Selected Writings by Thomas Carlyle

Selected Writings Reviews

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  noblethumos

  “Selected Writings" by Thomas Carlyle offers a comprehensive collection of the works of one of the most influential writers and thinkers of the 19th century. Carlyle's works span various genres and topics, including history, literature, philosophy, and social criticism. This review aims to provide an academic evaluation of Carlyle's selected writings, discussing the book's strengths, weaknesses, and its significance within the fields of literature, history, and intellectual thought.
  
  
  "Selected Writings" by Thomas Carlyle brings together a diverse range of works that highlight Carlyle's profound insights into the social, political, and cultural issues of his time. The collection includes notable pieces such as "Sartor Resartus," "On Heroes and Hero-Worship," and "The French Revolution." Carlyle's writing style is characterized by its vivid imagery, rhetorical flourishes, and a unique blend of historical analysis and moral philosophy.
  
  Carlyle's works stand out for their thought-provoking content and their significant impact on intellectual and literary circles of the 19th century. His exploration of themes such as the nature of heroism, the challenges of industrialization, and the role of history in shaping human destiny offers valuable insights into the social and intellectual climate of the time. Carlyle's prose captivates readers, challenging their preconceptions and prompting critical reflections on the complexities of human existence.
  
  
  One of the notable strengths of "Selected Writings" lies in Carlyle's distinctive writing style. His eloquent and poetic prose captivates readers, imbuing his works with a sense of grandeur and urgency. Carlyle's use of vivid imagery and rhetorical devices creates a compelling reading experience, drawing readers into his philosophical and historical explorations.
  
  Furthermore, Carlyle's ability to weave together historical analysis, moral philosophy, and social criticism is particularly noteworthy. His works provide a multifaceted perspective on the challenges and possibilities of the 19th century, offering nuanced insights into the interconnectedness of ideas, events, and individuals. Carlyle's examination of the French Revolution, for example, sheds light on the complexities of political upheaval and the consequences of societal transformation.
  
  
  While "Selected Writings" offers a rich collection of Carlyle's works, it is not without its limitations. Some critics argue that Carlyle's writing can be overly verbose and complex, making it challenging for some readers to fully grasp his ideas. A more concise and accessible presentation of his arguments would enhance the book's readability and broaden its appeal to a wider audience.
  
  Additionally, Carlyle's works have faced criticism for their occasional elitism and for espousing views that can be perceived as exclusionary or dismissive of certain groups. A more nuanced engagement with social issues and a greater sensitivity to diverse perspectives would strengthen the book's overall argument and relevance in the context of contemporary readership.
  
  
  "Selected Writings" holds significant importance within the fields of literature, history, and intellectual thought as a seminal collection of Thomas Carlyle's works. Carlyle's writings played a crucial role in shaping 19th-century intellectual discourse, influencing thinkers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Friedrich Nietzsche. The book's enduring significance lies in its ability to provoke critical reflections on the social, cultural, and political complexities of the 19th century and its relevance for contemporary readers interested in the intersection of literature, history, and philosophy.
  
  GPT
• 
  kripsoo

  is the greatest neglected book in cultural history, endlessly complex, subtle, always self-critical, ironic, mysterious, beautiful and powerful Not a book to read through from beginning to end but one to dip into, explore, examine from different angles. As in the book itself the so called Editor attempts to piece together the shards of the philosopher-hero Teufelsdrockh identity so the reader needs to plunge into striking into its magical maze of ideas
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  Paul Moss

  Initially difficult to get into the period style of prose but a rewarding insight into Carlyle’s
  View of humanity and to role of society in human progress. Contemporary comment on the changes in English society and the role of the working classes an interesting of conflicted study.
  Certainly worth the effort.
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  Jeff

  in what I think is an unusual development for a selected writings or anthology, the editor doesn't seem particular fond of the author. Carlyle is a bit back on the radar, at least in the podcast and fringe intellectual space, so I wanted to read up, it's fine.... can't say I'd recommend to someone with no baseline interest.
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  Dylan Rock

  A fine collection of the great Victorian iconoclast who is seldom discussed today.
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  Adrian Hunt

  Hard work. Dense and allusive style became wearying. His opinions often overwhelmed the subject of his writing and robbed it of worth. As for his authoritarian outlook...
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  Fred R

  "For the Past is all holy to us; the Dead are all holy, even they that were base and wicked while alive. Their baseness and wickedness was not They, was but the heavy and unmanageable Environment that lay round them, with which they fought unprevailing: they (the ethereal god-given Force that dwelt in them, and was their Self) have now shuffled off that heavy Environment, and are free and pure: their life-long Battle, go how it might, is all ended, with many wounds or with fewer; they have been recalled from it, and the once harsh-jarring battlefield has become a silent awe-inspiring Golgotha, and Gottesacker (Field of God)!"