Status
Available
Genres
Publication
Penguin Classics (2015), Edition: 01, 64 pages
Description
'You shall have thousands of gold pieces; - thousands of thousands - millions - mountains of gold- where will you keep them?'Two of Ruskin's most powerful essays- 'Traffic' and 'The Roots of Honour'Introducing Little Black Classics- 80 books for Penguin's 80th birthday. Little Black Classics celebrate the huge range and diversity of Penguin Classics, with books from around the world and across many centuries. They take us from a balloon ride over Victorian London to a garden of blossom in Japan, from Tierra del Fuego to 16th century California and the Russian steppe. Here are stories lyrical and savage; poems epic and intimate; essays satirical and inspirational; and ideas that have shaped the lives of millions.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Xleptodactylous
John Ruskin was a Victorian art critic, as well as a philanthropist, speech-giver and painter. This book contains two of his works, a speech called Traffic, given in Bradford to some men who wanted his thoughts on their new Exchange building and an essay called The Roots of Honour, which concerns
Traffic is one of the most beautiful pieces of writing I have ever read. Ruskin has been invited, as an art critic, to direct the people of Bradford in which direction of architecture style they should build their new Exchange building in, but Ruskin opens whole-heartedly with the sentiment that he does "not care about this Exchange of [theirs]." Delivered in the Town Hall of Bradford in 1864, Ruskin speaks about the aesthetics of beauty and the relation between taste and morality.
The second essay is longer and not so beautifully put together, but still captivating enough to spark enough intelligence in any person. The Roots of Honour, whilst still an exemplary example of Ruskin's writing, concerns the political economics of Britain and Ruskin tries to simplify it whilst at the same time applying his art critique upon it.
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economy and politics.Traffic is one of the most beautiful pieces of writing I have ever read. Ruskin has been invited, as an art critic, to direct the people of Bradford in which direction of architecture style they should build their new Exchange building in, but Ruskin opens whole-heartedly with the sentiment that he does "not care about this Exchange of [theirs]." Delivered in the Town Hall of Bradford in 1864, Ruskin speaks about the aesthetics of beauty and the relation between taste and morality.
The second essay is longer and not so beautifully put together, but still captivating enough to spark enough intelligence in any person. The Roots of Honour, whilst still an exemplary example of Ruskin's writing, concerns the political economics of Britain and Ruskin tries to simplify it whilst at the same time applying his art critique upon it.
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LibraryThing member pivic
Fighting for beauty is a good thing but my God, unless one digs architecture and dragging on, this is not worth the one pound it costs. It's probably had a worthy cause and is celebrated duly, but now, gharr.
Language
Physical description
64 p.; 6.34 x 4.37 inches
ISBN
0141398140 / 9780141398143