This volume, edited by Carl Bode in collaboration with Malcolm Cowley, presents the essential Emerson, selected from works that eloquently express the philosophy of a worldly idealist. The Portable Emerson comprises essays, including "History," "Self-Reliance," "The Over-Soul," "Circles," and "The Poet"; Emerson's first book, Nature, in its entirety; twenty-two poems, including "Uriel," "The Humble-Bee," and "Give All to Love"; orations, including "The American Scholar," "The Fugitive Slave Law," and "John Brown"; English Traits, complete; and biographical essays on Plato, Napoleon, Henry David Thoreau, Thomas Carlyle, and others.

Introduction by Carl BodeA Note on the Selections by Malcolm CowleyEmerson's AnnalsThe TranscendentalistEditor's NoteNatureThe American ScholarDivinity School AddressThe TranscendentalistEssays: First and Second SeriesEditor's NoteHistorySelf-RelianceCompensationSpiritual LawsThe Over-SoulCirclesThe PoetExperienceLater EssaysEditor's NotePlato; or, the PhilosopherNapoleon; or, the Man of the WorldFateIllusionsSociety and SolitudeA Yankee Abroad: English TraitsEditor's NoteLandRaceAbilityMannersTruthCharacterCockayneWealthAristocracyUniversitiesReligionResultThe Yankee SageEditor's NoteLetter to President Van BurenEzra Ripley, D.D.The Fugitive Slave LawFarmingJohn Brown: Speech at SalemThoreauHistoric Notes of Life and Letters in New EnglandCarlyleThe BardEditor's NoteEach and AllThe ProblemUrielMithridatesHamatreyaThe RhodoraThe Humble-BeeThe Snow-StormWoodnotes: IFableOdeCompensationGive All to LoveMerlin (I, II)BacchusThrenodyConcord HymnBrahmaDaysTwo RiversMusicTerminusFurther Reading