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Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Nature and Selected Essays (Penguin Classics) Paperback – May 27, 2003

by Ralph Waldo Emerson (Author), Larzer Ziff (Editor, Introduction)
4.6 out of 5 stars 235 ratings
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An indispensible look at Emerson's influential life philosophy

Through his writing and his own personal philosophy, Ralph Waldo Emerson unburdened his young country of Europe's traditional sense of history and showed Americans how to be creators of their own circumstances. His mandate, which called for harmony with, rather than domestication of, nature, and for a reliance on individual integrity, rather than on materialistic institutions, is echoed in many of the great American philosophical and literary works of his time and ours, and has given an impetus to modern political and social activism.

Larzer Ziff's introduction to this collection of fifteen of Emerson's most significant writings provides the important backdrop to the society in which Emerson lived during his formative years.

For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Classics
  4. Publication date
    May 27, 2003
  5. Dimensions
    5.1 x 0.6 x 7.8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780142437629
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0142437629
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ralph Waldo Emerson, the son of a Unitarian minister and a chaplain during the American Revolution, was born in 1803 in Boston. He attended the Boston Latin School, and in 1817 entered Harvard, graduating in 1820. Emerson supported himself as a schoolteacher from 1821-26. In 1826 he was "approbated to preach," and in 1829 became pastor of the Scond Church (Unitarian) in Boston. That same year he married Ellen Louise Tucker, who was to die of tuberculosis only seventeen months later. In 1832 Emerson resigned his pastorate and traveled to Eurpe, where he met Coleridge, Wordsworth, and Carlyle. He settled in Concord, Massachusetts, in 1834, where he began a new career as a public lecturer, and married Lydia Jackson a year later. A group that gathered around Emerson in Concord came to be known as "the Concord school," and included Bronson Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Margaret Fuller. Every year Emerson made a lecture tour; and these lectures were the source of most of his essays. Nature (1836), his first published work, contained the essence of his transcendental philosophy, which views the world of phenomena as a sort of symbol of the inner life and emphasizes individual freedom and self-reliance. Emerson's address to the Phi Beta Kappa society of Harvard (1837) and another address to the graduating class of the Harvard Divinity School (1838) applied his doctrine to the scholar and the clergyman, provoking sharp controversy. An ardent abolitionist, Emerson lectured and wrote widely against slavery from the 1840's through the Civil War. His principal publications include two volumes ofEssays (1841, 1844), Poems (1847), Representative Men (1850), The Conduct of Life (1860), and Society and Solitude (1870). He died of pneumonia in 1882 and was buried in Concord.

Larzer Ziff is a research professor of English at Johns Hopkins University who has written extensively on American literary culture.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 014243762X
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Classics; Reissue edition (May 27, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780142437629
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0142437629
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.1 x 0.6 x 7.8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 235 ratings

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Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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There are few people as quoted and quotable as Ralph Waldo Emerson, founder of the transcendental movement and author of classic essays as Self-Reliance, Nature, and The American Scholar. Emerson began his career as a Unitarian minister and later put those oratory skills to move us toward a better society. More remains written on him than by him.

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4.6 out of 5 stars
235 global ratings

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Customers praise the book's beautiful prose and eloquent writing style. They find the content enlightening, with one customer noting its fascinating transcendental philosophy.

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8 customers mention "Eloquence"8 positive0 negative

Customers praise the book's eloquent and beautiful prose, with one customer noting it's a great collection of essays.

"...Emerson has some amazing truths to share, he uses a poetic and eloquent style of writing hence the need for patience...." Read more

"For anyone who enjoys beautiful prose with intellectually stimulating ideas and thoughts--this book is a "MUST-HAVE" for your library..." Read more

"...You know it's a masterpiece when the argument and content still maintain their efficiency and adaptability more to this time now than Emerson's own..." Read more

"Emerson is amazing, one of the most talented writers in the english language, full of dialectic sophistication, loving intuition, poetic beauty and..." Read more

6 customers mention "Enlightenedness"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enlightening, with reviews mentioning its intellectually stimulating ideas, fascinating transcendental philosophy, and its ability to enrich the soul.

"...Emerson has some amazing truths to share, he uses a poetic and eloquent style of writing hence the need for patience...." Read more

"For anyone who enjoys beautiful prose with intellectually stimulating ideas and thoughts--this book is a "MUST-HAVE" for your library..." Read more

"...collection of essays, which contains a rare assortment of favorites: experience, self-reliance, history, and the skeptic." Read more

"This book really shows you the true wonders life has to offer. Would by it again just to have a 2nd copy!" Read more

A good intro to Emerson
5 out of 5 stars
A good intro to Emerson
This book required patience and a dictionary on hand while reading. Which is not a bad thing if you can stick with it. Emerson has some amazing truths to share, he uses a poetic and eloquent style of writing hence the need for patience. Take time to chew on what he’s saying and meditate on it to get the most out of it. He had some revolutionary ideas that are timeless even though they were written over 100 years ago. If you’d like an intro to Transcendentalism and are curious about the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson then I definitely suggest checking this out! It includes the famous “Nature” essay as well as “The American Scholar”, “Man the Reformer”, “History”, “Self Reliance”, “The Oversoul”, “Circles”, “The Transcendentalist”, “The Poet”, “Experience”, “Montaigne”, “Napoleon”, “Fate”, and “Thoreau”.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Carolyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good intro to Emerson
    Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This book required patience and a dictionary on hand while reading. Which is not a bad thing if you can stick with it. Emerson has some amazing truths to share, he uses a poetic and eloquent style of writing hence the need for patience. Take time to chew on what he’s saying and meditate on it to get the most out of it. He had some revolutionary ideas that are timeless even though they were written over 100 years ago.

    If you’d like an intro to Transcendentalism and are curious about the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson then I definitely suggest checking this out! It includes the famous “Nature” essay as well as “The American Scholar”, “Man the Reformer”, “History”, “Self Reliance”, “The Oversoul”, “Circles”, “The Transcendentalist”, “The Poet”, “Experience”, “Montaigne”, “Napoleon”, “Fate”, and “Thoreau”.
    Customer image
    Carolyn
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    A good intro to Emerson

    Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2021
    This book required patience and a dictionary on hand while reading. Which is not a bad thing if you can stick with it. Emerson has some amazing truths to share, he uses a poetic and eloquent style of writing hence the need for patience. Take time to chew on what he’s saying and meditate on it to get the most out of it. He had some revolutionary ideas that are timeless even though they were written over 100 years ago.

    If you’d like an intro to Transcendentalism and are curious about the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson then I definitely suggest checking this out! It includes the famous “Nature” essay as well as “The American Scholar”, “Man the Reformer”, “History”, “Self Reliance”, “The Oversoul”, “Circles”, “The Transcendentalist”, “The Poet”, “Experience”, “Montaigne”, “Napoleon”, “Fate”, and “Thoreau”.
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    11 people found this helpful
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  • Stephen M. McPherson
    5.0 out of 5 stars RWEmerson--WOW! What else is there to say?
    Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2002
    Verified Purchase
    For anyone who enjoys beautiful prose with intellectually stimulating ideas and thoughts--this book is a "MUST-HAVE" for your library collection! These classic and quotable essays are enlighting and refreshing! If you (like I do) reject the Transcendentalist doctrine and theology, you may find yourself dismissing a couple of the essays as too tasking ideologically as they are at times on the fringe of transcendental ideology. Emerson's use of the English language, however, is a breath of fresh air in this era where the common vernacular is characterized by the grotesque abuses of ebonics, profanity, and laziness. It would be incredibly wonderful if all Americans would return to the most eloquent and beautiful use of our language as Emerson does.
    9 people found this helpful
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  • Reese
    5.0 out of 5 stars Emerson's "Self-reliance" & "Nature" have become the very advice that ...
    Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Emerson's "Self-reliance" & "Nature" have become the very advice that most of us need to heed in this day and age. You know it's a masterpiece when the argument and content still maintain their efficiency and adaptability more to this time now than Emerson's own time.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Jim Clark
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very exuberant and often thoughtful
    Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I'd probably give this a 3.5 rating because I like Emerson but he gets ahead of himself: just read his section on drawing a circle around yourself and keep troublesome people out (I'm simplifying.) I guess Mr. Emerson had never heard of "hostile takeovers" in business. (Which aren't all bad.) So, even though I strongly endorse his can-do attitude I think he occasionally gets naive. Much to like and admire but don't go overboard with it.
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  • Itamar Bar-Zakay
    5.0 out of 5 stars Emerson- amazing
    Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Emerson is amazing, one of the most talented writers in the english language, full of dialectic sophistication, loving intuition, poetic beauty and astute observation. This is a great collection of essays, which contains a rare assortment of favorites: experience, self-reliance, history, and the skeptic.
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Jack Carter
    5.0 out of 5 stars These essays were given to me by my father. They worked for me then...
    Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    All of Ralph Waldo's works were invariably eloquent, logical, and well thought out. My favorite essay is Self Reliance, but I thing they all have pertinent lessons.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Points on Life
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This book really shows you the true wonders life has to offer. Would by it again just to have a 2nd copy!
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Sarah F.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
    Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I've always been a huge Ralph Waldo Emerson fan. Any fan of literature and nature that has not read this definitely should.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Kat
    5.0 out of 5 stars It’s a Penguin Classic
    Reviewed in Canada on June 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    American publication, so the cover is a little shinier and the black is more of a blue-black than the UK Penguin Classics (in case your collection skews one way or another). Great quality paper.
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    Kat
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    It’s a Penguin Classic

    Reviewed in Canada on June 26, 2024
    American publication, so the cover is a little shinier and the black is more of a blue-black than the UK Penguin Classics (in case your collection skews one way or another). Great quality paper.
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  • Simon Sanati
    5.0 out of 5 stars Prima!
    Reviewed in Germany on August 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Super!
    Report
  • Carlos
    5.0 out of 5 stars Obra de Arte
    Reviewed in Spain on July 7, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Es una obra de arte de principio a fin. La parte de Thoreau - a quien admiro y mucho - es excelente
    Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I have 5 stars what's not tonlike
    Report
  • Master Saka
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful collection of Emerson, wrapped in a Penguin Classic motif.
    Reviewed in Canada on July 27, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    An Excellent source and collection of Emerson's work. Apart from the wonderful Author - The Penguin Classics are a great way to have a consistent aesthetic of your books, where the spines all align while being stored on your bookshelf. Apart from the exterior, the interior provides high quality representation of the author's works - highly legible, and segmented appropriately.

    This is a recommendation for the authorship, and finding consistency in the Penguin Classics motif. Enjoy each opportunity to indulge in the new information each one contains.
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