Through eight editions, this classic thematic anthology has been hailed for its exceptionally rich collection of essays, memoirs, stories, poems, plays, and fine art.

Renowned for the quality of its selections, The Conscious Reader presents 176 pieces representing a range of genres: 29 personal reminiscences, 73 essays, 21 short stories, 42 poems, 3 plays, and 9 pieces of full—color art. Featuring a wide array of culturally diverse authors and fascinating topics, the readings also cover a broad range of academic disciplines, including art, cultural studies, education, psychology, philosophy, politics, science, technology, and environmental studies. The works range from the classical—Plato's Crito—to the contemporary—Maya Angelou, Roger Rosenblatt, and Ian Frazier. Brief, flexible apparatus includes an introduction to each theme and helpful headnotes, discussion questions, and writing assignments for each selection.