The Oxford Book of American Essays serves as a masterful curation of American thought and narrative style, chronicling the nations burgeoning literary identity from its infancy through to the dawn of the 20th century. This collection showcases the rich diversity and dynamic evolution of the American essay, featuring works that span from the foundational philosophies of Emerson and Thoreau to the intricate narratives of Hawthorne and Poe. The anthology shines a light on the varied tapestry of American thought, highlighting seminal pieces that have contributed significantly to the literary and cultural landscape of the United States. The contributing authors and editors, themselves pioneers of the American literary scene, bring forth a compendium that is as varied in its contributors as it is unified in its theme. These figures, from Whitman with his expansive poetic vision to Franklins keen observational wit, collectively embody the multifaceted nature of American discourse. Their backgrounds, ranging from the self-made intellectual to the seasoned statesman, provide a panoramic view of Americas intellectual heritage, reflecting key movements such as Transcendentalism, Romanticism, and Realism. This anthology invites readers on a journey through the depths of the American psyche, offering a unique opportunity to engage with the seminal works that have shaped the nations literary and cultural trajectory. For scholars, students, and enthusiasts of American literature, The Oxford Book of American Essays is an indispensable resource that fosters an appreciation for the richness and diversity of American thought. It stands not only as a testament to the individual genius of its contributors but also as a vibrant dialogue across generations, serving as a beacon for those who wish to delve deeper into the essence of American literary tradition.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

An intriguing collection of more than 70 Latin American essays, some never before translated into English, gives us the whole spectrum of concerns that have animated some of the greatest writers of our time--from Andres Bello, Pablo Neruda, and Alfonso Reyes to Carlos Fuentes, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Rosario Ferre--an assembly confident, ingenious, aware.

This essay appeared originally in the Atlantic Monthly for May, 1883. During the thirty years which have elapsed since it was written the manifestations of the colonial spirit then apparent in the United States have not only altered in character but, I am glad to say, have weakened, diminished, and become less noticeable. Since 1883, also, there has been much achieved by Americans in Art and Literature, in painting, in sculpture, in music, and particularly in architecture. Success in all these fields has, with few exceptions, been won by men working in the spirit which is not colonial, but which it was the purpose of this essay to inculcate as the true one to which alone we could look for fine and enduring achievement. I have called attention to the date at which the essay was written in order that those who read it may remember that it applies in certain points to the conditions of thirty years ago and not to those of the present day.