Short Nonfiction Collection, Vol. 050

Seventeen short nonfiction works in the public domain, independently chosen by the readers. Topics include science and natural history–the donkey, forestry, grape vines, astronomy, historian Agnes Mary Clerke, and Greek botanist Theophrastus ; philosophy– Nicholas of Cusa and Emmanuel Kant; Sommerset Maugham’s reminiscences of Spain; Joseph Conrad’s sea stories; an encounter with a long-ago companion who has contracted leprosy (Joe of Lahaina); working in the dead-letter office; a dinner the painter Benjamin Hayden hosted for Wordsworth, Keats, and Charles Lamb; a portrait of Margaret Fuller by R.W. Emerson; a 19th century account of English character written for the Chinese; and celebrations of American ideals of freedom and self government–Makers of the Flag, An Oration on Thomas Paine, and Thomas Jefferson’s 4th of July letter. – summary by Sue Anderson