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

In 'The Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson', readers are immersed in a collection of essays, poems, and lectures from one of America's most influential transcendentalist writers. Emerson's literary style is characterized by his philosophical insights, idealism, and individualism, making his works both timeless and thought-provoking. His writings often explore the relationship between humanity and nature, the importance of self-reliance, and the power of intuition. This comprehensive compilation provides readers with a deep dive into Emerson's profound reflections on life, society, and the human experience. Through his eloquent prose and poetic language, Emerson invites readers to contemplate the mysteries of existence and the interconnectedness of all things. Ralph Waldo Emerson, a prominent figure in the American transcendentalist movement, was inspired by his own experiences with nature, his studies of philosophy, and his observations of society to write his thought-provoking works. As a poet, essayist, and lecturer, Emerson sought to challenge conventional beliefs and inspire individuals to think independently and embrace their own truths. His profound insights continue to resonate with readers across generations, making his works essential reading for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of human existence. I highly recommend 'The Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson' to readers who are passionate about philosophy, nature, and self-discovery. Emerson's timeless wisdom and profound reflections on life offer valuable insights and inspiration for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the world and their place within it.

Emerson's second collection of essays appeared in 1844, when he was forty-one. It includes eight essays--"The Poet," "Experience," "Character," "Manners," "Gifts," "Nature," "Politics," and "Nominalist and Realist"--and one address, the much misunderstood "New England Reformers." Essays: Second Series has a lightness of tone and an irony absent from the earlier writings, but it is no less memorable: "a sermon to me," Carlyle wrote, "a real word." The present edition, drawing on the vast body of Emerson scholarship of the last forty years, incorporates all the textual changes Emerson made or demonstrably intended to make after 1844. It records variant wordings and recounts the development of the text before and after publication. A list of parallel passages makes it possible to trace Emerson's extensive use of material from his journals, notebooks, and lectures. Endnotes provide information about people, events, and now-obscure terms. A brief historical introduction places the book in the context of the years during which it was written, the time of Brook Farm, The Dial, and the death of Emerson's five year-old son. Historical Introduction and Notes by Joseph Slater Text Established by Alfred R. Ferguson and Jean Ferguson Carr Textual Introduction and Apparatus by Jean Ferguson Carr