Self-Reliance : The Wisdom of Ralph Waldo Emerson as Inspiration for Daily Living

Rating:
Summary: Totally inspiring...
Review: I cannot pick up this book without feeling encouraged and inspired. The editor has gone through and picked out some of the best passages from Emerson's works, thus saving us the trouble of wading through hundreds of pages of prose for the really good stuff. Everyone needs a copy of this book.

Rating:
Summary: I should have remained illiterate
Review: I just finished reading Self-Reliance by Emerson. It was subjected to me by my overly-enthusiastic english teacher who thought that the transcendental movement was best described via his retarded words. Well, it wasn't. It sucked. A lot. Bravo, Mr. Emerson. Yeah, I know that he thought he was changing the world when he wrote it, and that he KNEW his work was supposed to be revolutionary, yet, here we are; embittered and angry, seeking revenge. You know, it's times like these when I wish that I was illiterate. While reading this 26 page drivel, my incredibly bored and irritated brain decided to give me visions of thrusting thorns into my eyes so I could stop reading. For any of you who have to read this, please do so, I mean after all, if i had to you have to. Sincerely, Laphroaig

Rating:
Summary: Awesome
Review: So dude, I was totally blown away by this book. Emerson was like some sort of genious, I mean, like up to now I always felt trapped and unable to cope and stuff but now I feel like I can do anything. Or as Emerson would say, "Actuate to the fullest" Right on! I mean now I could go live in the woods on acorns and stuff and be fine because I have self-reliance. I read this book in my class called English in high-school and we were studying a group called the Trancalendarists or something and apparently Emerson was one of them and he wrote this to show how cool it was. Well I'm a believer too baby. So read this book it will change your life for the better. I guess Emerson summed up endings the best so I'll leave you with his memorable statement, "In the netherworld of indecidabilty, there is but one truth, and this truth is the incorrigible falseness of truth people. Ignore them all" Take it to the bank and stay cool, friends.

Rating:
Summary: Totally inspiring...
Review: This is the first book by Emerson that I've read, but hope to read more of his essays later. The book really is inspirational. Emerson is an excellent writer and his words flow together like nothing I've ever read. The essays in this book are pure poetry.... really beautiful. Even if you don't believe in the Transcendalist/Idealist view, you can still read this book and feel like you've gotten something out of it. I would recommend this for anyone who has a liking for beautiful writing.