"Letters and Social Aims" by Ralph Waldo Emerson is a profound collection of Emerson’s writings that delves into his thoughts on society, individuality, and personal growth. This volume gathers a series of letters and essays where Emerson explores the interplay between personal ideals and societal expectations, offering readers an insightful perspective on social and philosophical issues. In this influential work, Emerson reflects on the role of the individual in shaping and responding to social change. His letters and essays address themes such as self-reliance, moral responsibility, and the quest for authenticity. Through eloquent prose and thoughtful analysis, Emerson provides a nuanced examination of the challenges and opportunities that arise in the pursuit of a meaningful life. "Letters and Social Aims" is celebrated for its intellectual depth and philosophical rigor. Emerson’s keen observations and reflections offer timeless wisdom on navigating the complexities of modern life and fostering personal and social development. This book is an essential read for those interested in transcendental philosophy, social theory, and the enduring relevance of Emerson’s ideas. This collection not only showcases Emerson’s literary prowess but also provides a valuable lens through which to understand the evolving dynamics of individual and societal interaction. Its profound insights and philosophical richness make it a significant addition to the study of Emerson’s work and the broader discourse on social philosophy.

Letters and Social Aims, published in 1875, contains essays originally published early in the 1840s as well as those that were the product of a collaborative effort among Emerson, his daughter Ellen Tucker Emerson, his son Edward Waldo Emerson, and his literary executor James Eliot Cabot. The volume takes up the topics of Poetry and Imagination, Social Aims, Eloquence, Resources, The Comic, Quotation and Originality, Progress of Culture, Persian Poetry, Inspiration, Greatness, and, appropriately for Emerson's last published book, Immortality. The historical introduction demonstrates for the first time the decline in Emerson's creative powers after 1865; the strain caused by the preparation of a poetry anthology and delivery of lectures at Harvard during this time; the devastating effect of a house fire in 1872; and how the Emerson children and Cabot worked together to enable Emerson to complete the book. The textual introduction traces this collaborative process in detail and also provides new information about the genesis of the volume as a response to a proposed unauthorized British edition of Emerson's works. Historical Introduction by Ronald A. BoscoNotes and Parallel Passages by Glen M. JohnsonText Established and Textual Introduction and Apparatus by Joel Myerson

This meticulously edited collection contains the essential writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson. The book is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents: Introduction: Ralph Waldo Emerson Books: The Conduct of Life: Fate Power Wealth Culture Behavior Worship Considerations by the Way Beauty Illusions Essays-First Series: History Self-Reliance Compensation Spiritual Laws Love Friendship Prudence Heroism The Over-Soul Circles Intellect Art Essays-Second Series: The Poet Experience Character Manners Gifts Nature Politics Nominalist and Realist New England Reformers Nature: Commodity Beauty Language Discipline Idealism Spirit Prospects Representative Men: Plato Emanuel Swedenborg Michel de Montaigne William Shakespeare Napoleon Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Addresses and Lectures: The American Scholar An Address in Divinity College Literary Ethics The Method of Nature Man the Reformer Lecture on The Times The Conservative The Transcendentalist The Young American

In American fiction, two forms of the Arthurian myth are commonly found: the use of the myth for political reasons, and the use of the myth for the continuation of an aesthetic tradition that can be traced back to the earliest use of the Arthurian cycle by writers in the British Isles. This work traces the use of the legend from Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court to Donald Barthelme's novel The King. It discusses how Twain used the myth to take a stand against England, how it served cultural and aesthetic purposes in John Steinbeck's writing, how Raymond Chandler used it in complex texts with less obvious Arthurian allusions that carried strong cultural and even political associations, how John Gardner used aspects of the myth to embellish already existing narrative structures and to underscore philosophic debates, and how Donald Barthelme suggests the continuing interest of American writers in the Arthurian legend today in his novels. Also discussed is the effect of World War II on American literature and the Arthurian myth and the Camelot image surrounding the Kennedys.

This is John Burroughs 1887 work, "Birds And Poets". It contains masterful sketches of bird life interspersed with delightful poems, interesting historical information, and beautiful descriptive prose. This volume will appeal to all with a love of nature writing and poetry, and it would make for a fantastic addition to any collection. Contents include: "Birds and Poets", "Touches Of Nature", "A Bird Medley", "April", "Spring Poems", "Our Rural Divinity", "Before Genius", "Before Beauty", "Emerson", and "The Flight Of The Eagle". John Burroughs (1837 - 1921) was an American naturalist, essayist, and active member of the U.S. conservation movement. Burroughs' work was incredibly popular during his lifetime, and his legacy has lived on in the form of twelve U.S. Schools named after him, Burroughs Mountain, and the John Burroughs Association-which publicly recognizes well-written and illustrated natural history publications. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.