Writing was the central passion of Emerson’s life. While his thoughts on the craft are well developed in “The Poet,” “The A...
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Jun 14, 2011
Birgit
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Don't ask me why this book has escaped my attention for so long, seeing how much I love Ralph Waldo Emerson's work. While I already knew him as a wonderful poet, I admittedly haven't been all that familiar with his person and life.
In First We Read, Then We Write: Emerson On The Creative Process Robert D. Richardson presents a marvelous and engaging little manual digging deep into the central passion of Emerson's life, who was literally in love and addicted to books. Mainly focusing on the i More...
In First We Read, Then We Write: Emerson On The Creative Process Robert D. Richardson presents a marvelous and engaging little manual digging deep into the central passion of Emerson's life, who was literally in love and addicted to books. Mainly focusing on the i More...
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Nov 26, 2009
Bruce
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This small book, only 100 pages long, may be modest in size but is large in ideas. Richardson, who wrote a monumental Emerson biography, has used Emerson’s thoughts and writings to reflect on the craft of reading and writing. And his book is chock-a-block with pertinent quotations and advice, none unfamiliar to those who have read all of Emerson‘s essays, but nonetheless creatively and helpfully topically arranged. Emerson himself was an omnivorous reader who nevertheless cautioned about mind
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Dec 25, 2011
Rose
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Robert D. Richardson provides an insightful look into Ralph Waldo Emerson's writing process in "First We Read, Then We Write." I think those who highly regard Emerson's work as well as those who want insight into literary/creative techniques will find this book inspiring, especially since it covers many topics of use to any writer wanting to develop their own craft as well as learn how Emerson approached his own writing.
This book resonated with me in particular because I t More...
This book resonated with me in particular because I t More...
Feb 26, 2010
Jessie
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Might be a good companion to Emerson’s essays (esp “The Poet”); Richardson knows Emerson inside and out (has written a biography too); half the book is Emerson’s words; the lucid prose and structure—short, focused chapters like “Reading” and “Practical Hints”—reminds me of Mary Oliver’s POETRY HANDBOOK (and she endorses this bk).
The Emerson bits do read like a calendar of quotes at Barnes & Noble; the *sentence* is his unit, not the *paragraph*, and my favorite chapter in this book i More...
The Emerson bits do read like a calendar of quotes at Barnes & Noble; the *sentence* is his unit, not the *paragraph*, and my favorite chapter in this book i More...
Jun 02, 2011
Elizabeth
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A slim volume, this book is both a look into Emerson’s writing as well as a tool for aspiring writers. There are many books out there that covering the art of writing and this one offers nothing in that regard. However, for writers that enjoy Emerson, this book would be a good gift. It attempts to help the author emulate Emerson’s style which allows for little freedom in the reader’s own writing. While that may perhaps be what the reader wants, I found that I often felt like I was being prea
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Feb 11, 2012
Tiffany
rated it:
A short book that packs a lot of information about writing and reading into a tiny package.
The book will probably be most fascinating to those who like a voyeristic look into how other writers do what they do best — How does Emerson read and write?
I am fascinated about learning how other writers view their craft and their practical advice for making it work, so this type of book is perfect for me. It also is short and sweet - instead of stretching the information into an More...
The book will probably be most fascinating to those who like a voyeristic look into how other writers do what they do best — How does Emerson read and write?
I am fascinated about learning how other writers view their craft and their practical advice for making it work, so this type of book is perfect for me. It also is short and sweet - instead of stretching the information into an More...
Oct 16, 2011
Jade
rated it:
Originally published at my blog Chasing Empty Pavements
It was nice to break away from fiction for a bit and pick up something different. I thought maybe giving this book a try would relate to my writing classes I'm taking this semester. While not 100% as helpful as I would have liked, I did enjoy what Richardson was trying to get across. The cool thing about this book is that you learn almost as much about Ralph Waldo Emerson as you do the writing process. It's kind of amazing More...
It was nice to break away from fiction for a bit and pick up something different. I thought maybe giving this book a try would relate to my writing classes I'm taking this semester. While not 100% as helpful as I would have liked, I did enjoy what Richardson was trying to get across. The cool thing about this book is that you learn almost as much about Ralph Waldo Emerson as you do the writing process. It's kind of amazing More...
Nov 25, 2009
James
rated it:
A short book (really a long essay) on Ralph Waldo Emerson's approach to the writing process and product, culled from his journal, letters, and essays. As an Emerson fan and an aspiring writer, I found it motivational, inspiring and fascinating.
I discovered this book through John Banville's review in the New York Review of Books (link to a preview of the review but a paid subscription is required to view it in its entirety). More...
I discovered this book through John Banville's review in the New York Review of Books (link to a preview of the review but a paid subscription is required to view it in its entirety). More...
Jul 12, 2010
Heather
rated it: 
I skimmed over this book--it was interesting, but it seemed like the reader had to know and like Emerson in the first place in order to appreciate it. The author is a well-known biographer of Emerson, and I just couldn't share his passion without knowing much about Emerson myself. The ideas in the various chapters seemed a bit disjointed, too, as though the author was grasping for every tidbit from Emerson's journals and letters that might have to do with writing. I was hoping for a more grad
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May 24, 2011
Nicki
rated it:
I found this an enjoyable short read with many thought-provoking points for a writer.
Robert D Richardson Jr. has done an excellent job of drawing together Emerson's views and philosophies and has presented them in a concise and interesting way.
This is not a general book that will appeal to just anyone because of its very particular subject matter, but I think it will be of interest of many writers for its comments and ideas about the creative process and the nature of writing.
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Robert D Richardson Jr. has done an excellent job of drawing together Emerson's views and philosophies and has presented them in a concise and interesting way.
This is not a general book that will appeal to just anyone because of its very particular subject matter, but I think it will be of interest of many writers for its comments and ideas about the creative process and the nature of writing.
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May 10, 2010
Joe
rated it:
Valuable excerpts from Emerson's endless thoughts on composition and symbiotic relationship between reading and writing. I took it up to maintain my enthusiasm for the worthy Richardson biography of Emerson, and some chapters were repetitive. Anyone fearing the 600-page dive into the biography, this slimmy is a respectable stand-in.
May 22, 2010
Claudia
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This is a simple introduction to Emerson the man becoming Emerson the writer. I recommend it for anyone endeavoring to seriously be an artist and/or writer, and not for commercial reasons but because they have always felt a need to "pierce this rotten diction and fasten words again to visible things."
Nov 30, 2011
Howard
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Richardson frees Emerson from the cliched mash people have made of him. This short book is as bracing as the best in Emerson. It will send you back to the famous essays and to Richardson’s fine biographies of Emerson and of Thoreau.
Dec 14, 2009
Jordan
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Slim and elegant. Richardson, for my money, is as good of a biographer as exists. This book nails the moral perfectionist impulse in Emerson's prose better than any I know.
Feb 21, 2010
"The way to write is to throw your body at the mark when your arrows are spent.”
I love Emerson so much.
I love Emerson so much.
Oct 02, 2010
James
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All in all, a decent book, but for the most part it just reminded me why I don't much care for Emerson's writing. There were some helpful nuggets, but I don't expect I'll be picking up anything by Emerson any time soon.
Sep 24, 2010
Thomas
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For anyone who writes or dreams of writing, I highly recommend this wonderful book about Ralph Waldo Emerson's views on writing. Read my full review at my blog: Inheriting the Trade
Feb 06, 2012
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