On the Duty of Civil Disobedience, Henry David Thoreau
On the Duty of Civil Disobedience, Henry David Thoreau
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On the Duty of Civil Disobedience

Author: Henry David Thoreau

Narrator: Graham Dunlop

Unabridged: 56 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/03/2024

Synopsis

Motivated by his disgust with the US government, Henry David Thoreau’s seminal philosophical essay enjoins individuals to stand against the ruling forces that seek to erase their free will. It is the duty of a good citizen, he argues, not only to disobey a bad law, but also to protest an unjust government. His message of nonviolence and appeal to value one’s own conscience over political legislation have resonated throughout American and world history. Peppered with the author’s poetry and social commentary, Civil Disobedience has become a manifesto for civil dissidents, revolutionaries, and protestors everywhere. Indeed, originally so unpopular with readers that Thoreau was forced to buy back over half of the books from his publisher, this work has gone on to inspire the likes of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

About Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862), an essayist, poet, philosopher, and anti-slavery activist, is one of the most beloved figures in American literature. He is the author of dozens of books and essays, including On Civil Disobedience, The Maine Woods, and A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Bill

I chose Thoreau’s essay Civil Disobedience as my 2018 Fourth of July read, figuring I could write something quick and easy, something about the Resistance, Generalissimo Trump, and the coming Blue Wave. Yada yada yada. Something inspiring and comforting. But it didn’t work out that way. I found Thore......more

Goodreads review by James

Book Review I read this nearly twenty years ago in a college course. I recently found my notes and listed a few below, so this isn’t a typical review you’ve seen from me. My reaction to this work is pretty complicated. It had some thought-invoking ideas, but it was boring from a readabil......more

Goodreads review by Jon

I have read excerpts from this essay over the years and have finally finished it. I wonder if there is a more timely book - truly the people need to take this book to heart if there is to be any hope of civility ever returning to America. Thoreau points out that passively accepting the political whi......more

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