Homer's stories and poetry are very old; Greek plays almost as. Gutenberg pressed words onto paper in 1450. By 1572 the essay was still in hiding (Montaigne, France); nearly last onto the literary scene. Curious. The essay's reputation has often suffered relative to its older siblings. But it need not. For the essay has no need to supplant nor replace any other literary form; it can, and best lives in perfect complimentary harmony with literature's entirety. For the essay has several built in strengths and charms. May my listing of them here enrich your reading and appreciation herein: -...