'The Book of This and That' Summary

Robert Lynd's The Book of This and That is a collection of essays on a wide range of topics, from the everyday to the profound. Lynd writes with wit, wisdom, and humanity, offering his unique perspective on everything from the nature of happiness to the role of art in our lives.

One of the things that makes Lynd's essays so enjoyable to read is his ability to find the humor and wonder in the everyday. In his essay "On Good Resolutions," for example, he writes about the futility of making New Year's resolutions, but he does so in a way that is both insightful and humorous. He observes that "good resolutions are like bad pennies: they turn up again and again."

In another essay, "On the Sea," Lynd writes about his love of the ocean. He describes the sea as "a place where the soul can breathe freely" and as "a source of endless wonder and awe." He also writes about the importance of protecting the sea from pollution and overfishing.

Lynd's essays are not only thought-provoking, but they are also beautifully written. He has a gift for using language in a way that is both evocative and precise. In his essay "On the Death of a Dog," for example, he writes about the grief he felt when his beloved dog died. He writes that "the death of a dog is a small thing, but it is a real thing." He also writes that "the dog is the only animal that never leaves man."

The Book of This and That is a collection of essays that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. It is a book that will make you think, feel, and laugh. It is a book that will remind you of the beauty and wonder of the world around us.

The Essence and Spirit of the Book

The essence and spirit of The Book of This and That is captured in the following quote from Lynd's essay "On the Beauty of Statistics":

"The world is full of beauty, both seen and unseen. And one of the ways to see the unseen beauty is through the eyes of the artist, the writer, the poet."

Lynd's essays are a celebration of the beauty of the world around us, both seen and unseen. He writes about the simple things in life, such as the beauty of a flower or the sound of a bird singing. He also writes about the more complex things in life, such as the nature of love and the meaning of suffering.

But no matter what he is writing about, Lynd always writes with a sense of hope and optimism. He believes that the world is a good place, and he believes that we are all capable of creating a better world.

Conclusion

The Book of This and That is a collection of essays that will make you think, feel, and laugh. It is a book that will remind you of the beauty and wonder of the world around us. It is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.