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The Art of the personal essay : an anthology from the classical era to the present

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Corporate Authors

Teachers & Writers Collaborative.

Other Authors

Lopate, Phillip, 1943-

Main Language

Essays > Translations into English.

• The Art of the personal essay...

The Art of the personal essay : an anthology from the classical era to the present /

• Description
• Table of Contents

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The Art of the personal essay

An anthology from the classical era to the present, by phillip lopate.

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"A Teachers & Writers Collaborative book."

Includes bibliographical references (p. [771]-777).

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• Created October 15, 2008
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The Art of the Personal Essay: An Anthology from the Classical Era to the Present Summary & Study Guide

The Art of the Personal Essay: An Anthology from the Classical Era to the Present Summary & Study Guide Description

The Art of the Personal Essay: An Anthology from the Classical Era to the Present by Phillip Lopate is a book that compiles dozens of essays from writers that come from different parts of the world and different eras in time. Each of these essays has been picked for their influence on the way the personal essay has evolved throughout history.

The book begins by looking at essay writers that were born around 3 A.D. and the way that their essays were written. The subjects and language style often make it easy to see how much different things have changed. The subjects by these authors will reflect the times and the culture. There is a man that talks about losing his young daughter and how he is sorry he will miss the funeral because he is in a distant place and cannot make it home in time. There is another author that talks about a temple that he has gone to. Sometimes these essays will contain information about daily life, such as public bathhouses. The next chapter in the book deals with only one author, Michel de Montaigne. There are several essays about Montaigne and he is commented on by other essay writers later on in the book as inspiration.

The book goes in chronological order from when the essayists were born in each chapter. The next chapter in the book focuses on "The Rise of the English Essay." While this chapter deals with essays that are easier to understand it is clear that the era in time is still much different from our own. In this chapter the writers include some that are grouped together, such as Addison and Steele, and Virginia Woolf and George Orwell.

As the book moves on it will look at other cultures and their contributions to the essay. These will include Japanese, Chinese, and German writers, and essayists from many other cultures. These essay writers will touch on things important in their cultures and lives and consequently it is difficult to relate to some of the issues they approach. Some of these authors endured many hardships such as persecution from the Nazis and false imprisonment for their outspoken views.

The final chapter in the book deals with American essay writers and their effect on the personal essay. The subjects talked about in this chapter are much easier for the average person to relate to since they are issues we still deal with today. Their subjects include racial issues, political issues, the effect we are having on the environment and many others.

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The Art of the Personal Essay by Phillip Lopate

• Publication Date: January 15, 1995
• Paperback: 777 pages
• Publisher: Anchor
• ISBN-10: 038542339X
• ISBN-13: 9780385423397
• About the Book
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Phillip Lopate

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The Art of the Personal Essay: An Anthology from the Classical Era to the Present Paperback – January 15, 1995

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Reading age 1 year and up
• Print length 777 pages
• Language English
• Lexile measure 1180L
• Dimensions 6.2 x 2 x 9.2 inches
• Publisher Vintage
• Publication date January 15, 1995
• ISBN-10 038542339X
• ISBN-13 978-0385423397
• See all details

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"Packed with personality and beguiling first-person prose... of reminders of the perils and pleasures of the craft." -- The Wall Street Journal .

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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage; First Edition (January 15, 1995)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 777 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 038542339X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0385423397
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 1 year and up
• Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1180L
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.35 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.2 x 2 x 9.2 inches
• #10 in Comparative Literature
• #176 in Essays (Books)
• #698 in Short Stories Anthologies

About the author

Phillip lopate.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 73% 13% 8% 0% 5% 73%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 73% 13% 8% 0% 5% 13%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 73% 13% 8% 0% 5% 8%
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• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 73% 13% 8% 0% 5% 5%

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Customers say

Customers find the essays in the book great, amazing, and sterling examples of personal essay writing. They describe the collection as outstanding, excellent, and a classic anthology. Readers also find the introductions insightful, informative, and helpful. They also say the stories are interesting and entertaining.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the essays in the book great, wonderful, and amazing. They say the variety of essays is absolutely amazing and the text is an excellent resource for those studying writing. Readers also mention the anthology is perfect for short essay lovers and a lovely way to teach food addicts about how to recover.

" Wonderful writing in the personal essay format by writers from Seneca to Thurber, from Montaigne to Orwell, on subjects that are all over the map...." Read more

" Great text for accessing sterling examples of personal essay writing." Read more

"This book is full of all the classic essays and is an excellent resource for those studying writing...." Read more

"...The kindle edition is loaded with errors. Hundreds of misspelled words of words with strange type setting and spacing...." Read more

Customers find the book wonderful, enjoyable, and timely. They say it works well for readers and writers alike. Readers also mention the book will make them better writers and readers.

"...The book works well for readers and writers alike ...." Read more

"... A reading treat , all the way through." Read more

"...It has the story's I need so it works well " Read more

"...I didn't read the whole thing, only some selections, but it was a good read ." Read more

Customers find the collection outstanding, excellent, and classic. They say the essays are brilliant.

"A classic anthology -- read the essays from cover to cover or pick through them by author or subject...." Read more

"This anthology is perfect for short essay lovers. So much great stuff in here !..." Read more

"...Essays, by the way, are classic and brilliant." Read more

" Good collection . Lots to digest so take your time!" Read more

Customers find the introduction insightful, informative, and helpful. They say the author gives an excellent overview of the personal essay as a genre. Readers also mention the book is very useful for teaching and great to introduce a beginner class to the idea of an essay.

"...writing teacher, recommended this book to me as the most essential volume on the personal essay . I could not agree more...." Read more

"The introduction itself is invaluable. The author gives an excellent overview of the personal essay as a genre -- how the essay is put together, why..." Read more

"...of how culture has progressed over the centuries, and shows the evolution our perceptions ...." Read more

"...The introductions are insightful , essays pleasant/diverse, the time frame sampled is enormous, and most of all are a joy to read...." Read more

Customers find the stories in the book interesting, charming, and entertaining. They appreciate that the stories are organized in the beginning by author, theme, or subject.

"...essay is put together, why it works, what makes it so charming and interesting ...." Read more

"... Stories are also organized in beginning by author, theme or subject." Read more

"...Lots of big names in here. Excellent writing, wonderful stories ." Read more

"...I love the essays they are very entertaining !" Read more

Customers find the time frame of the book enormous.

"...introductions are insightful, essays pleasant/diverse, the time frame sampled is enormous , and most of all are a joy to read...." Read more

"Great, timely ," Read more

"High quality book, super fast delivery ...." Read more

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