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4.17 of 5 stars
The library of America is dedicated to publishing America's best and most significant writing in handsome, enduring volumes, featuring authoritativ... read full description

reviews

Nov 11, 2010
David rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I just read Walden from this compilation of Thoreau’s writing, but I skimmed the rest. I’ve heard Thoreau quoted so many times throughout my life, and have never picked up one of his books. I think Walden is probably his most well-known work, and therefore, a good place to start. He has good insights for the reader and has a way of bringing a thought to a concise statement to get his point across.

He lives out in the woods for 2 years, and in that time, builds a house, plants a field More...
May 12, 2010
Ty rated it: 4 of 5 stars
i enjoyed it deeply, but there were times i felt he rambled on and on and on...almost getting stuck on a particular subject----at certain times i wanted to tell him to shut up. but i also came to realize that the rambling may be necessary for "city folks" ,who have not had the fortune to spend time outdoors or the southern folks who have never lived though a northern winter. but also, there were times that i could not stop reading ......he had my full attention and imagination. it was More...
Nov 10, 2009
Hannah rated it: 1 of 5 stars
Thoreau is a very intellectual man with beautiful naturalistic beliefs that he incorporates into his descriptive books. However, over 300 pages of describing a week on the river is a bit much for me, personally speaking. Thoreau had wonderful points to make about Nature, but trashing the other religions for an entire chapter was a bit harsh. Cape Cod was much better and easier because there was actual dialogue, but Thoreau remains one of the hardest authors I've ever read. Sometimes I like chall More...
Dec 04, 2008
Edified rated it: 3 of 5 stars
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Sep 16, 2011
Elizabeth added it
Cape Cod and Walden are my personal favorites. A Week of the Concord and Merrimack Rivers will take you some time to trudge through, but then you'll be finished and you'll start Walden and life will be grand again!
Aug 09, 2011
Jay added it
Yawn. Vomit. Terrible. Apart from a few interesting aphorisms and neat-o classical references, this book is a colossal waste of time from a pantheistic nature worshipper.
Dec 29, 2009
Daniel rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I realized that I'm not rereading Walden, but that I'm always reading Walden.
Jul 10, 2009
Sarah is currently reading it
So far, seriously loving Walden.
Feb 06, 2008
Erin rated it: 1 of 5 stars
I call Shenanigans! You barely ever lived in the woods! It wasn't even the real woods, it was property of Ralph Waldo Emerson. You had so many parties on Walden Pond you were almost never alone! In jail for tax evasion! Neck-bearded Blueblood, I can't believe in you.
Apr 22, 2008
Chuck rated it: 5 of 5 stars
thoreau is one of my favorite authors. thoreau's take on the world only becomes more applicable over time. i particulary dig "civil disobedience", "life without principle", and "walking".
Feb 11, 2008
Michelle rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I have to read Walden every so often. This essay shaped my thinking and also reminds me of a hilarious class trip to Concord and Walden Pond in 1983.
Nov 09, 2008
Parapraxis rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Thoreau embodies the potential greatness of the "American spirit." Too bad the world has completely ignored his sage example.
Oct 22, 2008
Shawn marked it as to-read
Same with Emerson. I read Walden in HS. Would like to give it a new look with grown up eyes.
Nov 15, 2007
Zina rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Best book ever written, not the easiest to read but poetically intoxicating.
Oct 23, 2007
Steve rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I've read all these a few times, well worth it
Feb 12, 2012
Vampire-lk marked it as to-read
Feb 12, 2012
Jordan rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Feb 11, 2012
K.j. rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Feb 11, 2012
Shwallinbballin marked it as to-read
Feb 11, 2012
Kevin rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 11, 2012
Stephen rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 08, 2012
Christopher rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 08, 2012
Ahmed rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 08, 2012
Taryn rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 07, 2012
Jeremy rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Feb 07, 2012
Grant rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Feb 06, 2012
Dawn rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 06, 2012
Amy rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 06, 2012
Abkins rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Feb 05, 2012
Alpheus rated it: 5 of 5 stars