Walden
114 Installments—Entirely free
(Preview)
Members' Rating:
from 33 Ratings and 11 Reviews
Tags: Classics, Novel, Philosophy
ISBN:046087635X
Description
First published in 1854, Walden is Henry David Thoreau's famous account of his radical experiment in living. For one year, Thoreau threw off the burdens of society to live alone in the woods. In a simple cabin near Walden Pond, away from the complications and stresses of civilization, Thoreau is inspired to reflect on society and human nature itself. Walden is the story of a full year of simple, self-sufficient existence in Nature and a timeless record of American ideals.
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About the Author
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was a prolific author, noted naturalist, and key figure in the American Literary Renaissance of the nineteenth century. Although he held a more or less steady job at his family's pencil factory in Concord, Massachusetts, Thoreau established himself as one of the nation's foremost free-thinkers and individualists through such essays and other works as Walden, Civil Disobedience, and A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers. Throughout his writing, Thoreau's message remains one of the importance of casting off the contradictions and complications of modern society in favor of honest reflection, clean living, and connection with the natural world.
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When I wrote the following pages, or rather the bulk of them, I lived alone, in the woods, a mile from any neighbor, in a house which I had built myself, on the shore of Walden Pond, in Concord, Massachusetts, and earned my living by the labor of my hands only. I lived there two years and two ...
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5/5
Reviewed by joycec on Nov 23, 2011
Nice to revisit the simplicity of Walden Pond
Most of us read this book in high school but I think it means much more once we've grown a little older. I found re-reading it to be refreshing and insightful.
5/5
Reviewed by chardman on May 18, 2010
I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself...
Thoreau says, "I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion." Indeed! He also points out that, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation."
This is a wonderful book detailing Thoreau's noble experiment on how we should "live simply so that that we may simply live." The first half seemed more "how-to" with some of his philosophy thrown in for good measure.
It makes me want to build my own little shack in the woods and find out how I may truly live.
5/5
Reviewed by natbas on Mar 27, 2010
A Superb Book
One of the best books I have read- so prescient in his engagement with nature. Enjoyed his sharp eye, and great language.
4/5 
Reviewed by Yansheng_Wei on Feb 11, 2010
Classic and Inspiring
A true classic.
- Connects us again with nature. The book gives modern urban population the opportunity to experience nature in its full capacity and slow motion.
- Spiritual without relegious: In addition to lead the read to the infinite vastness of nature, it also directs us inside toward ourselves, and the vast unexplored spaces wihtin.
4/5
Reviewed by jaap on Sep 20, 2009
Schitterend boek over minimalistisch leven
Chris McCandless leest dit boek in de film "Into the Wild". Het lijkt alsof de film naar dit boek van Thoreau gemaakt is. Maar het boek loopt beter af ;-)
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Ratings for 'Walden' by Thoreau, Henry David
| Alexei | | 2008-08-01 | |
| bookmark123 |  | 2009-02-09 | |
| boookywooky | | 2009-07-15 | |
| brucegud | | 2009-09-29 | |
| caojunkai | | 2009-03-01 | |
| chardman | | Read review | 2010-05-18 |
| diky | | Read review | 2009-04-30 |
| doo1019 |  | Read review | 2009-11-05 |
| Drades | | 2011-06-25 | |
| everdeen | | 2008-11-19 | |
| Faustess | | 2010-06-29 | |
| jaap | | Read review | 2009-09-20 |
| jolly819 | | 2009-05-13 | |
| joycec | | Read review | 2011-11-23 |
| kiradog | | Read review | 2009-06-22 |
| luvpumpkns | | 2009-08-17 | |
| marniejh | | 2009-04-24 | |
| natbas | | Read review | 2009-12-05 |
| NDumas | | 2009-06-09 | |
| Ouija | | 2011-05-07 | |
| peterh | | 2010-07-06 | |
| PMCGOLDRICK | | Read review | 2009-04-23 |
| punkfloyd | | 2010-05-08 | |
| qingchris7 | | 2010-11-02 | |
| satari | | 2009-07-11 |
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