Outdoor Conservation Book Club discussion

This month's book is Walden! A classic in the outdoor / nature writing sphere by Henry David Thoreau. I've read it once, ages ago, but it's a must read I think for anyone interested in nature or the outdoors. For 2 years, 2 months, and 2 days Thoreau lived in a cabin (that he built) by a pond in Massachusetts, observing his surroundings and reflecting on life. Enjoy!

Meh. It's rambling and kind of arrogant, and there are some gems of wisdom, if only you can find them in the rambling chaos. Perhaps it's simply the writing style of the 1850s or Thoreau's style personally but either way, I did not enjoy this. Also he makes himself out to be a bit of a pioneer out in the woods so far from civilization but he's really not all that far or alone much. It's a little misleading. But again there are a few gems of wisdom buried in the depths. This was a bust for me.

I see I said I had read it before but I'm not actually sure that's true now. And I take back the must read part

I have never read this, and was considering it when it came around a few months ago. However, in little blurbs that have read of over the years, I have never gotten the sense that I would enjoy it. Perhaps at least in part for the reason that you mentioned about writing style of that time. So, I still have not read it. 🙂

I think that's okay! In my opinion there's better books chronicling someone's time in the wilderness. Most recently I enjoyed One Man's Wilderness. But I'm always a fan of Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire too