While Eminescu is often described as the essence of the Romanian soul, modern literary language in Romania is also much indebted to him. His work encompassed every genre of poetry as well as prose and journalism. Eminescu is considered Europe's last great Romantic not in the least because he brought a voice such unmistakable music to the sadness of love. His legacy, however, transcends the confines of Romanticism, Western literary and philosophical traditions, and influences of the Far East. Blessed with the touch of genius, his synthesis is a personal world of meaning about the life of man and of the cosmos in archetypal images of universal worth. The enlarged edition includes an expanded biography of the poet as well as colored page layouts.