What do you think?
Rate this book
Henry David Thoreau: Walden, The Maine Woods, Collected Essays and Poems: A Library of America College Edition
Thoreau's political writing is intensely personal and direct. Both his life and work focus uncompromisingly on the question "how should I live?." This edition of Thoreau's political essays includes "Civil Disobedience," selections from Walden, and the anti-slavery addresses. In her introduction, Nancy L. Rosenblum places the essays in the context of Thoreau's life of self-examination, and analyzes the themes of citizenship and resistance that have made Thoreau an enduring influence in political philosophy and practice.
1264 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2007
2 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
Henry David Thoreau
2,437 books6,753 followersHenry David Thoreau (born David Henry Thoreau) was an American author, naturalist, transcendentalist, tax resister, development critic, philosopher, and abolitionist who is best known for Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay, Civil Disobedience, an argument for individual resistance to civil government in moral opposition to an unjust state.
Thoreau's books, articles, essays, journals, and poetry total over 20 volumes. Among his lasting contributions were his writings on natural history and philosophy, where he anticipated the methods and findings of ecology and environmental history, two sources of modern day environmentalism.
In 1817, Henry David Thoreau was born in Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard University in 1837, taught briefly, then turned to writing and lecturing. Becoming a Transcendentalist and good friend of Emerson, Thoreau lived the life of simplicity he advocated in his writings. His two-year experience in a hut in Walden, on land owned by Emerson, resulted in the classic, Walden: Life in the Woods (1854). During his sojourn there, Thoreau refused to pay a poll tax in protest of slavery and the Mexican war, for which he was jailed overnight. His activist convictions were expressed in the groundbreaking On the Duty of Civil Disobedience (1849). In a diary he noted his disapproval of attempts to convert the Algonquins "from their own superstitions to new ones." In a journal he noted dryly that it is appropriate for a church to be the ugliest building in a village, "because it is the one in which human nature stoops to the lowest and is the most disgraced." (Cited by James A. Haught in 2000 Years of Disbelief.) When Parker Pillsbury sought to talk about religion with Thoreau as he was dying from tuberculosis, Thoreau replied: "One world at a time."
Thoreau's philosophy of nonviolent resistance influenced the political thoughts and actions of such later figures as Leo Tolstoy, Mohandas K. Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr. D. 1862.
More: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/tho...
http://thoreau.eserver.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Da...
http://transcendentalism-legacy.tamu....
http://www.biography.com/people/henry...
Thoreau's books, articles, essays, journals, and poetry total over 20 volumes. Among his lasting contributions were his writings on natural history and philosophy, where he anticipated the methods and findings of ecology and environmental history, two sources of modern day environmentalism.
In 1817, Henry David Thoreau was born in Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard University in 1837, taught briefly, then turned to writing and lecturing. Becoming a Transcendentalist and good friend of Emerson, Thoreau lived the life of simplicity he advocated in his writings. His two-year experience in a hut in Walden, on land owned by Emerson, resulted in the classic, Walden: Life in the Woods (1854). During his sojourn there, Thoreau refused to pay a poll tax in protest of slavery and the Mexican war, for which he was jailed overnight. His activist convictions were expressed in the groundbreaking On the Duty of Civil Disobedience (1849). In a diary he noted his disapproval of attempts to convert the Algonquins "from their own superstitions to new ones." In a journal he noted dryly that it is appropriate for a church to be the ugliest building in a village, "because it is the one in which human nature stoops to the lowest and is the most disgraced." (Cited by James A. Haught in 2000 Years of Disbelief.) When Parker Pillsbury sought to talk about religion with Thoreau as he was dying from tuberculosis, Thoreau replied: "One world at a time."
Thoreau's philosophy of nonviolent resistance influenced the political thoughts and actions of such later figures as Leo Tolstoy, Mohandas K. Gandhi, and Martin Luther King, Jr. D. 1862.
More: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/tho...
http://thoreau.eserver.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Da...
http://transcendentalism-legacy.tamu....
http://www.biography.com/people/henry...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 29, 2021
I feel like I generally hear Thoreau and Emerson lumped together - and for good reason of course as they were friends and in some ways like-minded philosophical collaborators.
But I enjoyed reading the 6 Thoreau essays I completed from this collection considerably more than the 6 or so Emerson essays I also recently completed.
But I should qualify: I far preferred the naturalist essays I read - A Natural History of Massachusetts; Walking; A Winter Walk; and The Succession of Trees - to the more abstract and philosophical -Civil Disobedience and Self-Reliance. The latter struck me as self-righteous and pompous and totally impractical even if I do respect the passion and eloquence with which they are written. The former seemed much less didactic, with Thoreau's incredible powers of perception and practical scientific knowledge shining through.
In short, while I would love to go for a walk with Thoreau and feel sure he would charm and inform, I am ever so grateful to have never found myself on the receiving end of one of his lectures.
But I enjoyed reading the 6 Thoreau essays I completed from this collection considerably more than the 6 or so Emerson essays I also recently completed.
But I should qualify: I far preferred the naturalist essays I read - A Natural History of Massachusetts; Walking; A Winter Walk; and The Succession of Trees - to the more abstract and philosophical -Civil Disobedience and Self-Reliance. The latter struck me as self-righteous and pompous and totally impractical even if I do respect the passion and eloquence with which they are written. The former seemed much less didactic, with Thoreau's incredible powers of perception and practical scientific knowledge shining through.
In short, while I would love to go for a walk with Thoreau and feel sure he would charm and inform, I am ever so grateful to have never found myself on the receiving end of one of his lectures.
November 11, 2024
RIP Thoreau. You would’ve loved glamping.
