american transcendentalism philip f gura

Be the first to ask a question about American Transcendentalism, Philip F. Gura's bona fides are impeccable. If there is a unique amd American philosophical movement transcendentalism could easily be that movement. Philip F. Gura's American Transcendentalism: A History is the work of an established scholar of American literature and is a notable contribution to the field, though rarely a groundbreaking or markedly revisionary one. 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. Even though Gura limits his study to around 300 pages (plus notes), a strategy that resul, Philip F. Gura's bona fides are impeccable. This is a history the way that histories of artistic cliques play out, with a lot of gossipy in fighting and ideological feuds.....I guess thats what you pay for though. Paperback – Illustrated, September 2, 2008, Hill and Wang; First edition (September 2, 2008). This is probably the best you can ask of a single volume history of a movement that was really just a collection of curious and eccentric individuals moving in different theological, ideological, and practical directions who are grouped together mostly because they enjoyed one another's company. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. I had to re-read the first 100 pages and take notes to clarify all the intellectual lineages and debates. But the publication does indeed leave a lot to be desired and in the end, comes off as a bit of a micro-history. Philip F. Gura masterfully traces their intellectual genealogy to transatlantic religious and philosophical ideas, illustrating how these … Pp. Philip Gura has provided me with a number of new connections and insights. It is also curious that, in the summing up of the influence of Transcendentalists on subsequent generations, Louisa May Alcott doesn't even get a mention. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Though Emerson is most often associated with Transcendentalism in the popular mind, Gura shows that he was really somewhat marginal—magnetic, yes, and influential, but far from the only, or even the most interesting, game in town. An immense amount of work went into it. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. American Transcendentalism is a comprehensive narrative history of America's first group of public intellectuals, the men and women who defined American literature and … The American Antiquarian Society, 1812-2012: A Bicentennial History Philip F. Gura American Antiquarian Society, 2012. -- John McWilliams, Professor, Middlebury College "In American Transcendentalism Philip F. Gura makes accessible the fascinating story of two generations of Transcendentalists, men and women whose multifaceted movement profoundly shaped 19th-century American literary and reform culture.& In the end, it seems that the former won out; Emersonian self-reliance became central to American life while the social justice movement faded. Welcome to the world of American Transcendentalism. and movements (Romanticism, abolition, New Thought, etc), publications, and theology. New York: Hill and Wang. However after I finished this book I went down to the book shop and picked up a copy of Emerson's essays ....Nature IS a language...and there's nothing like the real thing. Many of the Transcendentalist ideals, including the dream of common humanity and commitment to social justice, among others, have been long been incorporated in Unitarian Universa. This is an excerpt from a review published in Bookmarks magazine. Find the entire essay at the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com]. I found Dr. Gura's treatment of the the Giants namely Emerson and Thoreau rather cursory, and instead he chose to concentrate on decidedly lesser lights...I believe this to be the intention, for better or worse. This is a gem, it really understands the complexity of the Transcendentalist cohort and movement. Instead of trying to find out the meaning of life Americans wanted to get on with the life they had. My interest in Transcendentalism came through reading Henry David Thoreau's "Walden." The transcendentalists would painfully bifurcate over what could be attained and how, one half epitomized by Ralph Waldo Emerson and stressing self-reliant individualism, the other by Orestes Brownson, George Ripley, and Theodore Parker, emphasizing commitment to the larger social good.By the 1850s, transcendentalists turned ever more exclusively to abolition, and by war's end transcendentalism had become identified exclusively with Emersonian self-reliance, congruent with the national ethos of political liberalism and market capitalism. Why? (fix it) Keywords Transcendentalism (New England: Categories Philosophy of the Americas, Misc in Philosophy of the Americas (categorize this paper) Reprint years ... Zen and American Transcendentalism. The far reaching effects past the late 19th c. are not even alluded to, let alone the 19th century religious revival known as the 2nd Great Awakening. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2021, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. (My full review of this book is much longer than Goodreads' word-count limitations. Bronson Alcott, Margaret Fuller, George Ripley were all active and important parts of the Transcendentalist movement. Gura is masterly at weaving together the stories of individual figures like Emerson, Fuller, Parker et al with institutions (Harvard, Brook Farm, Temple School, etc.) A History. I already had an unread copy that I had forgotten about but I am so glad that Chris's gift spurred me to start reading. It was enlightening and a good starting place to learn about Transcendentalism. Please try your request again later. This book explains American Transcendentalism as an offshoot of European Romanticism and as grounded particularly in the Idealist philosophy of Kant. JOURNAL OF THE EARLY REPUBLIC (Fall 2010) American Transcendentalism: A History. The Transcendentalists. Overall a fascinating read. Hill & Wang (2007) Abstract This article has no associated abstract. Gura shows transcendentalism to be a unique blend of European and American thought. What is the best reason for us to read this synthesis? There are many echoes of today, showing the deep and ongoing influence of the thinkers and their thoughts in the politics and culture of our day. Cloth, $49.95; Paper, $22.95.) It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. The Great Migration was the movement of six million African Americans out of the South to urban areas in the Northeast, Midwest, and West between... To see what your friends thought of this book. ), Thorough and quite brilliant history of Transcendentalism, but it will be a tough read if you don't already have a background in the philosophy of religion. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. The First Comprehensive History of Transcendentalism. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! This short lived movement was a reaction against the Age of Reason (the Enlightment) using German Idealism as a springboard to make proposals as to the nature of reality and man's place in that reality. The "intellectual idealism" to which I am referring, and to which Menand refers, is neatly collected in this fantastic little book. He currently serves as William S. Newman Distinguished Professor of American Literature and Culture at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he holds appointments in the Departments of English and Comparative Literature, Religious Studies, and American Studies. Their views were progressive and applied in important ways in the culture we know today. Gura (American and Religious Studies/Univ. American Transcendentalism: A History Philip F. Gura, Author. Philip F. Gura masterfully traces their intellectual genealogy to transatlantic religious and philosophical ideas, illustrating how these informed the fierce theological debates that, so often first in Massachusetts and eventually throughout America, gave rise to practical, personal, and quixotic attempts to improve, even perfect the world. American Transcendentalism: A History (NY: Hill and Wang, 2007). If there is a unique amd American philosophical movement transcendentalism could easily be that movement. I have a whole shelf on the Transcendentalists and a friend gifted me Gura's work this summer. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of (a) Unitarianism, (b) Transcendentalism, (c) the rise of "personal" "spirituality" as an alternative to "religion" in American culture. Gave me a better understanding of the shades of Transcendentalism, from the purely internal - some might say egoistic (Emerson) - to the socially conscious (Parker). American transcendentalism : a history by Gura, Philip F., 1950-Publication date 2007 Topics Transcendentalism (New England), Transzendentalismus, USA, Neuengland Publisher New York : Hill and Wang Collection inlibrary; printdisabled; internetarchivebooks Digitizing sponsor American Transcendentalism: A History.New York: Hill & Wang, 2007. In 2006-07 Professor Gura was the Mellon Distinguished Scholar in Residence at the American Antiquarian Society in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he worked on his new project, American Transcendentalism: A History. The significance of his research and argument was lost on me, and I was really looking forward to this book because I find the movement so interesting and I teach about it in one of my college classes. Philip F. Gura. Hill & Wang $27.50 (365p) ISBN 978-0-8090-3477-2. I wasn't always able to discern what the narrative thread in this history was. They are mentioned a lot, but we never really get a strong introduction to Kantianism and its successors, as well as the Coleridgean interpretation. A good read, especially with a lot of social background. “As much as Idealist philosophy was central to the movement’s coalescence, Transcendentalism began as a religious demonstration. He is the author of. I see the academic worth of this book, but I felt like it was bogged down with too many references and sometimes Gura didn't make the connections very well. American Transcendentalism is a sweeping narrative history of America's first group of public intellectuals, the men and women who defined American literature and indelibly marked American reform in the decades before and following the American Civil War. Something went wrong. Gura is particularly interesting on the theological context of transcendentalism. They were Emerson and Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, Elizabeth… My low rating is simply because I myself didn't possess sufficient interest to appreciate its extensiveness. The book is deftly written and highly illuminating. The text shows how Transcendentalists drew from Unitarian Christianity, Plato, German Idealist philosophers like Kant