Sparked by Thoreau s outrage at American slavery and the American-Mexican war, Civil Disobedience is a call for every citizen to value his conscience above his government. Within this 19th century essay, Thoreau explains government of any sort including democracy does not possess more wisdom or justice than its individual citizens, and that it is every citizen s responsibility to avoid acquiescence. More than an essay, Civil Disobedience is a call to action for all citizens to refuse to participate in, or encourage in any way, an unjust institution.
Civil Disobedience
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From the Back Cover
Henry David Thoreau's Civil Disobedience was originally published in 1849 as Resistance to Civil Government. Thoreau wrote this classic essay to advocate public resistance to the laws and acts of government that he considered unjust. The practical application of Civil Disobedience was largely ignored until the twentieth century when, at different times, Modanda Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and anti-Vietnam War activists applied Thoreau's principles.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
About the Author
Henry David Thoreau was born in 1817 in Concord, Massachusetts. He spent time as a school teacher after attending Harvard College but was dismissed for his refusal to administer corporal punishment. In 1845, wanting to write his first book, he moved to Walden Pond and built his cabin on land owned by Ralph Waldo Emerson. It was during his time at Walden that Thoreau was imprisoned briefly for not paying taxes; this experience became the basis for his well-known essay "Civil Disobedience." He died of tuberculosis in 1862 at the age of 44.
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Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was a writer and philosopher as well as a naturalist. Walden is considered his masterpiece.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
115 of 118 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Civil Disobedience is one of the most importance works of philosophy ever written. Like all great works of philosophy, it is as relevant today as it has ever been, as it transcends space and time. Don't let the abolitionist nature mislead you: this book is not merely about abolition and slavery. Rather, it is about Man Against the State, individuality, and Thoreau's philosophy of how one man can stand up to government and society, driven by his own convictions of right and wrong, as summarized by the timeless quote "Any man more right than his neighbors constitutes a majority of one already".
Thoreau's main point is that the best - and many times, the only - method for fighting injustice is through passive disobedience. By refusing to cooperate with the machinery of injustice, the individual can become the friction that stops the machine. Active resistance is bound for failure, as the machine (the State, society, etc.) is too formidable for the individual to fight. But, by refusing to cooperate, justice can be achieved and injustice toppled.
If you are looking for a marvelous primer on individuality and the fight for justice, start with this book.
Thoreau's main point is that the best - and many times, the only - method for fighting injustice is through passive disobedience. By refusing to cooperate with the machinery of injustice, the individual can become the friction that stops the machine. Active resistance is bound for failure, as the machine (the State, society, etc.) is too formidable for the individual to fight. But, by refusing to cooperate, justice can be achieved and injustice toppled.
If you are looking for a marvelous primer on individuality and the fight for justice, start with this book.
44 of 45 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
"It is not so desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right."-Henry David Thoreau
February 27, 2009
By Medusa
Format:Paperback
In "Civil Disobedience" Thoreau presents political theories in which he dissects democracy and the interaction between citizens and their government.
Understandably, Thoreau was deeply concerned about injustices he witnessed during his life, such as enslavement of one sixth of the population and the invasion of Mexico by the United States.
Thoreau does not oppose the institution of government; he believes that when a government becomes "abused and perverted", it ceases to represent the will of the people. When a government makes decisions that promulgate harm and injustice, it is the duty of its citizens to rebel and break those chains of injustices.
Arguably, the strongest idea Thoreau presents, is the notion of individualism. Thoreau encourages skepticism of the government and rejects blind loyalty to it. Thoreau perceives citizens, who give blind loyalty to their government's decisions without questioning them, as participants in every injustice committed by that government. Whether this point of view is correct or not, it is worth debating, especially in view of the horrific injustices that are extant in today's world and the way the masses so easily accept them without considering the negative impact on others.
Understandably, Thoreau was deeply concerned about injustices he witnessed during his life, such as enslavement of one sixth of the population and the invasion of Mexico by the United States.
Thoreau does not oppose the institution of government; he believes that when a government becomes "abused and perverted", it ceases to represent the will of the people. When a government makes decisions that promulgate harm and injustice, it is the duty of its citizens to rebel and break those chains of injustices.
Arguably, the strongest idea Thoreau presents, is the notion of individualism. Thoreau encourages skepticism of the government and rejects blind loyalty to it. Thoreau perceives citizens, who give blind loyalty to their government's decisions without questioning them, as participants in every injustice committed by that government. Whether this point of view is correct or not, it is worth debating, especially in view of the horrific injustices that are extant in today's world and the way the masses so easily accept them without considering the negative impact on others.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Bagels
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a thoroughly American view on political theory given the emphasis on the individual coupled with the call for civil disobedience. Definitely not for the faint hearted, go into this with a grasp of the events of the day and a willingness to read the entire essay at least twice to fully appreciate Thoreau's points.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Voting for the right is doing nothing for it"
Though written 150 years ago, this civics lesson is as timely today as it was then. His concerns about slavery and the Mexican-American War aren't all that relevant anymore, but... Read more
Published 8 days ago by Hailey McPherson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Crusty old yankee has his say
If you can get around the arcane english, it is good to read material from an author whose opinion was'nt always popular.
Published 11 days ago by jeanine gavagan
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Read for Social and Political Scientists
Henry Thoreau wrote first and foremost about the importance of remaining true to one's conscience. His texts on the personal responsibility of citizens upon contituting a... Read more
Published 19 days ago by Thomas Morgan
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great Book
You can't judge Thoreau, only marvel at his thought process and learn. And in the Kindle edition, so easy to carry around!
Published 26 days ago by george
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice
Thanks! Sorry I ordered it since it came in my Walden copy, but I hadn't noticed that. I will give it away I guess.
Published 1 month ago by Judy
3.0 out of 5 stars
An old world view of modern libertarianism.
While an interesting read, parts to me are difficult to follow due to writing style. Considering the time in which it was written, Thoreau was, I believe, a Libertarian. Read more
Published 1 month ago by JM
4.0 out of 5 stars
Definitely worth reading
The book is quite complicated and is a book to take your time with. I believe it would make a great book club discussion.
Published 1 month ago by average joe
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wishful thinking for 2013 American politics
I wonder what he would think about government today. president Obama is being blocked by house republicans solely
because he is Black.
because he is Black.
Published 2 months ago by caballo
2.0 out of 5 stars
Historical Context Only
Very dry read, but also very short. I read it to see why it inspired Martin Luther King Jr. so much. Read more
Published 2 months ago by B. M Phillip
5.0 out of 5 stars
great book
a classic, and a free book for kindle. can't beat that. everyone that owns a kindle should download these free classics!
Published 2 months ago by michiganshopper
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