is that Ralph Waldo Emerson is simply different! Nobody has the gift to write essays and analyze life like him.His words and ideas are so powerful and deep that we soon realize that they didn't come only from a brilliant mind, but also from a warm-hearted soul!That's exactly what this book is about: Its sentences break through your brain and penetrate right into your soul! Emerson's optimistic view on human beings and life can only reinforce our courage in mankind and, especially, in ourselves! What else can I say? His speech is direct, he defends all the good values, tell us to have confidence in ourselves and show us that passing through life with dignity is a matter of choice and courage, and that it simply doesn't change with time. It was like this a thousand years ago, it will probably follow the same rules a thousand years f! ! rom now.This is the book I grab to comfort my spirit when I'm having difficult times... :) It is a guide that make us believe that anything is possible when we really want it! " Self-Reliance ", one of the essays inside this book, is a masterpiece in its own and I believe it should be studied in every high school, instead some of the crap we are usually obliged to read!This book can shape your spirit and your mind. It is also possibly THE BEST self-help book you could ever own and, yet, a great literary work. I would rate this book as ageless and I'm sure the future generations will be still interested in it, such as are we in those ancient Greek and Roman texts. This is precious culture and food for your soul as a bargain! Do not waste more time. READ IT!!!