The book is a collection of his previously unpublished 'essays' on/about a variety of topics.
There is no hint as to which of the approaches 'essayed' in this book will prove most useful.
He 'essayed' [='tried', 'attempted'] 'to restore' an emphasis on classical languages.
(..) before we noticed people were honking. -Really? To be fair, I wasn't just married to Jesus. It's been fourty years. Well he's a lucky guy. I read your college essay. You clearly love Sacramento. I do? You write about Sacramento so affectionately and with such care. Well, I was just describing it. (..)2017 Lady Bird