Emerson's Essays By Ralph Waldo Emerson. Contents Include: History Self-Reliance Compensation Spiritual Laws Loves Friendship Prudence Heroism The over-soul Circles Intellect Art. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Obscure Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.