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Thoreau On Freedom: Selected Writings of Henry David Thoreau

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In his introduction, editor Jeffrey Cramer tells us that of the more than 2 million words that Thoreau wrote in his journal, "less than twenty thousand are on the subject of slavery." Cramer has compiled an extraordinary collection of such writings in this book. In the first half of the book, we find Thoreau's eloquence on the immorality and injustice of slavery, his reproachment of the State of Massachusetts for justifying its expedient use of the Fugitive Slave Law, and his disgust with the majority of citizens who do nothing to act on their convictions. Thoreau's belief that individual action can make a difference is constant throughout his writings here and of course, emblematic of his own life. "It is not important that many should be as good as you, as that there be some absolute goodness somewhere; for that will leaven the whole lump."

In the second half of the book, Cramer includes Thoreau's writings on the broader concept of individual freedom, including the ability to be free from material comforts and societal expectations. It is here that we experience Thoreau's comfort with nature and his urging us to do the same.

I highly recommend this book.

Jeffrey S. Cramer's thoughtful compilation of primary source writings shows the complex and fascinating development of Thoreau's penetrating reflections on freedom, both political and personal. Vivid autobiographical accounts of Thoreau's activism within the Abolitionist Movement are juxtaposed with his more philosophical and poetical writings on the most timely topic of freedom. In the current, reactive political context of endangered personal rights, this book gives us much to ponder today. Thoreau's writings, along with the thought-provoking introduction of Thoreau scholar Jeffrey Cramer, are pertinent and, as always, passionate.

For everyone who has equated Thoreau's name with nature writing, this little book promises a big surprise. Thoreau's thoughts on freedom, as collected and distilled here, provoke us to re-examine the meaning of the word -- for society and for the individual. Once again, Thoreau stretches our minds in ways never imagined. Penetrating, timeless, and sometimes revelatory. The editor's introduction is worth the price of the book alone.

Don't let the small size of this book fool you! An excellent collection of and discussion of Thoreau's writings on freedom, both political and spiritual, on slavery, on the Fugitive Slave Act, and on the abolitionist John Brown. The very valuable introduction by the editor, Jeffrey Cramer, Curator of Collections at the Thoreau Institute at Walden Woods, places these writings in the context of the times and in the context of Throeau's larger corpus. A foreword by Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and the Director of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for nonviolence, reminds us of the international and the modern significance of these writings. Altogether, the book is highly recommended for anyone interested in Thoreau, the struggle against slavery in mid-nineteenth century America, the political dimension of New England transcendentalism, as well as the interplay between political, spiritual and moral freedom in Thoreau's writings and the writings of transcendentalism.