The Wit and Wisdom of Don Quixote de la Mancha - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0071450955 ISBN 13: 9780071450959

Publisher: McGraw-Hill, 2004

Synopsis

For the upcoming 400th anniversary of one of literature's greatest novels, a celebration of its most unforgettable passages

A browser's delight of proverbs, just in time for the 400th anniversary of Cervantes's classic, The Wit and Wisdom of Don Quixote de la Mancha distills the timeless insight and humor of the masterpiece into a charming gift-size collection ideal for any lover of literature and great quotations.

Decorated with rich illustrations and assembled with a historical introduction by Cervantes scholar Harry Sieber, the quotations in this book are arranged according to theme for quick reference. Readers will easily discover the perfect quote for any occasion or topic. From Love and Hope, to Prudence and Prosperity, to Honor and Honesty, Don Quixote is famous for countless proverbs that have stood the test of time.

After 400 years, these sayings are still with us today, and the best are gathered in this literary volume. In the words of the immortal Man of La Mancha, "Thou hast seen nothing yet."

About this title

From the Back Cover:

You can never have too much of a good thing--hundreds of enlightening proverbs from one of literature's greatest novels

A browser's delight of proverbs, just in time for the 400th anniversary of Cervantes' classic, The Wit and Wisdom of Don Quixote de la Mancha distills the timeless insight and humor of the masterpiece into a charming gift-size collection ideal for any lover of literature and great quotations.

When Miguel de Cervantes first published Don Quixote de la Mancha in 1605 and 1615, he met with great success: It was the first-ever bestselling novel, going through six editions in the year of its publication. The masterpiece was beloved by so many because it resembled--and poked fun at--the cultural phenomena of its day. Following on the heels of the invention of the printing press, rising literacy rates, and the new global sensation of the novel, Don Quixote tells the story of a man driven mad from reading too much popular fiction--superhuman tales of warrior-heroes, magic weapons, and monstrous enemies. He goes in search of adventure, hoping to right all manner of wrongs and gain fame for his valorous deeds.

Stories of wild superhuman adventure are still popular, especially on television and in the movies. To some extent, we are all Don Quixote, emboldened and driven mad by impossible media messages, fighting giants when they are only harmless windmills. We still have much to learn from the misadventures of the Man of La Mancha, and we are lucky to have his words of wisdom collected here.

Decorated with rich illustrations and assembled with a historical introduction, the quotations are arranged according to theme for quick reference. From Love and Hope to Prudence and Prosperity to Honor and Honesty, the themes will allow you to easily discover the perfect quote for any occasion. After 400 years, these sayings are still with us today and the best are gathered in this literary volume. In the words of the immortal Man of La Mancha, "Thou hast seen nothing yet."

"There cannot be too much of a good thing?"

"We are all mortal: here today and gone tomorrow."

"If the blind lead the blind, they are both in danger of falling into the ditch."

"Destiny, when one door is shut, always leaves another open."

For the past 400 years, the countless proverbs of Don Quixote de la Mancha have stood the test of time. These brief and witty sayings reflect a folk wisdom that is still relevant to our lives today. In them, we hear echoes of our own trials, tribulations, and moments of pure joy. They act as signposts along the road of life's many adventures and misadventures. In this beautifully illustrated collection of quotations from one of literature's most celebrated masterpieces, you will find familiar sayings alongside undiscovered gems--all of them witty and enlightening.

Topically arranged for easy reference, the proverbs are as varied as human experience itself and run the gamut from love and marriage to life and death to good and evil and much more. Simply stated and delightfully down-to-earth, these timeless quotations convey profound insights into human behavior, hopes, and dreams, showing us that life as we know it is often filled with folly as well as wisdom.

A delight for all lovers of literature and students of human nature, The Wit and Wisdom of Don Quixote de la Mancha is an essential reference for making sense of life in the modern world.

About the Author:

Harry Sieber is professor of Spanish in the Department of Romance Languages at Johns Hopkins University. He has conducted research in Spain as a Guggenheim Fellow and has published numerous articles on Cervantes, as well as two books, The Picaresque and Language and Society in the "Lazarillo de Tormes." He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

About this edition

• Publisher: McGraw-Hill
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0071450955
• ISBN 13: 9780071450959
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 141
• Editor: Harry Sieber