Essays of E.B. White is a collection of 31 essays by E.B. White, written over a life-time. The earliest essays date from 1939, while the most recent was written in 1975. Most essays were written during the 1950s. This Chinese bilingual edition is published in two hardcover volumes: Here is New York. Essays, Vol. 1 and Once more to the lake. Essays, Vol. 2. The content of the two volumes is identical to that of the single-volume edition of Essays of E.B. White.

The essays in this collection are beautifully written, and transport the reader to a world which no longer exists, but is often still longed for by the older generation, as well as a younger generation that is weary of the world of unsustainable economic growth. In fact, it was during E.B. White's life time that that lifestyle started to disappear. The essays, particularly those grouped together under the title "The Farm",as there are "Home-coming", "Death of a Pig", "Coon Tree" and "The Geese" look back towards a lifestyle of living on the land, which could still be found aplenty in the 1950s, although it was already on the wane. More essays that evoke a feeling of nostalgia are those grouped under the title "Memories", including essays such as "Afternoon of an American Boy", "The Years of Wonder" and "Once More to the Lake". They describe White's memories of closeness to nature experienced during the 1940s and 1950s.

Throughout the collection there is concern for the disappearance of the lifestyle of living on the land. E.B. White seems to have been strongly aware of the threats to that lifestyle. White includes an endearing portrait of the city of New York in "Here is New York" but it is grouped together with the essay "The World of Tomorrow", the oldest essay in the collection, from 1939, under the title "The City". The overall impression must lead to the conclusion that for all its apparent greatness, E.B. White resents life in the city, which alienates people from each other.

A number of essays show the author to fear the ultimate destruction, not just of the traditional lifestyle, but of the entire planet. Fear of nuclear war permeates "Sootfall and Fallout" written in 1956, "Unity" about disarmament, written in 1960, and "Letter from the East" written in 1975, grouped under the title of "The Planet".

There are also essays about literature, and about White collaboration with William Strunk Jr. on a new edition of The Elements of Style.

The style of the essays is dated. Spanning 40 years, and mainly written during the 1950s, the essays are written in a style that precedes their conception, as if they do not just refer to the lifestyle of the past, but also to a writing style of that past era. The tone of almost all essays is nostalgia and melancholy. They bear out a happiness experiences in the past and worry when looking at the future.

E.B. White is aminly known as an author of children's books and other light-hearted works, such as poetry and humour together with James Thurber. It is perhaps fitting that he collected his more sombre and personal ideas in his essays.

A likely contender for a classic originating from the 1950s. ( )