Walden

Walden by Henry David Thoreau is a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings first published in 1854. The work is part personal declaration of independence, social experiment, voyage of spiritual discovery, satire, and to some degree, a manual for self-reliance. Walden details Thoreau's experiences over the course of his two years, two months, and two days living in a cabin that he personally built near the Walden Pond amidst some woodland land that owned by his friend and mentor Ralph Waldo Emerson, near Concord, Massachusetts. In this book, Thoreau makes precise scientific observations of nature as well as metaphorical and poetic uses of natural phenomena. This simple living book identifies many plants and animals by both their popular and scientific names, records in detail the color and clarity of the different bodies of water, precise dates that describes the freezing and thawing of the pond, and recounts his experiments to measure the depth and shape of the bottom of the supposedly "bottomless" Walden Pond. Walden is considered to be Henry David Thoreau's Masterpiece and has been read and adored by many for generations. Sneak Peak excerpts from the book: I should not obtrude my affairs so much on the notice of my readers if very particular inquiries had not been made by my townsmen concerning my mode of life, which some would call impertinent, though they do not appear to me at all impertinent, but, considering the circumstances, very natural and pertinent. Some have asked what I got to eat; if I did not feel lonesome; if I was not afraid; and the like. Others have been curious to learn what portion of my income I devoted to charitable purposes; and some, who have large families, how many poor children I maintained. I will therefore ask those of my readers who feel no particular interest in me to pardon me if I undertake to answer some of these questions in this book. In most books, the I, or first person, is omitted; in this it will be retained; that, in respect to egotism, is the main difference. We commonly do not remember that it is, after all, always the first person that is speaking. I should not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew as well. Unfortunately, I am confined to this theme by the narrowness of my experience. Moreover, I, on my side, require of every writer, first or last, a simple and sincere account of his own life, and not merely what he has heard of other men's lives; some such account as he would send to his kindred from a distant land; for if he has lived sincerely, it must have been in a distant land to me. Perhaps these pages are more particularly addressed to poor students. As for the rest of my readers, they will accept such portions as apply to them. I trust that none will stretch the seams in putting on the coat, for it may do good service to him whom it fits. * Original 1854 Book * 6 x 9 Inches * Matte Cover * White Paper We take every step possible to ensure the original integrity of this book has been upheld to its highest standard. This means that the texts in this story are unedited and unchanged from the original authors publication, preserving its earliest form for your indulgence. This title will make an excellent gift to the classic literature buff in your life or a fantastic addition to your current collection.