| Author |
Holmes, Oliver Wendell, 1809-1894 |
| Title |
Pages from an Old Volume of Life; A Collection of Essays, 1857-1881
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 59.4 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.
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| Contents |
Bread and the newspaper -- My hunt after "the captain" -- The inevitable trial -- Cinders from the ashes -- The pulpit and the pew.
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| Credits |
Produced by David Widger
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| Summary |
"Pages from an Old Volume of Life; A Collection of Essays, 1857-1881" by Oliver Wendell Holmes is a collection of essays written during the mid-19th century. This work captures the author's reflections on contemporary life, war, and societal conditions, particularly as they relate to the American Civil War. Holmes explores both personal anecdotes and broader observations regarding human behavior in times of conflict, shedding light on the psychological impact of war on both soldiers and civilians. The opening of the collection begins with the essay "Bread and the Newspaper," in which Holmes draws a parallel between the ancient Roman practice of providing food and entertainment to the populace and the contemporary need for sustenance—including bread and news. He discusses how the Civil War intensifies the public's desire for information and how it disrupts the usual rhythms of life and thought. Holmes illustrates a society grappling with emotional turmoil amidst a backdrop of conflict, revealing the profound impression that war has on the human psyche. The beginning of the book sets the tone for a thoughtful exploration of the effects of war, shaping a narrative that intertwines the personal with the philosophical in an engaging and relatable manner. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
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| Subject |
Essays
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
2699 |
| Release Date |
Sep 28, 2004 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Jan 27, 2021 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
84 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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