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Walden Paperback – December 27, 2013

by Henry David Thoreau (Author)

1,132 customer reviews

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Written by noted Transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau, Walden is part personal declaration of independence, social experiment, voyage of spiritual discovery, satire, and manual for self-reliance. Published in 1854, it details Thoreau's experiences over the course of two years in a cabin he built near Walden Pond, amidst woodland owned by his friend and mentor Ralph Waldo Emerson, near Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau did not intend to live as a hermit, for he received visitors regularly, and returned their visits. Rather, he hoped to isolate himself from society to gain a more objective understanding of it. Simple living and self-sufficiency were Thoreau's other goals, and the whole project was inspired by transcendentalist philosophy, a central theme of the American Romantic Period. As Thoreau made clear in his book, his cabin was not in wilderness but at the edge of town, about two miles (3 km) from his family home. Thoreau's intention during his time at Walden Pond was "to conduct an experiment: Could he survive, possibly even thrive, by stripping away all superfluous luxuries, living a plain, simple life in radically reduced conditions?" He thought of it as an experiment in "home economics". Although Thoreau went to Walden to escape what he considered, "over-civilization", and in search of the "raw" and "savage delight" of the wilderness, he also spent considerable amounts of his time reading and writing. Thoreau spent nearly four times as long on the Walden manuscript as he actually spent at the cabin. He went through eight different drafts over the course of almost ten years.[5] Walden was a moderate success when it was first published in 1854. It sold well and was received favorably among reviewers. After Walden's publication, Thoreau saw his time at Walden as nothing more than an experiment. He never took seriously "the idea that he could truly isolate himself from others." Without resolution, Thoreau used "his retreat to the woods as a way of framing a reflection on both what ails men and women in their contemporary condition and what might provide relief."

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-Henry David Thoreau's classic, first published in 1854 and reporting on his experiences at the eponymous site where he lived in physical and social independence during the mid-1840's, receives refreshing treatment here. William Hope reads leisurely but with feeling, offering listeners the illusion that the author is speaking directly to them. The abridgements are not substantive, so listeners will feel that they have become acquainted with the complexities of a text that is both orderly and sprinkled with irony and other literary devices. The chapters are tastefully set off by musical interludes that complement Thoreau's own rhythms. Not only is this an excellent alternative for students assigned to read the text that is often offered in tiny print without benefit of margins, but it is also possible to suggest this to thoughtful teens who are seeking an intellectually engaging listening experience for their personal enjoyment. Hope's pacing invites readers with minimal skills to accompany their print foray with his narration. The careful editing here assures that they will not become lost between page and sound.
Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

From Library Journal

Walden's original publisher releases an annotated edition to celebrate the book's 150th anniversary.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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Product details

Paperback: 206 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 27, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1494812509
ISBN-13: 978-1494812508
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1,132 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,782 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #115 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Nature Writing & Essays
- #117 in Books > Literature & Fiction > United States > Anthologies
- #120 in Books > Literature & Fiction > United States > Classics

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Customer Reviews

1,132

4.3 out of 5 stars

5 star		65%
4 star		14%
3 star		9%
2 star		4%
1 star		8%

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Top Customer Reviews

Review of ANNOTATED EDITION, not of Thoreau's work

ByMonarchMomon November 27, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Review of ANNOTATED EDITION, not of Thoreau's work. Potentially great idea. Many of the annotations were superficial or unnecessary, although others helpful. Biggest problem with this is the printer's layout, which has two careless oversights: size and position on page. Two pages of text have been squeezed onto a single page (to allow the side-by-side commentary), resulting in tiny print. Tough on anyone over 40. Then, the printer left wide margins on the *outside* of the page, and squeezed Thoreau's text into the binding. Really foolish use of the available space.

The result is something that could have been fascinating being just plain awkward and unsatisfying to handle and read.

0Comment 12 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

I'd like the WHOLE book, please.

ByLlamaon March 13, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

"Even the Chinese philosopher was wise enough to regard the individual as the basis of the empire."

That is the sentence missing from the 45th (final) paragraph of Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience." Here I am, reading aloud in class, when suddenly I am interrupted with the report that I skipped a sentence in the text. No, I did not skip a sentence ... it simply wasn't there.

