A Year in Thoreau's Journal: 1851 (Penguin Classics) [Paperback]

Henry David Thoreau (Author), H. Daniel Peck (Introduction)

Book Description

Series: Penguin Classics | Publication Date: December 1, 1993

From 1837 to 1861 Henry David Thoreau kept a journal that began as a conventional record of ideas, grew into a writer's notebook, and eventually became the principal imaginative work of his career. The source of much of his published writing, the journal is also a record of both his interior life and his monumental studies of the natural history of his native Concord, Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (December 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140390855
• ISBN-13: 978-0140390858
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #791,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Introduction to Thoreau's Journals, June 17, 2000

By 

Nick Perdiew (CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Year in Thoreau's Journal: 1851 (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Many readers exposure to Thoreau's published self-contained books like _Walden_ and _The Maine Woods_ are intrigued enough to look deeper. Inevitably, you end up with the Journals.

The journals are so long and copious, that it can be hard to decide where to start. I don't know off-hand how many pages or words there are, but there are enough of Thoreau's Journals out there to last you 3 to 5 years of reading.

So! You should buy this starter book to introduce you to the flavor of the Journals. If you also read some of the Biographies out there, you learn that Thoreau's life went through some distinct periods, which will be reflected in the different Journals. Many folks think 1851 was a magic and expanding year for him, and that's why this book follows this year alone.

My only complaint about the book using this time frame is that it sort of Pornographically selects from all the years of the Journals--and pornographically selects from 1851. As if all T's days were charmed, all rich with experience.

But the Journal selections excerpted here and this book as a whole have many good qualities that outway my only complaint. They are:

1.--This book follows a year, and T was very much influenced by the seasons. Coming full circle in a year with T is good reading.

2.--The book doesn't try to do too much. If an Introduction book does its job, it should leave you wanting more deep info on the subject. This book did that for me.

3.--There are a couple-few cool replications of drawings T did in his journal. Bonus points for these.

Overall, the subject material here is awesome. If you only know Thoreau through his published "books" and if you like them (especially the naturalist part of them), the Journals will change your world. This book does a solid good job of introducing you to the Journals.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best way to experience his journals, September 30, 2007

By 

anemones (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Year in Thoreau's Journal: 1851 (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Henry David Thoreau's journal is his masterpiece, and somewhat different to his more polished works.

This is by far the best way to experience his journal, too. Short excerpted collections are problematic because you cannot get used to the flow of his writing, and the changing nature of it over the lifespan of the journal. This book, which is the full year of 1851, may contain less-than-stellar entries, but it also contains some rippers, and is definitely the best way to experience it. It was about this time in his life that Thoreau decided to stop using his journal just as a source for his other books, and rather to create it for its own sake. And it shows - this is not writing to be chopped up and excerpted, but to be enjoyed in its entirety.

The best possible introduction to the masterpiece of his life - 5 stars.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glorious!, July 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A Year in Thoreau's Journal: 1851 (Penguin Classics) (Paperback)

Thoreau's journals are an insight into the man who thrived on simplicity. This book captures the years in which he was making his final revisions on "Waldon." His journal reflects his masterpiece and his book is then reflected back into his journal writings. If you are at all interested in Thoreau's writings, this is a needed companion to understand such a brilliant mind.