Hello

I would like to highly recommend this recent publication by the Harvard University Press. Some of the extracts have never appeared either in the original German, let alone English before.

In these early essays one can already begin to experience something of that extraordinary lucid transparency which Benjamin posses with an abundance, that allows a range of subjects (from old children’s books, philosophy, mythology, the life of students, Goethe's Elective Affinities) to reveal their inner nature and, surrender something of themselves to this mans wisdom.

To share (privately) in some part of these correspondences, is to come to understand what Benjamin means by our turning towards what is transcendental and, of the spirit in ourselves and of the world. Perhaps all such thoughts even those contained in a written manuscript from an earlier time remain at least, partially open, awaiting their final meaning by that last reader in "time", until then does not all else remain a "work in progress" which captures, beautifully the spirit of this first volume of Benjamin’s selected writings.

Regards