Willard Spiegelman

In Seven Pleasures, Willard Spiegelman takes a look at the possibilities for achieving ordinary secular happiness without recourse to either religion or drugs. In this erudite and frequently hilarious book of essays, he discusses seven activities that lead naturally and easily to a sense of well-being. One of these--dancing--requires a partner, and therefore provides a lesson in civility, or good citizenship, as one of its benefits. The other six--reading,...

Professor Willard Spiegelman's friendly yet sophisticated approach to poetry has been delighting students at Southern Methodist University for almost thirty years. In the 24 captivating lectures represented here, he invites you to share what he has learned over his distinguished career as a scholar and teacher of literature.