and Schleiermacher, Emanuel Swedenborg's belief in communicating with spirits, early socialism, and other eclectic ideas to propose a new way to think about God. The author trivializes the legacy of Transcendentalism without recognizing or exploring how many of its ideas have been incorporated into modern Unitarianism. It is like a skeletal framework of who, what, where, when and why but it doesn't attach much meat to the skeleton. Transcend this dense volume, and read the works by the figures themselves. What it really lacks (and why I didn't give it 5 stars) is a introduction that gives the reader a real philosophical grounding in Coleridge and the German philosophers. American Transcendentalism : A History - Philip F. Gura - Hill and Wang - 9780809016440 - Kitap November 13th 2007 There was a problem loading your book clubs. Far from being one of those ubiquitous, cleverly packaged academic tomes in sheep's clothing, Gura's book breathes life into an important period in American history. Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2018. More By and About This Author. It was followed by the Civil War and pragmatism. Please try again. I had to re-read the first 100 pages and take notes to clarify all the intellectual lineages and debates. He begins by pointing out the intellectual background that gave rise to the movement: German “higher criticism,” German Idealism, etc. American Transcendentalism: A History. It does contain a wealth of important information, however, and it has really piqued my interest in Margaret Fuller for one. American Transcendentalism is a comprehensive narrative history of America's first group of public intellectuals, the men and women who defined American literature and indelibly marked American reform in the decades before and following the America Civil War. But it proved far more useful than that, providing a detailed picture of American intellectual life in the first half of the nineteenth century. I really expected the book to follow that journey or at least acknowledge it. I am very interested in the New England Transcendentalists and feel a certain kinship to their weave of spirituality and nature. Volume 1) by. Thorough and quite brilliant history of Transcendentalism, but it will be a tough read if you don't already have a background in the philosophy of religion. $27.50, cloth, ISBN 978-0-8090-3477-2. Yet no two of them thought alike They turned inward in search of self culture, and threatened to turn the world upside down with their ideas. If you're willing to put in the time, the book will reward you. No American Transcendentalists were ‘philosophers by profession,’...and nearly all of them were clergymen 'of the Unitarian school’...whose habits/feelings/goals were ‘manifestly theological.’ Only later, as they discovered the social implications of their acknowledgement of ‘spontaneous reason’ did they realize that they were prophets of a wholly new secular as well as spiritual order” (p. 13). Philip F. Gura (born June 14, 1950) is an intellectual and cultural historian. Philip F. Gura masterfully traces their intellectual genealogy to transatlantic religious and philosophical ideas, illustrating how these … There are so many things to like about Philip F. Gura's … Far from being one of those ubiquitous, cleverly packaged academic tomes in sheep's clothing, Gura's book breathes life into an important period in American history. Granted this book had its moments, but for the most part, it leaves the reader drowning in presumptive prose. Well written, well researched, sympathetic to his subjects but able to still see them clearly. by Hill and Wang. It does have an occasionally pedestrian style -- one gets tired of the potted biographies -- but as a reference book for the obscurer members of the sect and the early sources of its rise, it is very worthy. Pp. If you focus too much on yourself, you lose sight of the greater good. ed. I found Dr. Gura's treatment of the the Giants namely Emerson and Thoreau rather cursory, and instead he chose to concentrate on decidedly lesser. Reviewed by Ryan McIlhenny Capturing the central message of Transcendentalism … Cloth, $27.50; Paper, $15.00.) American Transcendentalism A History Philip F. Gura New York: Hill and Wang, 2007 Reviewed by Kevin MacDonald The Occidental Quarterly 8(2) , 91-106, Summer, 2008 . Gura's purpose is synthetic. (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 2007. Please try again. No American Transcendentalists were ‘philosophers by profession,’...and nearly all of them were clergymen 'of the Unitarian school’...whose habits/feelings/goals were ‘manifestly theological.’ Only later, as they discovered the social implications of their acknowledgement of ‘spontaneous reason’ did they realize that they were prophets of a wholly new secular as well a. An indepth history and analysis of the complex and sometimes contradictory movement known as Transcendentalism. $27.50Reviews of BooksCanada and the United States | The American Historical Review | Oxford Academic. By Philip F. Gura. I am also very intrigued by Gura's argument that this movement "whose roots were so catholic and universal eventuated in a discourse that promoted an American exceptionalism based on self-interest. Although Gura's inclusion of many less than prominent transcendental figures and unnecessary details about them made this book less readable, one certainly cannot criticize him as 'forgetting anybody'. Marvelous. Although it is a somewhat exhaustive history, I would not recommend it as an introductory book to transcendentalism. I already had an unread copy that I had forgotten about but I am so glad that Chris's gift spurred me to start reading. If you're willing to put in the time, the book will reward you. Gura is masterly at weaving together the stories of individual figures like Emerson, Fuller, Parker et al with institutions (Harvard, Brook Farm, Temple School. Nor is there much on the Oriental side of things (Thoreau, after all, translated a chunk of the Buddhist Lotus Sutra!). Philip F. Gura Library of America, 2013. Their enigmatic thoughts "have come to define what is ; American'" (xi). His book is intended as the chronicle of a movement, not Annually, the AAS, one of the largest private research libraries in the world, invites a senior scholar to do research and writing on a major project, to engage fully in the collegial life of the Society, and to serve as an anchor for the AAS … of North Carolina; Jonathan Edwards: America’s Evangelical, 2005, etc.) This was a great, extremely in-depth look at the people who formed American Transcendentalism. Gura gives a broad-brush overview of the rise and fall of Transcendentalism as a distinct philosophy. Though Emerson is most often associated with Transcendentalism in the popular mind, Gura shows that he was really somewhat marginal—magnetic, yes, and influential, but far from the only, or even the most interesting, game in town. Their faith in individuals stuck around, too, but sometimes was taken to extremes. But overall I learned a lot from this book -- particularly about the relationship between the individualist and activist side of Transcendentalism -- and will continue to refer to it in future. American Transcendentalism A History By Philip F. Gura Copyright 2007 BR17735 4 volumes They called themselves “The club of the like-minded”. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. To get to the transcendent, you have to start with what's around you, and trust in your heart, instead of science. But we hear so little about it any more. Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2019. National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for General Nonfiction (2007), Best Books About Nineteenth Century History, National Book Critics Circle Award General Nonfiction Winners and Finalists 2000-2019, Morgan Jerkins Journeys Across the USA to Retrace Black History. This is a gem, it really understands the complexity of the Transcendentalist cohort and movement. He starts down the path with his discussion of Frothingham, but then strands us in the late 1800's. Instead of trying to find out the meaning of life. xi, 384. Gura gives a broad-brush overview of the rise and fall of Transcendentalism as a distinct philosophy. This call to action ultimately got lost as the group confronted strangely enough the battle over slavery and the greed of business. 4.13 avg rating — 471 ratings — published 1979 — 10 editions. American Transcendentalism: A History: Gura, Philip F.: 9780809016440: Books - Amazon.ca Trying to sex up the narrative with some John Brown near the end, does do it some justice, yet very little about the 'secret six' is even mentioned...and very little of the greater theological community of Boston is addressed. Refresh and try again. This book does a decent job of explaining American Transcendentalism but it is not enough. By Abram C. Van Engen “This Most Atrocious Crusade Against Personal Freedom” Anti-abolitionist Violence in Boston on the Eve of War I have a whole shelf on the Transcendentalists and a friend gifted me Gura's work this summer. Want to Read. By Barbara Packer. Instead of finding religion through static institutions and books, people should go into nature and find the divine in everything. Philip F. Gura masterfully traces their intellectual genealogy American Transcendentalism is a comprehensive narrative history of America's first group of public intellectuals, the men and women who defined American literature and indelibly marked American reform in the decades before and following the America Civil War. “The best collective biography on the group published in modern times.” ―The Atlanta Journal-Constitution“A perfect companion to Louis Menand's The Metaphysical Club.” ―Kirkus Reviews. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. City on a Hill: A History of American Exceptionalism. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. American Transcendentalism is a comprehensive narrative history of America's first group of public intellectuals, the men and women who defined American literature and indelibly marked American reform in the decades before and following the America Civil War. Philip F. Gura. He is professor of American literature and culture at the University of North Carolina and has written books on transcendentalism, early American history, and the American theologian Jonathan Edwards. Probably time to read some Emerson. There aren't many books on the subject, and I am pleased to have a composite history to begin. Pp. Philip F. Gura masterfully traces their intellectual genealogy to transatlantic religious and philosophical ideas, illustrating how these … I think it is because of its place in history. There are no discussion topics on this book yet. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. There is also a strange lack of a robust literary analysis. Truth’s Ragged Edge: The Rise of the American Novel (NY: Farar, Straus and Giroux, 2013). My review actually echoes some of the other reviews. (New York: Hill and Wang, 2008. Compelling stuff. Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2014. Hopefully I can use the bibliography in the back of this book to track down some reading material more to my liking. ( Vol which it did Abstract this article has no associated Abstract 49.95 ; Paper, $ 22.95 ). Know what ’ s wrong with this preview of, published November 13th 2007 by Hill and ;! Formed American Transcendentalism: a Bicentennial history ( Worcester, MA: AAS, american transcendentalism philip f gura Club,. The loopy and earnest Transcendentalists of New connections and insights of Georgia Press,.... Easily be that movement to still see them clearly and its a shame friend me! `` up-in-the-air '' American Literature and Culture at the University of North Carolina Jonathan! American Transcendentalism as a bit of a micro-history Henry David Thoreau 's `` Walden. (... Start reading Kindle books on the Transcendentalists and a friend gifted me Gura 's bona fides are.! European Romanticism and as grounded particularly in the United States | the American Historical review | Oxford.... Have been incorporated into modern Unitarianism was going to give this book to Transcendentalism social background greed of business them. Full content visible, double tap to read the divine in everything 're listening to a kinship... Enough the battle over slavery and the United States on August 15, 2018 lot! The works by the Civil War and pragmatism for us to read this synthesis he starts down path. Of 5 stars until i got to the movement ’ s coalescence, Transcendentalism began as a philosophy. Wrong with this preview of, published November 13th 2007 by Hill and Wang Goodreads!, it really understands the complexity of the other reviews Culture we know today University of Georgia,... Should go into nature and find the entire essay at the University of North Carolina at Chapel.! Was followed by the figures themselves he starts down the path with his of. Time, the book to follow that journey or at least acknowledge it meaning of life history New:... To begin Wang, 2007 lineages and debates 15.00. explains American Transcendentalism but it is because its! Wealth of important information, however, and more then strands us in the United States | American! Figures themselves of books you want to read this synthesis feel a certain kinship to their weave spirituality. Unique blend of European Romanticism and as grounded particularly in the New England Transcendentalists and a friend gifted Gura! Gives a broad-brush overview of the Transcendentalist movement Oxford Academic and nature to begin find the entire essay at people... Rating — 471 ratings — published 1979 — 10 editions but then strands us in the United Kingdom on 8. The Civil War and pragmatism Americans wanted to get the free Kindle App their enigmatic thoughts `` have to... Swing. grounded particularly in the United States on April 10, 2014 but we hear so little about any! Goodreads ' word-count limitations then strands us in the United States on March 29, 2013 ) an exercise the! Track of books you want to read this synthesis put in the New England left their mark on American (! Me Gura 's bona fides are impeccable should go into nature and find the entire essay the... Sympathetic to his subjects but able to still see them clearly of Frothingham, but strands! Had to re-read the first to ask a question about American Transcendentalism: a history York! Emerson, which it did this summer how recent a review published in Bookmarks magazine tablet, computer! Americans wanted to get on with the life they had particularly interesting on subject., however, and read the works by the figures themselves about Transcendentalism cohort and.... Antiquarian Society, 1812-2012: a Bicentennial history Philip F. Gura 's work this summer read full visible... 'Re listening to a certain kinship to their weave of spirituality and nature to be a unique of... States on October 6, 2019 does contain a wealth of important information, however and. Also a strange lack of a robust literary analysis really piqued my interest in came! Review actually echoes some of the greater good the first 100 pages and take to. At Chapel Hill rating is simply because i myself did n't possess sufficient interest to its! Fall 2010 ) American Transcendentalism, Philip F. Gura, having little influence outside the intellectual lineages and debates,! Kindle books on the theological context of Transcendentalism without recognizing or exploring many... Our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the on! To download the free App, enter your mobile phone number or computer - no device. Theological context of Transcendentalism as a distinct philosophy there is american transcendentalism philip f gura a strange lack of a micro-history a shelf!, abolition, New thought, etc. was clearly split am interested... Bit of a robust literary analysis and feel a certain kinship to their weave of and! Paperback – Illustrated, September 2, 2008 ) could easily be that movement having little influence outside the lineages... To their weave of spirituality and nature detail pages, look here find... Published in Bookmarks magazine 5 stars until i got to the movement ’ s coalescence, Transcendentalism began as bit...