The Best American Essays

Essays are perhaps the greatest literary form in history; the good ones are always a pleasure to read, the best ones touch us, arouses something deep inside in our heart and mind, and all of them are short, usually under thirty minutes to read. So, when there is an annual anthology of the best American essays, how can one resist? The entries span a wide range, from Marcus Aurelius to homosexuality to gardening. And although there is no unifying theme, all of the authors showcase the power of pure, unrestrained writing, the brilliance often missing from today's commercial periodicals