William J Dean

Before Us On the Road William J Dean

At age 25, while a student at law school, I began copying in a journal, in longhand, favorite passages from my reading. I feared that by failing to do so, I would be unable to recall what had given me such pleasure and knowledge. I have continued this practice for 57 years. My journals are a treasure trove for me as a lawyer, writer and in daily living. In this book, I have selected favorite passages from 125 writers, among them Keats, Dickens, Chekhov, Montaigne, Camus, Tolstoy, Lincoln, Thoreau, Moliere, Pushkin, Van Gogh and Oscar Wilde. The book is dedicated to all the writers appearing therein. I read the passages over and over again. On the train, as it proceeds along the majestic Hudson River. In Venice, on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, as cruise ships and tugs pass the Doge's Palace, there I am with journal in hand. And I do so on the East Green at 70th Street in Central Park across from the Frick Collection when seated on the grass leaning against my favorite oak tree. The writings deepen my life, and since I often read them aloud, enrich my use of the spoken language. In hundreds of my published essays, I have drawn upon these passages. Dear Reader, I hope my shared selections will give you pleasure as well. This is the third book published by me. The others are "My New York: A Life in the City" and "Into Distant Countries". Both are available through Amazon.com.