Walden

by Henry David Thoreau, J. Lyndon Shanley, John Updike

No cover — Henry David Thoreau, J. Lyndon Shanley, John Updike: Walden (2016, Princeton University Press)

384 pages

English language

Published April 2, 2016 by Princeton University Press.

ISBN:: 978-1-4008-8079-9

(12 reviews)

Walden (; first published in 1854 as Walden; or, Life in the Woods) is a book by American transcendentalist writer Henry David Thoreau. The text is a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings. The work is part personal declaration of independence, social experiment, voyage of spiritual discovery, satire, and—to some degree—a manual for self-reliance.Walden details Thoreau's experiences over the course of two years, two months, and two days in a cabin he built near Walden Pond amidst woodland owned by his friend and mentor Ralph Waldo Emerson, near Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau makes precise scientific observations of nature as well as metaphorical and poetic uses of natural phenomena. He identifies many plants and animals by both their popular and scientific names, records in detail the color and clarity of different bodies of water, precisely dates and describes the freezing and thawing of the pond, and recounts his experiments to measure …

85 editions

Henry reviewed Walden by Henry David Thoreau

Ahead of its time & beyond thought-provoking!

5 stars

The emotions while I read this book were bouncing around the room.

One chapter has me yelling in agreement with Thoreau on his pro-animal stances toward hunting and dieting. The next on minimalism - inspiring me to gather more things I no longer need to donate. The next makes me put the book down to be high on nature. The next makes me rethink civil obedience and give up all I’m doing to commit to being my truest self with no external influences.

No review I am able to give can properly outline how impactful this book has been on the way I see the world. The philosophies are still ever true today, and Thoreau’s definition of “dull man” still appears to be the overwhelming majority of society today - all busy slaving away for the objects and powers that only serve to trap and control them.

Excellent read, all …

The emotions while I read this book were bouncing around the room.

Excellent read, all should read.

Warning: Definitely on the more difficult side. Though not unattainable.

PublicHealthInnit reviewed Walden by Henry David Thoreau

Review of 'Walden' on 'Goodreads'

1 star

I heard this was a classic of philosophy so thought I'd give it a try. I didn't manage to get through it as it read like a self-righteous treatise on why the choices of the author make him so much better than everyone else. Very disappointing.

lovmelovmycats reviewed Walden by Henry David Thoreau

Review of 'Walden' on 'Goodreads'

1 star

I don't like adding books I haven't finished to Goodreads. But I didn't finish this one, 'cause I hated it. I read it for school. I think that Thoreau was an annoying wanker. Maybe I should try to re-read it, since I was 17 at the time. Maybe my reaction would be different now.