Do we have any Ralph Waldo Emerson fans here?

[Tobin S.]

If I were to read one book by him, which one would to recommend?

I'm especially interested in his poetry, but I'm not limiting things to that if you find his other works more interesting.

[flyingfysh]

1. you can't wrong with Emerson; pick anything

A good starting point is Self Reliance, but everything he wrote is good. There are several Kindle versions of his writings on Amazon for prices as low as 99 cents.

If you ever get a chance to go to Concord, Massachusetts during the summer, you should see if his house is open. These days it's open to the public 3 days a week during the summer, I think. They moved his study to the Concord Museum, right across the street. It is very close to the Orchard House, where Bronson Alcott and his daughters (including Louisa May Alcott) lived. There is a building there with the sign Concord School of Philosophy (if I remember correctly) which held frequent lectures on all kinds of topics, and Emerson was a frequent speaker there. Once there was a fire at Emerson's house, and Louisa May Alcott came over to help rescue his papers.

If you get out west to Amherst to visit the house where Emily Dickinson lived, the house right next door (also occupied by the extended Dickenson family) has a plush chair which they point out to visitors. Once Emerson visited there as an honored guest, and that chair was reserved for him.

[Tobin S.]

3. Thanks. I appreciate the information.

[beachbum bob]

2. Ralph Waldo Emerson. Essays on Transcendentism

I am also proud to say he is an ancestor of mine.

[Tobin S.]

4. Lucky you! Thank you.

Was any of his writing ability passed on to you?

[MH1]

5. Any of them; all of them ...

Below is not my listing. I have this book - passed down through family generations - and not planning to get rid of it. The one at this listing appears to be in much better condition.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-WRITINGS-OF-RALPH-WALDO-EMERSON-Complete-in-1-Vol-Wise-Vintage-1929/323665082538?hash=item4b5bf138aa:g:JIoAAOSwAbFcSm5K

Listed for $35.25 and free shipping.

If you can afford it, snap it up.

(again, not my listing, and I do not know the lister ... I just went on ebay to check the possible value of my copy)

[Tobin S.]

6. Thank you! I appreciate the heads up.

[smirkymonkey]

7. I agree. I love everything by Emerson.

He is such a comfort to me. When I read him, I feel like I have found a long-lost friend.

[panader0]

9. A group of people in heaven were arguing about who was the best poet,

Emerson or Longfellow. Just then Emerson and Longfellow appeared.
A contest was set up to create a poem, and the word to be used was
Timbukto.
Longfellow thought for a moment and said:
"As the setting sun set o'er the land
and cast silver shadows on the sand,
I spied a ship on the ocean blue,
it's course was set for Timbukto."
Then it was Emerson's turn:
"As Tim and I a-hiking went
We spied three maidens in a tent.
As they were three and we were two,
I buk one and Tim buk to."

Sorry everyone.......