Synopses & Reviews
Review
A "critical" and unmodernized text as close to Emerson's original intent as modern bibliographic research can come. Library Journal
Synopsis
Emerson, Alfred Kazin observes in his Introduction, "was a great writer who turned the essay into a form all his own." His celebrated essays--the twelve published in Essays: First Series (1841) and eight in Essays: Second Series (1844)--are here presented for the first time in an authoritative one-volume edition, which incorporates all the changes and corrections Emerson made after their initial publication.
About the Author
Alfred R. Ferguson was, until his death, Professor of English at the University of Massachusetts, Boston.Alfred Kazin is Distinguished Professor of English, Emeritus, at Hunter College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York. He is the author and editor of many books, including, most recently, A Writer's America: Landscape in American Literature.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Essays: First Series
I. History
II. Self-Reliance
III. Compensation
IV. Spiritual Laws
V. Love
VI. Friendship
VII. Prudence
VIII. Heroism
IX. The Over-Soul
X. Circles
XI. Intellect
XII. Art
Essays: Second Series
I. The Poet
II. Experience
III. Character
IV. Manners
V. Gifts
VI. Nature
VII. Politics
VIII. Nominalist and Realist
Index