Emerson

The Mind on Fire

By: Robert D. Richardson

Narrated by: Michael McConnohie

Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of the most important figures in the history of American thought, religion, and literature. The vitality of his writings and the unsettling power of his example continue to influence us more than a hundred years after his death. Now Robert D. Richardson Jr. brings to life an Emerson very different from the old stereotype of the passionless Sage of Concord. Drawing on a vast amount of new material, including correspondence among the Emerson brothers, Richardson gives us a rewarding intellectual biography that is also a portrait of the whole man.

These chapters present a young suitor, a grief-stricken widower, an affectionate father, and a man with an abiding genius for friendship.

The great spokesman for individualism and self-reliance turns out to have been a good neighbor, an activist citizen, a loyal brother. Here is an Emerson who knew how to laugh, who was self-doubting as well as self-reliant, and who became the greatest intellectual adventurer of his age.

Richardson has, as much as possible, let Emerson speak for himself through his published works, his many journals and notebooks, his letters, his reported conversations. This is not merely a study of Emerson's writing and his influence on others; it is Emerson's life as he experienced it. We see the failed minister, the struggling writer, the political reformer, the poetic liberator.

The Emerson of this book not only influenced Thoreau, Fuller, Whitman, Dickinson, and Frost, he also inspired Nietzsche, William James, Baudelaire, Marcel Proust, Virginia Woolf, and Jorge Luis Borges. Emerson's timeliness is persistent and striking: his insistence that literature and science are not separate cultures, his emphasis on the worth of every individual, his respect for nature.

Richardson gives careful attention to the enormous range of Emerson's readings - from Persian poets to George Sand - and to his many friendships and personal encounters - from Mary Moody Emerson to the Cherokee chiefs in Boston - evoking both the man and the times in which he lived. Throughout this book, Emerson's unquenchable vitality reaches across the decades, and his hold on us endures.

©1995 Robert D. Richardson, Jr. (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

The sage of Concord

Richardson says he wrote an intellectual biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) but had to include the normal biography information so the reader would have context to the events. Richardson has, as much as possible, let Emerson speak for himself through his published works, his journals and note books, his letters and reported conversations. The author not only covers Emerson’s writings and his influence on others but his life as he experienced it. Richardson gives careful attention to the enormous range of Emerson’s readings and to his friendships. Richardson goes into Emerson’s founding of the Transcendentalist Club.

The author points out the wide range of people that Emerson influenced such as, Thoreau, Alcott, Dickerson, Fuller, Whitman, and Frost. He also inspired Nietzsche, William James, Baudelaire, Marcel Proust, Virginia Woolf and Jorge Luis Borges.

Richardson did meticulous research for the book. The book is more or less easy to read but I felt there were too many repetitions and diversions that were unnecessary to the main point of the biography. I did enjoy learning more about Emerson. The book was 27 hours long and Michael McConnohie narrated the book.

All I was looking for and more

Any additional comments?

I really wanted to learn 'why do I know this name'. Sure I knew he was a famous writer, but sadly I knew nothing else. This was completely engaging! 26 hours and I have listened twice through already. Excellent work by the author and narrator.

Great Book

This is an excellent biography of a great man. The author does a good job showing the development of Emersons thoughts.

well worth the time

I had a copy of Richardson's book in my hand and listened to the recording. It was a pleasure to experience the admirable piece of scholarship with the aid of McConnohe's clear, effective reading.

As good as I expected

I think Waldo would have really appreciated having Audible to ease the burden on his fragile eyes. The amount of books he consumed was impressive The author provides good insight into this amazing man. He was greater than he thought.

Finally!

A comprehensive study of Emerson! How long have we been waiting for that! Back in the 90's, I read everything by Emerson, the essays, the poetry, the travel books, absolute every delicious metaphor and trope. I have read bios of the man before, but none so in-depth and comprehensive as this marvelous volume. If Emerson had written a formal autobiography, I suspect it would have been much like this book. An absolute must read for the Emerson fan!

Entertaining, erudite, engaging

Emerson was a fascinating individual, and this biography details his life and thinking in ways that are compelling. I was sorry when it was over.

Richardson also goes into great detail about Emerson's sources, and parses his essays and books, delves into his relationships and gives us a full portrait of the man.

A great biography. No wonder it is the standard in Emerson studies.

It's own best evidence

Emerson believed that history consists of nothing but biography and this book is the best evidence for that as well as making the case for all the claims that Emerson would make about the potential of art, poetry and writing to enable each person to find within themselves something transcendent.

Mr. Richardson does a really impressive job in weaving together all the strands in a way that alternates between informational and inspirational at just the right interval to draw the reader/listener along through all 100 chapters and be ready to start over. Kudos to Mr. McConnohie at a superb job making this listen as good as it is. I can easily say that of the hundreds of audiobooks I've listened to, this is easily in my top 5 now.

Very detailed and impressive biography

Remarkable story of a great man’s life! I would hardly know Emerson better if I lived next door. Very detailed, but admirers of the man should appreciate that. Narrator’s performance is just perfect for the material.

American pioneer of words

The most comprehensive book about this man who put American pros on the global stage.