I've been perusing bits and pieces of One Man's Meat for numerous years. It was bestowed upon me as a gift by a dear friend during my college days, someone who knew my affection for Maine. Besides the cherished children's novels Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little, I had never delved into any of E.B. White's other works. I initially picked it up to read through it 4 or 5 years ago, but for a couple of reasons, I kept setting it aside. First, each 'chapter/month' has little connection to the previous one. Second, a few years back, I simply didn't possess the attention span, mindset, or time for this kind of reading. However, being in Maine now, and especially this summer, being out in the countryside, has brought me back to it and given me a newfound appreciation that I didn't have before.

One Man's Meat is a compilation of monthly musings, stories, and anecdotes regarding White's life, politics, and culture after he departed from NYC for Coastal Maine in 1938 through the early stages of WWII in 1942. I was equally captivated by White's depictions of everyday pastoral life in Maine as a writer-farmer, as well as his perspectives on American culture and politics on a local and natural scale. There are countless descriptive sentences, small stories, or thoughts that seized my attention and delighted me. This wouldn't be a book for everyone, but for those desiring a snapshot of a different era, place, and culture, you couldn't do better than One Man's Meat.

Not every essay was my favorite. However, every few, my throat would tighten.

These essays, when taken together, vividly showcase a man's distinct talent, his sharp sense of humor, profound insight, and deep concern.

The stories within them are so engaging that they make me firmly believe that if I were to embark on a drive up to Brooklin, Maine, I would undoubtedly find him there today.

He would be busy tending to his sheep, with his dachshund faithfully following at his heels.

It's as if these essays have painted a vivid picture in my mind, allowing me to envision this scene with such clarity.

They have the power to transport me to that small town in Maine and make me feel as if I am a part of that man's life.

It's truly a remarkable experience to read these essays and be touched by the author's words in such a profound way.

EB White is truly a remarkable and wonderful author.

His works have the power to transport readers back to a bygone era, filled with a sense of nostalgia for simpler times.

The beauty and brilliance of his writing are simply captivating.

Whether it's his charming stories or his eloquent essays, EB White's words have a way of touching the hearts and minds of readers.

If you find yourself in the mood for a literary journey that combines nostalgia, simplicity, and outstanding writing, I highly suggest delving into the works of EB White.

You are sure to be amazed and inspired by his talent and creativity.

So, pick up one of his books and let the magic of his words unfold before you.

This is a collection of essays that E.B. White penned from 1938 to 1943.

Some of these essays were profound, delving deep into the human condition and the world around us. Others were more mundane, focusing on the everyday琐事 of life.

However, E.B. White was such a fantastic writer that even when the topic didn't immediately interest me, I still found myself captivated by his essays.

My personal favorites were those that dealt with world events, the war, and his reflections on society.

One essay towards the end particularly stood out to me. In it, he discussed the role of luck in the successes of "self-made men".

He made some very thought-provoking points about how often we attribute success solely to hard work and determination, when in fact, luck also plays a significant role.

This collection of essays is a must-read for anyone who appreciates great writing and thoughtful insights into the human experience.

Seriously, how underlooked and underrated can this E.B. White book of personal essays be?

Published in 1941, this collection of essays was written during the historic times of WW2 in America from 1929 - 1943. After moving out to the 1938 American Farmland, White penned these profound and engaging pieces.

This book truly should be considered a National Treasure. It is a remarkable blend of poignancy and humor. The essays are not only entertaining but also prophetic, as White takes a critical look at American corporate interests. His anarchistic views stand in stark contrast to the neighborly odd goings-on in a small town on the coast of Maine.

Here, one can find a man farming for mussels on the wide shores, a scene that is both idyllic and a reminder of the simple pleasures of life. White's writing invites readers to step back and reflect on the complex web of modern society while also appreciating the beauty and charm of the ordinary.

Unfortunately, this book often goes unnoticed in the vast sea of literature. It is time for readers to discover the hidden gem that is E.B. White's collection of personal essays and give it the recognition it so richly deserves.

I’ve truly come to relish reading an essay or two each day from White. His works are truly remarkable.

In numerous aspects, he was far ahead of his era. This is especially evident in his profound thoughts regarding race. His perspectives were both unique and enlightening, offering a fresh lens through which to view this complex issue.

Additionally, I have a great affection for reading about the mischievous deeds of his dachshund, Fred. Fred is such a charming character and makes an appearance in several essays within this collection. His antics add a touch of lightheartedness and warmth to the overall reading experience.

White’s writing not only engages the mind but also touches the heart, making it a pleasure to explore his works on a daily basis.

After reading Essays of E.B. White, I was completely hooked and couldn't stop. I had an insatiable appetite for more of his work. So, I picked up One Man's Meat. The title alone sounded interesting, and it did not disappoint.

This book is a collection of a column that White wrote for Harper's in the early 1940s. Many of the articles are centered around life on his farm, and those were the ones I enjoyed the most. I was charmed by the subtle humor that shone through in these pieces. I loved the unique voice he had created, and I admired the compactness of his thought, which made his writing so crisp and engaging.

