Open That Door!

"Open That Door!" by Robert Sturgis Ingersoll is a philosophical and motivational work written in the early 20th century. The book explores the barriers individuals often face in life and encourages readers to embrace literature as a means to break free from these constraints. It presents a heartfelt argument for the transformative power of reading and the importance of maintaining a child-like sense of wonder throughout one’s life. At the start of the book, Ingersoll reflects on the egotism inherent in authorship and the universal desire for more from life, asserting that everyone wishes to enjoy the fullness of existence. He likens the struggles of adulthood to walls that impede our view of life’s possibilities, suggesting that to overcome these obstacles, one must embrace literature as a key to unlocking new understandings and experiences. He emphasizes the importance of seeing the world through the eyes of a child, advocating for a return to a state of vibrant curiosity and engagement with life, thus setting the stage for a deeper exploration of how literature can enrich our lives.