Faith in a Seed: The Dispersion of Seeds & Other Late Natural History Writings

by Henry David Thoreau, Abigail Rorer (Illustrator), Bradley P. Dean (Editor)

Faith in a Seed contains the hitherto unpublished work The Dispersion of Seeds, one of Henry D. Thoreau's last important research and writing projects, and now his first new book to appear in 125 years. With the remarkable clarity and grace that characterize all of his writings, Thoreau describes the ecological succession of plant species through seed dispersal. The Dispersion of Seeds , which draws on Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection, refutes the then widely accepted theory that some plants spring spontaneously to life, independent of roots, cuttings, or seeds. As Thoreau "Though I do not believe a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in a seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders." Henry D. Thoreau's Faith in a Seed , was first published in hardcover in 1993 by Island Press under the Shearwater Books imprint, which unifies scientific views of nature with humanistic ones. This important work, the first publication of Thoreau's last manuscript, is now available in paperback. Faith in a Seed contains Thoreau's last important research and writing project, The Dispersion of Seeds , along with other natural history writings from late in his life. Edited by Bradley P. Dean, professor of English at East Carolina University and editor of the Thoreau Society Bulletin, these writings demonstrate how a major American author at the height of his career succeeded in making science and literature mutually enriching.

Genres: Nature, Natural History, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Science, Literature, Classics

301 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Henry 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...

Reviews

[Toby Brennen · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the son of a forester, even though my own path went in a different direction, I developed an interest in 'the woods' and having enjoyed 'Walden' many, many years ago, I was looking forward to reading "Faith in a Seed." Wow! What mind-numbing rambling. I have decided that Thoreau had some variation of OCD. What he chose to observe, and the detailed recording of these observations, was fascinating only from the stand point that someone would spend so much time on so many details to reveal so little. Of course, it is difficult to separate what we 'know' today from what was known in his time. And numerous others, more qualified than I, have written regarding his conclusions and the approach of his 'scientific method'. Normally, I would have put this book down after the first 40-50 pages, but . . . interwoven in his documentation of which seeds fell straight to the ground and which went aloft on a windy days, were, ahem, seeds of poetic wisdom. And it was about the time I would consider putting the book aside that one of these kernels would open before me, and yes, this was enough to keep me moving forward to the end. "Faith in a Seed" is not a difficult read, though I am fairly versed in the types of plants he most often discusses and can envision many of the scenarios in my head as he describes them. I can see where someone not familiar with the difference between a pitch pine and scrub pine or a beech and elm might have a difficult time because a substantial number of the details would lose their meaning. Other than the interspersed philosophical meanderings, what I found truly intriguing were not the details but the more general references, providing insight into the environment during his day. Worth a read? Sure, why not, you can always say you're reading Thoreau!

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still enjoying this one--Thoreau really knows how to make worms and cotyledons entertaining.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is actually a collection of Thoreau's unpublished works dealing with the dispersion of tree and shrub seeds. The four part collection encompasses three short essays and one book length manuscript. Thoreau's works showcase his excellent observation skills as a self- trained plant biologist. He uses these skills to meticulously explain to the reader his thoughts about the interaction of shrubs, trees, weeds, and other plants, with the animals that share their space in the forests, fields, and woodlots he traversed.

Citing his own contemporaries throughout the book, as well as Linnaeus, and Pliny, Thoreau uses their writings to elaborate upon his own field observations. His observations are explained in free flowing and meticulous, dry detail which becomes quite repetitive especially since there are no chapters. However if you are interested in learning more about Thoreau and how he thought about the natural world you may consider reading Faith In A Seed.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this careful, descriptive (long) essay on forest succession was interesting. I applaud the care with which Thoreau observed, recorded and measured. His techniques show a remarkable patience. I found my mind wandering as he discussed trees and plants with which I am unfamiliar, however. Even his rich descriptions were not enough to make them real to me.

[Wanjun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a poignant love letter addressed to the intelligence of trees, bound as a scientific lab notebook.

Thoreau's lovely prose is always a treat. I loved feeling and discovering the unyielding spirit of seeds.

[Robbin Vokes · Rating 3 out of 5]

P.73. The fruit of the tupelo (pepperidge, sour gum) is small, very acid...yet it is so gularly attractive to birds, especially robins."

I just couldn't get into the details of seed dispersal in New England.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

good stuff. i got sidetracked halfway through, as happens sometimes, but it brought me back, which is a good sign. This is a collection of some later writings Thoreau did on natural history, particularly, as stated in the subtitle, on the dispersion of seeds - those of the trees around concord are the major focus of that manuscript, including the role of squirrels and birds, about which Thoreau writes very charmingly and admiringly. The poetry of the title of the collection belies the somewhat dry nature of the subject. If you're not at all interested in trees and forest succession, you might want to give this a miss, there's no civil disobediance going on here, but if you like learning about stuff like that, Thoreau writes about it well... there may have been some additional stuff learned in the intervening 150 years, but I think the observations here are probably still quite sound.

