Journey into the Transcendentalists' New England by R. Todd Felton

From Barnes & Noble

Ralph Waldo Emerson once tried to convince his listeners that the idea was nothing new. "What is popularly called Transcendentalism among us," he told his audience, "is Idealism; Idealism as it appears in 1842." But in 2006, we know better: the New England Transcendentalists helped shape American literature, culture, and political attitudes. This welcome addition to Roaring Forties' ArtPlace series situates the movement in the places where it flourished; the cities, villages, and farms of New England. Part history; part travel guide; part literary criticism; part biography; yet one complete pleasure.

From the Publisher

The New England towns and villages that inspired the major figures of the Transcendentalism movement are presented by region in this travel guide that devotes a chapter to each town or village famous for its relationship to one or more of the Transcendentalists. Cambridge, where Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered his powerful speeches is highlighted, as is Walden, where Henry David Thoreau spent two years attuning himself to the rhythms of nature. Other chapters retrace the paths of major writers and poets of the period as well as the utopian communities of the time. This invaluable traveling companion offers street maps, historical illustrations, and narratives that create a vivid sense of New England in the 19th century.

Emily Dickinson International Society Bulletin

This well-designed, beautiful volume . . . [invites] both tourists and armchair travelers.

Offbeat Travel

Not only . . . fascinating reading but will . . . have you planning your next trip to New England.

Library Journal

The third title in the "ArtPlace" series (after A Journey into Dorothy Parker's New York and A Journey into Steinbeck's California) continues the publisher's mission to incorporate biography, art, and history into travel guides. This well-researched volume opens with an overview of Transcendentalism and introduces the major figures of the movement and their writings. As Transcendentalism was inextricably tied to its place of origin-New England-the major centers of the movement are also discussed. The remainder of the book consists of chapters devoted to cities such as Boston, Cambridge, and Concord; each chapter contains a wealth of historical information accompanied by archival photographs. Sidebars help the reader further understand the significance of the movement, and maps sprinkled throughout identify the present-day locations of historical sites referenced in the text. The unique subject matter-New England plus Transcendentalism and its followers-will appeal to a wide audience. Some travelers might carry this volume along while sightseeing; others may wish to use it for travel research. Armchair travelers and even those without much wanderlust will want to read this for pure pleasure. Highly recommended.-Rita Simmons, Sterling Heights P.L., MI Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

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