When I buy a book, for a dollar or fifty dollars, I want the entire book. I will be requesting a refund, and deleting this version from my Kindle, before more omissions are brought to light at my expense.

11 comment 33 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

LESS government is MORE

ByRoberto Rigolin Ferreira Lopeson July 20, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

We are in 1849, Thoreau is not happy with his government; a war is going on + he went to jail for not paying taxes (Remember Walden? The man counted every shilling). This essay, therefore, is defending that LESS government is MORE, the State must recognize the individual as independent and as the source of its power + authority. Of course, if you are thought-free, fancy-free, imagination-free, no unwise government can stop you (reusing his own words; surely is reference to himself).

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One of the greatest works of American literature...and one that will change your life.

ByBill Bakeron September 17, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I have read this a number of times and still it holds up as one of the greatest works of literature written certainly by an American and perhaps one of top 100 works of literature ever written.

In college, my professor noted, 'This book will change your life!' He was right.

0Comment 9 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

It will not take you long to read and you will be happy you did.

BypmXon June 17, 2012

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Here is a fiery and direct book or rather, a long essay. They should certainly be teaching this in high school civics classes (as soon as they restore the practice of teaching civics in public school.)

Thoreau wrote this in opposition to slavery and the Mexican War but it is full of parallels and lessons for us today. Most especially useful and relevant is his tracing of the responsibility, that those who vote, share for the atrocities committed by those they vote for.

If you vote in a corrupt society, Thoreau makes you a murderer, a rapist, a thief. I could not agree more and was happy to find this herein. He does not simply advocate a boycotting of the vote, however, but calls for the revolutionary overthrow of corrupt society, through the direct action and resistance of those who are just.

There is no "lesser evil" or middle ground in Thoreau's worldview. You are just, and you are actively working to overthrow the system, or you are evil.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It will take you only a few hours to read it and it will embed itself in the foundations of your political reasoning.

Though the Anarchists claim Thoreau, I think he would have favored Marx to Bakunin.

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Thoreau

ByRobert G. Shaveron February 28, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Civil Disobedience written during saber rattling with Mexico and the country’s concern over the abolition of slavery in 1848 it is as relevant today as it has ever been, as it transcends space and time.
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. "Any man more right than his neighbors constitutes a majority of one ".
Other gems:
I heartily accept the motto “That government is best which governs least or not at all”
Man has a conscience (not government) we should be Men first and subjects second.
Current political thought could use the purity, consistency and clarity that were second nature to thinkers near the American Revolution
The government never started any enterprise; it does not keep the country free. It did not settle the West. It does not educate. The chapter of the American people accomplished it all. I would have done more if the government got out of the way.
Today we are faced with some of the same issues about control. The Government takes our labor (money) and decides who and what wars to fight and how to spend the rest with or with our consent.
It is a book about convections of a man’s right and wrong (not government) and the fight for injustice.

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Just lovely.

Definately a good addition to my collection, as I will probably read it a couple more times.Read more

Published 16 hours ago by Donald P.

it looks great on our shelf

The book cover is so cute, it looks great on our shelf!Read more

Published 3 days ago by Madelyne W.

Awesome Book!

The book is a classic. Simply amazing! I wish they would have been more careful with the packaging. The binding arrived damaged.Read more

Published 10 days ago by Amazon Customer

Inner and Outer Observations

Thoreau knew himself and nature in intimate and spiritual terms in his writing of WALDEN. I, consequently know myself and nature better
through my many readings of WALDEN.Read more

Published 12 days ago by jerry mcwilliams

Tiny Book, Tiny Print

There needs to be a bold and capital lettered disclosure right up front that is is a tiny book with time print which may be convenient to carry around , but is difficult to...Read more

Published 14 days ago by Christopher Wenshen Pong

ZZZZZZ

It was so boring I couldn't get past the third chapter.Read more

Published 21 days ago by LI Fireman

Good book

Good book Read more

Published 1 month ago by Jason

Good Read

It was a good read considering when it was written.Read more

Published 1 month ago by Bruce Senti

Five Stars

If you love philosophy and original view of the world, then this book is for you.Read more

Published 1 month ago by Liudmila

Now a Thoreau fan

Great read, found it a little hard at times . So much is applicable to modern society of today. Made me do a lot of thinking about how I want to live my life.Read more

Published 1 month ago by Natasha Day

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