The Edge of Meaning

Certain questions are basic to the human condition: how we imagine the world, and ourselves and others within it; how we confront the constraints of language and the limits of our own minds; and how we use imagination to give meaning to past experiences and to shape future ones. These are the questions James Boyd White addresses in The Edge of Meaning, exploring each through its application to great works of Western culture—Huckleberry Finn, the Odyssey, and the paintings of Vermeer among them. In doing so, White creates a deeply moving and insightful book and presents an inspiring conception of mind, language, and the essence of living.

Summary: The Edge of Writing
Rating: 5

James Boyd White has crafted another excellent exploration of the intersections of writing, law, culture, and society. A must read for those interested both in the art of writing well and in enhancing the ability to understand the various meanings contained in specific texts. While his specific areas of interest are Classical Studies and Law, the precise methods he uses apply to writers everywhere. Want to give an edge to your writing? Then read, "The Edge of Meaning."