Selections of prose and poetry drawn from the Centenary Edition of "The Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson", published 1903-1904, and from his "Journals", edited by Edward and Waldo Emerson 1909.

We join Emerson in the opportunity he presents to consider the "infinitude of man" and celebrate the "spiritual powers" in their "infinite contrast to the mechanical powers and mechanistic philosophy".

The Essays are true "prose" in the highest most content-filled pith-delivered multiple-sense. Reading this range of subjects is a rich education. The Poetry is transcendental - erotic and angelic. Finally, the Journals are enlightening.

As a public speaker, the American public sought Emerson more than any other. He was the highest-paid and most sought-after public figure lecturer in the 1860's. He ignited the Progressive Era in America, where most of the achievements of which we are most proud were rooted. He laid the foundation of the greatest upswing of moral middle class prosperity the world had ever seen. He presents a coherence to fill the void of obsolescence as the world changes.

Interestingly, while presenting this vision, one never sees/hears Emerson snarling or sneering at his critics -- this liberal did not stoop to the tactics of the hypocrites and plutocrats. Is there a single great man who became so by belittling others? Nothing of the crudity we hear in the attacks on liberals from this great liberal. ( )