If you are looking for the poetics and social commentay side of Thoreau you should read one of the other selections in this book. The introduction, particularly, of Wild Fruits is worth a read for its skewering of people who do not keep their priorities straight. As well as containing an early formulation of the modern phenomenon of locovorism... growing, or better, finding your own food.* The rest of that selection is a good read too I must say. As much as Thoreau likes trees, he gets much more effusive when discussing strawberries and blueberries. Can't say as I blame him.

*"It is a grand fact that you cannot make the fairer fruits or parts of fruits matter of commerce, that is, you cannot buy the highest use and enjoyment of them. You cannot buy that pleasure which it yields to him who truly plucks it. You cannot buy a good appetite even. In short, you may buy a servant or slave, but you cannot buy a friend."

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've opened this book in efforts to take a closer look into H.D.T. interest the life cycles of the natural invironment, the local natural resources - the woods that he admired. I am hoping to learn from his ability to observe, truely see and record truthfully.

Currently I am 85 pages in. Henry David Thoreau describes the local seeds of the Concord area. H.D. addresses the shape and functions of seeds and will track their dispersal and growth. He is amazing and truly sees all of the beauty of the natural world around him. His passion and intense interest becomes so apparent. This man is truly inspiring, his love of nature and powers of observation become clear with every word he writes.

It was wonderfully relaxing. H.D. had such an interest in seeds and the natural world. The text does a great job bringing his voice alive.

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is different than Thoreau's other pieces. It is a Darwinian argument of the ways that plants disperse their seeds for their organism's to survive. It is not as poetic or philosophical as the things he published during his life time. I don't know if that is because he didn't have the opportunity to polish it more or if it is because it was intended to be a volume of a natural encyclopedia that he was writing. As I understand it this is the only volume that was completed. The rest was notes left behind of data he gathered.

I recommend this book to the Thoreau aficionado or to anyone interested in early literature arguing for evolution. Otherwise, I would say give it a pass.

[Aaron Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far it is a great Thoreau read. Seemingly with out point he babbles on about the trees of his region and their habits of reproduction. His attention to detail and dedication to his notes over a decade are remarkable and fun to read. Inspirational both in terms of his dedication and in regards to the steady pace of reproduction of life in general, not just human, or rather, especially not human.

[Kalani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am giving this book 3 stars and setting it aside for now, having gotten almost 1/3 of the way through it. This is a great work of literature, as is all Thoreau that I have read, however it is heavy on the technical and there is too much going on in my life right now for me to focus enough in order to get the most out of this book. It has definitely earned a permanent place in my home library and I know I will return to it someday.

[Andrea Greene Myers]

Being a diehard fan of Thoreau, I loved it, but even for me it was tedious at times. This was written in Thoreau's later years when he pretty much turned to nature scientist, so unless you're really into Thoreau and/or nature study, you may want to avoid it. Thoreau's personal anecdotes and, as always, quotable words of wisdom, make it special and are probably its saving grace. It's very educational - you learn a lot about trees especially.

[Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

In these manuscripts, Thoreau is fascinated by his discovery that squirrels spread seeds that cause the forests to grow. That trees grow from seeds is indisputable: "No such forest has ever been known to spring from anything else. If anyone asserts that it sprang from something else, or from nothing, the burden of proof lies with him." That squirrels spread the seeds he believes to be a novel and controversial claim, which he proceeds to demonstrate through his observations.

[Robert Isenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

As much as I admire Thoreau, this is not what you'd call a readable book. It does prove that "creative nonfiction" is an old medium, but Thoreau wrote far more engaging prose. For historical reasons, biologists may relish Thoreau's early naturalism (it's astonishing how much he absorbed by walking in the woods and observing), but it's not exactly designed for my demographic.

[Bobbettylou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has occasional quotable quotes and memorable, unique ways of seeing and describing nature but also long tedious passages with too much detail. Will not be a classic like On Walden Pond.

It was surprising and reassuring, to see the many references and quotes from Darwin's Origin of Species which had only been published about a year before Faith in a Seed had been written.

[Dan Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a posthumous creation, finishing as best as may be what Thoreau had started. As such, it is a little uneven but enjoyable nonetheless. This is much more Thoreau wearing his scientist cap than his Transcendenalist hat.

[Ambermahler]

This is really more a meditation to read his accounts of watching squirrels gather pine cones and then gnaw them.

[Xaiver · Rating 5 out of 5]

《种子的信仰》是亨利·戴维·梭罗的植物学手稿，从一个油松果开始，逐渐涉及了种子的传播和森林与田野的更替，中文译本文笔优美朴实凝练，似一颗橡果在梭罗的灵魂里扎了根，逐渐长成一棵枝繁叶茂的大树。记得梭罗曾对好友埃勒瑞说：“我死时，你会在我心里发现镌刻一株白橡树。”http://book.douban.com/subject/4905953/

[Alan Rohwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insights into nature

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Seems like this year I have become more interested in books on nature. I also always enjoy reading Thoreau.

[αcolon · Rating 3 out of 5]

作者对植物的观察记录和对自然与人的思考