The Essential Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson (Modern Library Classics)
by Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Read in May, 2004
Emerson is my favorite poet/philosopher, and this one volume contains all his writings you could ever need. I agree with Emerson wholeheartedly about 33% of the time, disagree with him vehemently about 33%, and can't decide whether I agree or not the rest of the time. But he's always compelling, even if I think he's dead wrong.
The greatest thing about Emerson is how quotable he is. There are dozens of great one-liners here. One of my favorites: "A foolish consistency is the hobgobl...more
The greatest thing about Emerson is how quotable he is. There are dozens of great one-liners here. One of my favorites: "A foolish consistency is the hobgobl...more
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BEAUTIFUL.
"Man is timid and apologetic; he is no longer upright; he dares not say 'I think,' 'I am,' but quotes some saint or sage. He is ashamed before the blade of grass or the blowing rose. These roses under my window make no reference to former roses or to better ones; they are for what they are; they exist with God to-day. There is no time to them. There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of its existence. Before a leaf-bud has burst, its whole life acts; in the full...more
"Man is timid and apologetic; he is no longer upright; he dares not say 'I think,' 'I am,' but quotes some saint or sage. He is ashamed before the blade of grass or the blowing rose. These roses under my window make no reference to former roses or to better ones; they are for what they are; they exist with God to-day. There is no time to them. There is simply the rose; it is perfect in every moment of its existence. Before a leaf-bud has burst, its whole life acts; in the full...more
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Read in May, 2000
Again, I'm counting this as both read and peeked-inside. I've read the major essays and a fair amount of the poetry and smatterings of other work here and there, but this goddamn thing is like 800+ pages!
There's no way I'm going to get through all of it but it is every bit worthwhile when I do dip in.
I agree with Bloom that Ralph is the mind of America, presuming that there really can be such a thing....open it at random and the thing will knock yo out. I turn to it like some do wi...more
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Read in May, 2006
recommends it for:
Those who seek insight on the relationship between man and world
This is a huge book that contains not only every influential essay Emerson wrote, but also a lot of his poetry and a very good introductory biography. Emerson is the perfect author for those who are going through a philosophical awakening and are looking for insights into the world and the way we as humans relate to it, and therefore ourselves. Don't expect a fully developed, systematic philosophy here; transcendentalism is more of a way of seeing things.
Self-Reliance remains my personal fav...more
Self-Reliance remains my personal fav...more
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Read in March, 2002
recommends it for:
Anyone going through an existental crisis
To be honest, I haven't even come close to reading this entire book - I think I was assigned two or three essays in a college sophomore English class. But the presence of "Self-Reliance" alone makes it an essential part of my desert-island library. This is the essay where Emerson makes the famous statement "Trust thyself," and the rest of the essay lays out why. "Self-Reliance" is the ultimate weapon against any bout of insecurity or low self-esteem.
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I really should create a new shelf for these gold standard books from my childhood family library that I read so many times I can no longer rationally judge them. It would be like asking me to rate my hand - it's not more or less useful, important - it simply IS, a part of my self, my interior architecture. So it is with Shakespeare, Plutarch, Poe, Emerson, Melville, Scott.
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In an attempt to imitate Mac of Rose in Bloom with whom (at age 13) I was in love as much as was Rose, I purchased this intending to carry it about and read the whole -- I picked at it instead and loved what I did read but haven't finished it even now fifty years later. Loved what I read -- will go back to it one day and read more -- whether or not I "finish".
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I've read selections from this book - Self Reliance is a great essay to read. These readings pair up nicely with Thoreau readings. I'd imagine a fireplace and a cabin in the woods would be the perfect setting to read these works. But, everyone ought to at least read Self-Reliance as soon as they can!
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Read in June, 2002
I haven't read every essay in here, but I've read quite a few, so I count it. If you love nature, friends, people, art, and any other great thing that came out of transcendentalism, you'll love Emerson. My favorite essays are Nature and Friendship.
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I've read some of Ralph Waldo Emerson's essays. I like his views on nature. He was one of the first Transcendentalists. If you've read Into the Wild and thought about the themes of isolation and connection to nature, this might also interest you.
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This was the first work of Emerson's that I attempted to read. I found the flowery language, liberally sprinkled with clauses, inhibited my ability to understand his concepts. This is the only reason I rated this as merely okay.
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So it is a slight contradiction to have both Emerson and Ellison highly ranked on the same list. Actually having them in the same sentence is objectionable. But thats how I roll.
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recommends it for:
anyone
This collection is as "deep" as it comes. Truely a book that makes you ponder, wonder. If you have any monochrome views on life itself this will help in adding color.
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Sometimes you just have to revisit the stuff you read in college and loved. Or, maybe you did not appreciate it and now you may.
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Read in February, 2007
Emerson is articulate and wonderful to read. His essays remind you how powerful you are and what you can achieve.
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If you have any idea what he's talking about, then it's impossible not to like, or at least respect, the man.
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One of the most intelligent and insightful books I have ever read. It's worthy of a read.
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I keep telling myself I need to read Emerson - so I'm trying to a little bit at a time.
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recommends it for:
anyone
Probably my favorite compilation of writings...thought provoking and uplifting.
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oh ralph, you've given me so much, i only wish i could give something in return.
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book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 4.28 (265 ratings) number of reviews: 30popular shelves
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