5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth owning

D.R.G. · April 3, 2020

This is a very nice edition. It's bound well, with excellent typography, not a typo anywhere, the type is in a good size, the paper is good quality, and there is even a ribbon bookmark sewn in. So why read Emerson? Well, he was one-of-a-kind, he was far ahead of his time for the most part, and he had a great way with words. At the same time, he was deeply flawed. His infatuation with strong, charismatic leaders (like Napoleon) makes him out to be a kind of crypto-fascist. He came somewhat late to the abolitionist cause. He was also somewhat of an elitist. Some of the essays and lectures are tiresome to read, but there are some real gems. In particular, I adored the opening series of lectures on Nature. The other great lecture from the first section is The Conservative. This is a very profound work, and it has altered the way I think of the conservative-vs-liberal dialectic. The essays on History, on Self-Reliance, and on Compensation are classics. Emerson does not currently command the respect he once did in a simpler time. The writing will exhaust and tire you if you try to take it in large doses. I don't believe Emerson was ever meant to be taken in large doses. His writing is too heady; his way of expressing himself too mannered and affected. Nevertheless, in small doses, reading about five pages a day, he is a fascinating companion, even though you certainly won't agree with him on everything.

5.0 out of 5 stars Emerson's prose are pure poetry and brilliance

T.L. · October 15, 2004

Emerson is to the literary world in America as Lincoln was to the political world in the 1860's. His stature as a thinker, writer and public figure to admire brought American literature to new heights.I think Thoreau has more relevance to us in the year 2004, and had profounder insights, but Emerson, more the academic and intellectual, wrote with the elegance and intelligence of the gods. He was much superior to Thoreau in style and breadth of subject matter, he was more well-rounded and able to connect with his peers, both personally and as an author. And through this intimate friendship and association shared by Emerson and Thoreau, and any literary and intellectual comparison made between these two men, only serves to enhance and expand the other's significance and genius. For me there was an integration and balance, a synergy, almost a partnership, in how they contributed to American literature and the intellectual community.This collection is a beautiful addition to my library. It contains Emerson's major essays e.g. 'Nature,' 'Beauty,' 'Compensation,' 'Self-Reliance,' and 'The Poet' and his public addresses e.g. 'The American Scholar,' (a big favorite of mine.)This is a quality collection at a reasonable price. I was actually concerned that the quality might suffer because I thought the price so low. But it was not compromised. Both Emerson and this collection should be in your library. Highly recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars The philosophical underpinnings of the United States.

d. · January 30, 2014

This volume contains all the lectures and essays of the great transcendentalist writer/philosopher/poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. And what volume it is. Nearly all the New England poets and writers of the 19th Century were influenced heavily by this man. His fluidity of prose, and the heavy ideas expressed give one an understanding of the American ideal. What we are as a nation culturally really stems mostly from the thoughts and compositions of this master.His writings on nature is authoritative of the romantic ideal, yet it reads like poetry. His writings are little drops of gold that enrich as you go. What sets Emerson apart in my estimation is that the aphorisms are built into the writing itself. You get the little bits and pieces of wisdom as you go. Which is great for all modern readers. If you don't have time to read a long essay all at once, you can break it up, and still get lasting value for your time.All who want to understand Americanism need to read Emerson. Special kudos to Library of America for keeping works like this in print for all to read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Emerson is a cure for a disease you didn’t know you had.

H.I. · June 7, 2021

Reading these works makes me both more aware of my own inner machinations, and conscious of a side of my mind I should be using more often. I appreciate the fact that I have to read Emerson with a dictionary handy, and I consider myself an amateur lexicographer at heart. I almost feel it a responsibility to own a copy of this work so it’s not totally lost to the annuls of time — this is something I pray my grandchildren will own.

5.0 out of 5 stars Finest Quality

M. · May 17, 2014

I now have several of these Library of America volumes and I love them. This one is no different. They are beautifully bound in various colors of fabric (uniform colored dust covers) with matching ribbon book mark. The binding is solid and durable. The pages are of a fine quality, print is a nice font. The collections within each volume are logical, complimentary, and often comprehensive of a particular author's type of work (e.g. collected poems, essays). These original works were written in english, so translation is not an issue. Editting has been accurate. As these are the works of the original authors, the true value of these volumes are in the works collected and the presentation. For any price, you could not be more pleased. However, because they are so well made, you can find excellent condition used versions for unbelievable prices. If you purchase books to own for your personal library, these will be a treasure on so many levels.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good quality edition

C.F. · April 19, 2024

Sturdy and good quality of materials.Very thin paper but it's ok for me.Some genius thought it was a good idea to put a sticker on the front.

magnifico

F. · August 1, 2020

soberbia obra y material para el espiritu

Camus and Monod endure The Liberation of France

R.H. · February 16, 2023

There are few well timed and detailed writings about WWII than this.The writer has blended the details of the overall historic facts of the War with the clear lives of these two men struggling through their survival of five years of unimaginable hell.

Excelente !!

D.C. · October 15, 2022

Excelente, a maior seleção de ensaios e outros textos de Emerson disponível no mercado. A edição é excelente, usam papel antiácido, ou seja, vai durar pra sempre.

Gran edición

M. · January 10, 2019

Un placer leer a Emerson. Como siempre, una fantástica edición de Library of America.

Great book

A.C. · November 27, 2019

Perfect