November 8, 2025
Walden by Henry David Thoreau is a transcendentalist masterpiece that explores themes of simplicity, self-reliance, nature, and personal growth. Published in 1854, the book is a reflection on Thoreau’s two years spent living in a cabin he built near Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. Through his observations and reflections on the natural world and human society, Thoreau offers readers a powerful meditation on living deliberately, questioning society’s values, and embracing a life of purpose and authenticity.
In Walden, Thoreau advocates for a life stripped of material excess, urging readers to reconsider the comforts and distractions of modern life. He writes about the joys and challenges of living simply, finding beauty and meaning in the natural rhythms of the world around him. His observations are often philosophical, using everyday experiences—such as growing beans, building a cabin, and observing wildlife—as metaphors for broader reflections on self-sufficiency, spiritual fulfillment, and the pursuit of inner peace. Thoreau’s poetic language and deep sense of wonder infuse each chapter, inviting readers to slow down, observe the details of the world around them, and reconnect with their own inner lives.
One of the central messages of Walden is the importance of self-reliance. Thoreau’s decision to live alone and sustain himself as much as possible is both a practical and symbolic act, reflecting his commitment to personal freedom and independence. He challenges readers to question social conventions and the pursuit of material wealth, suggesting that true contentment comes not from possessions or status but from living according to one’s values and connecting with nature. This message resonates as a timeless reminder that fulfillment can be found in simplicity and that individuality can thrive outside societal expectations.
Thoreau’s love for nature is evident throughout the book, making Walden as much an environmental manifesto as a personal journey. His descriptions of Walden Pond, the changing seasons, and the flora and fauna around his cabin are vivid and reverent, capturing his deep respect for the natural world. Thoreau’s observations remind readers of the interconnectedness between humanity and nature, emphasizing that we are part of a larger, harmonious system. His environmental awareness, especially for his time, foreshadows the importance of conservation and the value of protecting natural spaces from industrial encroachment—a theme that has grown even more relevant in today’s ecological discussions.
Thoreau’s writing is contemplative and, at times, challenging. His ideas may not resonate with everyone, and his call for simplicity and solitude may seem idealistic or impractical for some readers. However, Thoreau’s willingness to live out his beliefs makes Walden a work of conviction, one that invites readers to consider their own lives and question what truly brings them joy and meaning. While Walden can be read as a guide to living deliberately, it also invites readers to interpret Thoreau’s experiences in their own way, finding inspiration in his reflections even if they choose a different path.
Walden is a profound meditation on the human experience, a reminder of the beauty of the natural world, and a call to introspection. Thoreau’s exploration of solitude, mindfulness, and purpose encourages readers to slow down, reflect, and rediscover the values that matter most to them. Though written in the 19th century, Walden remains deeply relevant, speaking to anyone interested in personal growth, environmentalism, and the search for meaning beyond materialism.
For its enduring wisdom, poetic language, and thought-provoking insights, Walden stands as a classic of American literature and philosophy. Thoreau’s reflections offer a timeless invitation to reconnect with nature, examine our priorities, and embrace a life of simplicity and authenticity, making Walden a valuable read for anyone on a journey of self-discovery.
In Walden, Thoreau advocates for a life stripped of material excess, urging readers to reconsider the comforts and distractions of modern life. He writes about the joys and challenges of living simply, finding beauty and meaning in the natural rhythms of the world around him. His observations are often philosophical, using everyday experiences—such as growing beans, building a cabin, and observing wildlife—as metaphors for broader reflections on self-sufficiency, spiritual fulfillment, and the pursuit of inner peace. Thoreau’s poetic language and deep sense of wonder infuse each chapter, inviting readers to slow down, observe the details of the world around them, and reconnect with their own inner lives.
One of the central messages of Walden is the importance of self-reliance. Thoreau’s decision to live alone and sustain himself as much as possible is both a practical and symbolic act, reflecting his commitment to personal freedom and independence. He challenges readers to question social conventions and the pursuit of material wealth, suggesting that true contentment comes not from possessions or status but from living according to one’s values and connecting with nature. This message resonates as a timeless reminder that fulfillment can be found in simplicity and that individuality can thrive outside societal expectations.
Thoreau’s love for nature is evident throughout the book, making Walden as much an environmental manifesto as a personal journey. His descriptions of Walden Pond, the changing seasons, and the flora and fauna around his cabin are vivid and reverent, capturing his deep respect for the natural world. Thoreau’s observations remind readers of the interconnectedness between humanity and nature, emphasizing that we are part of a larger, harmonious system. His environmental awareness, especially for his time, foreshadows the importance of conservation and the value of protecting natural spaces from industrial encroachment—a theme that has grown even more relevant in today’s ecological discussions.
Thoreau’s writing is contemplative and, at times, challenging. His ideas may not resonate with everyone, and his call for simplicity and solitude may seem idealistic or impractical for some readers. However, Thoreau’s willingness to live out his beliefs makes Walden a work of conviction, one that invites readers to consider their own lives and question what truly brings them joy and meaning. While Walden can be read as a guide to living deliberately, it also invites readers to interpret Thoreau’s experiences in their own way, finding inspiration in his reflections even if they choose a different path.
Walden is a profound meditation on the human experience, a reminder of the beauty of the natural world, and a call to introspection. Thoreau’s exploration of solitude, mindfulness, and purpose encourages readers to slow down, reflect, and rediscover the values that matter most to them. Though written in the 19th century, Walden remains deeply relevant, speaking to anyone interested in personal growth, environmentalism, and the search for meaning beyond materialism.
For its enduring wisdom, poetic language, and thought-provoking insights, Walden stands as a classic of American literature and philosophy. Thoreau’s reflections offer a timeless invitation to reconnect with nature, examine our priorities, and embrace a life of simplicity and authenticity, making Walden a valuable read for anyone on a journey of self-discovery.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews