PODCAST · arts

Essays on Things

by William Lyon Phelps

William Lyon Phelps was founder of the Pundits, a secret society at Yale, noted for its collection of the wittiest and most erudite students, and he later became one of the most beloved professors at Yale for many years. He was sought after as a lecturer, preacher, and scholar. His writing output covered a wide range of literary guides to novels, poetry, and drama from Shakespeare to Russian novels,, as well as works on the Bible. In this collection of fifty-two short essays, with unusual wit, insight, and breadth of learning, Phelps covers such serious topics as “War,” “Russia Before the Revolution,” “Church Unity,” and “Optimism and Pessimism,” but also draws insights from the mundane such as, “A Pair of Socks,” “Molasses,” “Tea” and “Spooks.” Not to be left out are his travels such as, “Going to Church in Paris,” “Going to Honolulu,” and “London as a Summer Resort.” - Summary by Larry Wilson