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Self-Reliance Audiobook
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(4.05) - 19 listener ratings
Publisher Description
Redefining the classic essay, this modern edition of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s most famous work, Self-Reliance, includes self-reflections from both historical and contemporary luminaries. With quotes from the likes of Henry Ford and Helen Keller to modern-day thought leaders like Jesse Dylan, Steve Pressfield, and Milton Glaser, we're reminded of the relevance of Emerson’s powerful words today. Emerson’s words are timeless. Persuasive and convincing, he challenges readers to define their own sense of accomplishment and asks them to measure themselves against their own standards, not those of society. This famous orator has utter faith in individualism and doesn’t invoke beyond what is humanly possible, he just believes deeply that each of us is capable of greatness. He asks us to define that greatness for ourselves and to be true to ourselves. At times harsh, at times comforting, Emerson’s words guide the reader to challenge their own beliefs and sense of self. This modern edition of Self-Reliance is ideal for graduates or those who are in the midst of a career or lifestyle change. Emerson's sage guidance wrapped in modern-day reflections is a great reminder about the potential within us all and that life is what you make of it.
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"I must say that I love Emerson! Sometimes it's a little difficult to get through his work. It's not particularly entertaining, but it's full of amazing advice. Emerson had the right idea about life and I love his work. "
— Tricia (5 out of 5 stars)
Self-Reliance Listener Reviews
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" Short but important book! (essay?) Makes you think a lot what it means to be a man... As a woman, this is interesting. "
— Amy, 9/12/2013 -
" Short but important book! (essay?) Makes you think a lot what it means to be a man... As a woman, this is interesting. "
— Amy, 7/2/2011 -
" Si fuera homosexual, definitivamente "saldría del clóset" con el texto de este ensayo. "
— Maria, 4/16/2011 -
" Very difficult to understand. Is much better when read aloud and in a group for interpretation. But is a moving piece of work. "
— Monica, 2/8/2011 -
" My favorite quote from this books is akin to people who make a different are misunderstood but persevere anyways "
— Abhi, 1/17/2011 -
" For how much I liked Thoreau, I was surprised I couldn't much tolerate Emerson. "
— Aaron, 12/31/2010 -
" I can't get enough of this book right now. "
— Mandy, 11/18/2010 -
" I love Ralph Waldo! I can only understand 1 out of every 5 things he says, but the parts I am getting are brilliant. I hear the American Scholar essay is fantastic. Can't wait to read it. "
— Andrea, 10/16/2010 -
" Very good essay, seems to pull from a lot of the Stoic teachings. "
— Paul, 10/9/2010 -
" I agreed with Emerson's points in Self-Reliance. Although it was difficult to read, he presented his arguments and had substantial evidence to back it up. Nice. "
— Gretchen, 7/10/2010 -
" I read it before...but would like to read it again...food for thoughts. "
— PaKong, 3/24/2010 -
" just the essay self-reliance is the bookclub choice for January discussion "
— Lucy, 1/26/2010 -
" Emerson does not impress me, though I think he would very much like to. "
— Laurele, 9/9/2009 -
" Somehow the writings of Thoreau and Emerson resonate for me in a way that nothing else does. It's like they are discussing ideas I've felt inside secretly my whole life. "
— Jenny, 12/31/2008 -
" The way a person should be... "
— Stephenee, 12/4/2008 -
" This has some very good points but is overall incredibly boring. "
— Carrie, 11/3/2008 -
" I reread this one whenever people piss me off by trying to tell me what to do. "
— Tobi, 4/14/2008 -
" Great essay - one of few I am glad my high school teacher made me read. "
— Michelle, 3/17/2008
About Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882) was a renowned lecturer and writer whose ideas on philosophy, religion, and literature influenced many writers, including Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman. After an undergraduate career at Harvard, he studied at Harvard Divinity School and became an ordained minister. He led the transcendentalist movement in America in the mid-nineteenth century. He is perhaps most well known for his publications Essays and Nature.
About Kurt Andersen
Joyce Bean is an accomplished audiobook narrator and director. In addition to having won several AudioFile Earphones Awards, she has been nominated multiple times for the prestigious Audie Award. Equally adept at narrating fiction and nonfiction, and she also narrates audiobooks under the name Jane Brown.