If nothing else, reading these essays has firmly implanted in my mind Rule 17 in The Elements of Style: omit needless words. It also made me extremely envious of the idyllic farm life that White had up in Maine. As the saying goes, the grass is always greener on the other side, but in this case, it sure seems incredibly pleasant and inviting.

One Man’s Meat by E. B. White

This house, held tightly by Sunday's grip, is a hundred and twenty years old. I wonder about the Sabbaths it has witnessed. Here, where I now sit, Grandfather H. used to sit. He'd be shocked to see the floor seams opened wide by the furnace's dry heat, revealing a century's worth of dust, crumbs, and more.

For the past six days, I've been engrossed in my mother's 1944 edition of E. B. White's essays. Written between 1938 and 1943, White was farming in Maine and fulfilling his war duty as a watchman. My edition lacks a dust cover but has a touching inscription from a long-gone friend to my late mother on her 24th birthday. This aged tome has been on my shelf for decades. When I finally read it, I was overcome with emotions.

White was around 44 when he wrote these essays for Harper's Magazine and The New Yorker. He calls it a "personal record" of his "trivial, peaceable pursuits" as an "over-age male" restless during the war. His voice is so vivid that it feels like we're in the 1940s, chatting about various topics. In "Once More to the Lake," he beautifully describes the sensation of time-jumping.

E. B. White is an amazing writer. His quotes are thought-provoking. He believes a writer should write what naturally interests them and in their own way. He also emphasizes the importance of freedom and criticizes those who adjust to fascism. His words about property ownership and the profit system are still relevant today.

These essays also include one about the flood of children's books his wife received. He's funny and sarcastic but also clearly studying them. It's interesting to note that this book was compiled before Stuart Little and Charlotte's Web were even ideas. Overall, One Man’s Meat is a wonderful collection of essays that offer insights into White's life and thoughts.

E.B. White's collection of essays remains remarkably relevant in the present day. It is truly a very enjoyable read that can captivate readers of all ages.

The book I have is an old edition, which makes it even more special. It features a Forward written by the author himself. In this Forward, E.B. White provides valuable insights into his work and the thoughts that went into creating these essays.

Reading through these essays, one can appreciate the timelessness of White's ideas and his ability to observe and comment on the world around him. His writing is both engaging and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for anyone interested in literature, philosophy, or simply a good story.

Overall, E.B. White's collection of essays is a literary gem that continues to shine bright even after all these years. It is a book that can be read and reread, each time offering new perspectives and a deeper understanding of the human condition.

One Man's Meat - It is piddling and pretentious, and in many ways, it is arrogant. It is absolutely annoying. EB rubs me the wrong way by attempting to be something or someone he is not. The individual is simply out of place in the country, and his words will simply not change that. There is no hiding this fact. That... is from a real "country bumpkin" who would be as much out of place in the city as EB is out of place in the country.

And so, EB's attempt at being insightful or humorous on just about all matters became like salt rubbed into an open wound throughout the book. This book was no remedy of any kind, nor was it an inspiration of any kind, nor was it fun of any kind. Instead, it was simply an irritant of all kinds. It seems that EB's efforts to present himself in a certain light fell flat and only served to aggravate the reader. The book lacked any redeeming qualities and was a disappointment from start to finish.

Perhaps EB should have stuck to what he knew and not tried to venture into territory that was clearly not his own. As it stands, One Man's Meat is a prime example of what can happen when someone tries too hard to be something they are not.

I thought this book had truly excellent stylistic writing.

The way E.B. White describes the most mundane of tasks is simply remarkable. He has this unique ability to transform ordinary activities into theatrical visions that captivate the reader's imagination.

Moreover, he then attempts to extract whatever life lesson he can from the monthly excerpts we are privy to, which offer a glimpse into his life in the Northeast.

I really like this style of writing for its richness without being overly verbose. It manages to convey profound thoughts and emotions in a concise yet engaging manner, making it a pleasure to read and leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Overall, this book is a testament to E.B. White's literary prowess and his ability to make the ordinary extraordinary through his writing.

I initially had rather low expectations for the author's perspective as presented in his essays. However, to my great amazement, I found that they were all incredibly poignant and highly relevant.

Since I listened to this work, which is a whopping 16 hours long, while walking, I was able to truly appreciate the subtleties of the author's 'voice'. The period from 1938 to 1942 was an extremely important and yet painful era in world history. I must admit that I would have liked a bit more of a 'world news' context to be incorporated.

Nevertheless, it should be noted that this writing was specifically intended for a magazine audience and was not designed to simply repeat what was already being reported in the news. I had expected the 'city author turns farmer' trope to be much more ridiculous and self-deprecating, but that was not the case at all.

Mr. White clearly dedicated an enormous amount of research and effort into his farm life. He freely admits to his honest mistakes and also truly appreciates his joyful moments. I was able to vividly 'see' the landscape, the family, and the neighborly characters that he so beautifully describes. And without a doubt, I am the better for having experienced this.

This was a surprisingly enjoyable journey, featuring very high-quality writing. It also has a clear basis for being developed into a great children's book as well.