Carl Bode brings together the best of Thoreau' s works in The Portable Thoreau, a comprehensive collection of the writings of a unique and p...
read full description
reviews
Jun 14, 2011
Barrett
rated it: 
Have to agree with E.B. White (author of Charlotte's Web, among other things) who once said that every high school senior should be given a copy of Walden upon graduation. Many of course will choose not to read it but for those who do, and make it through the slog that is the first chapter, Thoreau's timeless classic offers much wisdom on thoughtful living. Why thoughtful living? Because Walden is full of what of what buddhists refer to as the fire of attention. Each chapter, even the dreadful f
More...
Oct 17, 2011
Christopher
rated it: 
This was a very difficult book for me to read as there was too much going on. Thoreau had a wandering mind as well as body, and that comes out quite well in this collection of his works. Unfortunately, I don't like that sort of writing. It always felt like he was rambling and would never stick to one topic. While this is an admirable quality it is also frustrating. There were some interesting parts in this book. I particularly liked aspects of "Civil Disobedience," the chapter in Walde
More...
Jan 09, 2012
I just finished reading this wonderful work of American political though and history. Like all these old works that helped shape this country and laid the foundation of what it should be, these few pages are far beyond epic. He makes his contempt for the clearly hypocritical institutions of slavery, the Mexican American war and the eventual annexing of Texas, political corruption, taxation, revolution, as well as some political ideology that was and still is staining the fabric American society
More...
Jan 18, 2008
Jenna
rated it: 
I had never read anything by Thoreau before this book. I had, of course, heard of him, but I never had the desire to read what I perceived would be a long, dull book about the woods. I love nature, but I love being in nature not (or so I thought) reading about it. That said, Thoreau pleasantly surprised me; I actually really enjoyed reading these selections. Walden isn’t merely hundreds of pages describing a flower or stream; Thoreau places a lot of philosophy in his work. He stresses indiv
More...
Jun 16, 2011
Christy
rated it: 
I gave the book three stars, because I found myself getting angry at him through the course of the book, but while I may bot share all of his views, this book was very well written, and is very interesting to read. You will view our society much differently after this....
Jan 14, 2010
i want to learn the freedom and joy of solitude. I want to know the nature of this experience so that i may call upon its calming effects in the most crowded of places.
Mar 01, 2011
Scott
rated it:
always reading/...will most likely never stop. nice concise collection of the most important
Aug 23, 2010
Noel
rated it: 
I discovered that I only like Thoreau quotes, his work as a whole is a little boring.
Oct 31, 2008
I long for a society that shares Thoreau's philosophies! Simpler times, & less greedy, less materialistic people! I really enjoyed philosophy in college and I can't wait to make more time to read this book and others like it.
Sep 23, 2010
Nick
rated it:
Brilliant. Favorite sections include "Sounds" "Solitude" and Brute Neighbors (all from Walden. The conclusion is great too), as well as Civil Disobedience, and A Winter Walk
Anarchist, Naturalist, Individualist. A gem.
Anarchist, Naturalist, Individualist. A gem.
May 11, 2010
Aspasia
rated it:
Thoreau was ahead of his time in regards to environmental awareness but he has a tendency to go off on a tangent.
Jun 17, 2008
Heather
rated it:
I don't care if his mom snuck him sandwiches in the woods–he's my go to read.
Jan 07, 2008
Michael
rated it:
Where I lived and what I lived for........"What is a house but a Sedes?"
Feb 13, 2012
Feb 12, 2012
Feb 11, 2012
Feb 11, 2012
Feb 10, 2012
Feb 06, 2012
Feb 03, 2012
Jan 25, 2012
