Familiar Quotations

Description

John Bartlett s timeless collection of quotations from many of the finest luminaries of English prose and poetry are presented here.

The book begins with a presentation of the King James Bible, beginning with the Old Testament. Many of the most inspiring and memorable verses from across the Biblical canon are present. This is followed by the New Testament, with a number of the most evocative and spiritually rich gospel quotations listed.

After the Bible comes Shakespeare s plays - listing each play in turn, Bartlett presents the finest lines from each. The great wisdom and expression for which William Shakespeare is renowned finds ample demonstration, with tragedies such as Macbeth and comedies such as Twelfth Night among the plays Bartlett draws upon.

Following the Shakespearian dramas, we delve into what constitutes the bulk of the book; quotations by individual poets, authors, dramatists, philosophers and other prominent personages in English literature and intellectual life. William Wordsworth, Lord Byron, John Keats, John Milton and Alfred Tennyson are but a few of the individuals present in this superb anthology of poignant wit and profundity.

This edition includes the full index of quoted people, Bartlett s own preface and short Addenda, plus a complete set of notes explaining the origins of certain quotations. In all Familiar Quotations is a superb anthology which introduces the reader to the wellspring of wit and wisdom possessed by Britain s finest authors.