The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. CliffsNotes on Thoreau, Emerson, and Transcendentalism explores in depth, but also in easy-to-understand terms, transcendentalism -- the religious, political, and literary movement that captured the minds of such literary figures as Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson in the first half of the 19th century. This guide helps you to understand the various tenets of transcendentalism, as well as how Thoreau and Emerson became the two most well-known figures associated with the movement and how the transcendentalist philosophy is reflected in their work. In addition to introducing you to the basics of understanding transcendentalism, this guide also gives you the following: Examinations of the lives of Thoreau and Emerson. Detailed summaries of and commentaries on many of their transcendentalist writings, such as Emerson's Nature and Thoreau's Walden. Critical essays on Emerson and Thoreau's reputation and influence. A review section that tests your knowledge. A ResourceCenter full of books, articles, and Internet sites. Classic literature or modern modern-day treasure -- you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides. AUTHOR: Leslie Perrin Wilson earned her B.A. in Latin from Wellesley College, her M.S. from the Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science, and her M.A. in English from Simmons College. She has made her career in special collections and archives and has been Curator of Special Collections of the Concord (Massachusetts) Free Public Library since 1996.