Walden

Name: Walden
Brand: Findaway Voices
Availability: InStock
Author: Henry David Thoreau
ISBN: 9798882393747

Author: Henry David Thoreau

Narrator: Rose Clarke

Unabridged: 10 hr 56 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Robert Larson

Published: 10/24/2024

Categories: Fiction, Nature

Synopsis

Walden; or, Life in the Woods is a seminal work by Henry David Thoreau, published in 1854. It chronicles the author's experiment in simple living over two years, two months, and two days at Walden Pond, near Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau built a small cabin on land owned by his friend Ralph Waldo Emerson, aiming to immerse himself in nature and reflect on the essence of life.The book serves multiple purposes: it is a personal declaration of independence, a social experiment, and a philosophical treatise on self-reliance and individualism.Thoreau explores themes of labor, leisure, and the spiritual benefits of a simplified lifestyle. He grows his own food, observes the natural world, and engages in deep contemplation about humanity's relationship with nature and society.Through a series of essays, Thoreau articulates his belief that people often become enslaved by material pursuits. He advocates for living deliberately and authentically, encouraging readers to heed their inner voice rather than conforming to societal expectations. Notable quotes from the text include reflections on solitude and the importance of personal integrity.Ultimately, Walden not only highlights Thoreau's love for nature but also critiques the industrialization of society, making it a foundational text in American literature and Transcendentalist thought.

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 Riku on September 01, 2014

The first half is written by Thoreau, the accomplished philosopher and soars much above my humble powers of comprehension; the second half is written by Thoreau, the amateur naturalist and swims much below my capacity for interest. After reading about the influence the book had on Gandhi, I had atte......more

Goodreads review by Jeremy on August 01, 2007

Or "The Guy Who Liked to Go Outside and Do Stuff". If Thoreau were alive today, I bet he'd be one of those guys who won't shut up about how he "doesn't even own" a television. Curiously, however, I don't think he'd smell bad. And he'd find Radiohead neither overrated nor God's gift to modern music.......more

Goodreads review by Lisa of Troy on February 05, 2025

The Book That Led To My Best Friend Groundbreaking and thought provoking. Need to grab a highlighter just to get through the first chapter. It has so many ideas that were ahead of its time and still deserve a pause. This is one of my favorite books of all time. I have read it at least half a dozen ti......more

Goodreads review by Clare on September 08, 2008

Reading Walden was kind of like eating bran flakes: You know it's good for you, and to some degree you enjoy the wholesomeness of it, but it's not always particularly exciting. The parts of this book that I loved (the philosophy, which always held my interest even though I sometimes didn't agree wit......more

Goodreads review by Meghhnaa on November 17, 2022

It is incredible to see that I am ready with the review of my teenage favorites, that propelled me towards philosophy and to cherish the novelty of nature! When I conjectured it would put me to sleep, this book woke me in ways inexplicable! 😊 A perfect example of a book whose likeability is sheerly......more