Walking (Penny Books)

by Henry David Thoreau, Penny Books (Editor)

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207 ratings, 4.29 average rating, 20 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		51%
4		31%
3		14%
2		2%
1		0%

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published

May 12th 2009 by Penny Books (first published 1988)

details

Kindle Edition

asin

B0029U1IWS

description

Thoreau's famous essay is the source of inspiration for the pages of this journal, with plenty of open space to record your inner journey as you walk …more

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Jul 02, 2008

J Dride rated it:

(review of isbn 1596058811)

"When sometimes I am reminded that the mechanics and shopkeepers stay in their shops not only all the forenoon, but all the afternoon too, sitting with crossed legs, so many of them -- as if the legs were made to sit upon, and not to stand or walk upon -- I think that they deserve some credit for not having all committed suicide long ago."

I usually read from this at least a few times a month. One of my all time favorite Thoreau pieces. His wit and critiques are spot on; as ...more

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Mar 02, 2009

Adeline rated it:

(review of isbn 1596058811)

Read in February, 2009

Henry David Thoreau, in his essay “Walking”, demonstrates both a deep connection to the natural world as well as an obvious notion about his own superiority in appreciating it. This pretension does not diminish his likability as a narrator, but it does call into question some of his romanticized notions of simple and rugged lifestyles. Thoreau's ruminations on the value and power of walking to distinguish true appreciators of nature from common travelers are tinged with a sense of nobility w...more Henry David Thoreau, in his essay “Walking”, demonstrates both a deep connection to the natural world as well as an obvious notion about his own superiority in appreciating it. This pretension does not diminish his likability as a narrator, but it does call into question some of his romanticized notions of simple and rugged lifestyles. Thoreau's ruminations on the value and power of walking to distinguish true appreciators of nature from common travelers are tinged with a sense of nobility which Thoreau seems to confer upon himself. Much as Thoreau appreciates and champions the value of wilderness, he is not as ready to become a farmer as he might like to think. Thoreau's appreciation of wild, dark, untrammeled forest throughout his narrative also marks him as someone who might not be suited to an undertaking whose very purpose is to tame the wild and produce by the hand of man.
The tone and subject of Thoreau's opening ruminations reveal much about his character. Thoreau immediately expresses his prejudices regarding man's ability to appreciate nature when he claims that he has “met with but one or two persons...who had a genius, so to speak, for sauntering” (71). It is implied that Thoreau believes himself to be in possession of this type of “genius”, and can practice the “noble art” (73) of walking quite well. The comparisons Thoreau makes between “Walkers” (73) and the nobility are eloquently put, but elitist nonetheless. Thoreau fancies that Walkers are of an “ancient and honorable class” (73) and explains that
No wealth can buy the requisite leisure, freedom, and independence which are capital in this profession. It comes only by the grace of God. It requires a direct dispensation from Heaven to become a walker. You must be born into the family of the Walkers. (73)

With this extraordinary pronouncement, Thoreau is declaring himself touched “by the grace of God” (73). This example of his unabashed egoism is one of many which, cumulatively, demonstrate how removed from the common farmer Thoreau really is. This is not to say that his egoism utterly disqualifies him from the art of farming, but it certainly demonstrates that he might be over romanticizing what it means to be a farmer.
An exceptionally well educated man, Thoreau delves into a discussion of the etymology and mythology of the word “saunter”, further separating him from a common farmer who would most likely have little education, particularly in the study of foreign languages. He enjoys musing that a man “sans terre” (72) is heading for the Holy land, and again Thoreau aligns himself with some higher power or calling. Thoreau's claim that he can't maintain his “health and spirits” (74), without spending “four hours a day, at least” (74) wandering in the outdoors says much about his situation in life. Only a person with a substantial degree of leisure time would be able to indulge in such a luxury; a man who farms for his living would tend not to have such freedoms. Were Thoreau to own a farm, he would need to spend nearly all of his time working his land.
Additionally, Thoreau displays a degree of insensitivity to the common working man. He seems unable to understand that some people have no real choice about their vocation. Thoreau expresses a disdain for “mechanics and shopkeepers” (74) who spend all their time inside without acknowledging that they may be trapped by their financial situations or familial obligations. As further evidence of Thoreau's high opinion of himself, he seems to think he is kind in declaring that “they deserve some credit for not having all committed suicide long ago” (75). Demonstrating his freedom of vocation again, Thoreau remarks that Walking, for him, is not a matter of exercise but “is itself the enterprise and adventure of the day” (77).
Thoreau next enters into an interesting discussion which compares and contrasts the farmer with the villager and the gentleman. Clearly, Thoreau is an opinionated man, and he throws out pronouncements at random; this is part of why he is so appealing to read. The immediacy of Thoreau's communication with the reader is always enjoyable. Thoreau remarks that “the callous palms of the laborer are conversant with finer tissues of self-respect and heroism” (78), and reveals what appeals to him about the life of a farmer. The self-made nature of a farmer appeals to Thoreau's romantic attitudes. The “callus of experience” (78) more than the actual process of farming seems to be what Thoreau seeks.
In another display of his intellectual wealth, Thoreau examines the meaning of villages and villagers. His conclusion is not a positive one; he connects the Latin derivation vilis to vile and villian as evidence of the “degeneracy villagers are liable to” (81). Villagers are “wayworn by the travel that goes by and over them, without traveling themselves” (81). This seems again like an insensitive evaluation of Thoreau's fellow men. The farmers that he so admires are probably quite dependent on the village and the villagers for company and resources which cannot be grown. Were Thoreau to become a farmer, he too would be dependent on the village and might not be so able to take such a haughty air.
Most contradictory to his farming inclinations are the observations of “man's improvements” (80) which Thoreau views with horror. To Thoreau, the clearing of land and the building of houses serve only to “deform the landscape, and make it more and more tame and cheap” (80). Surely Thoreau realizes that even the smallest and most primitive farm requires an alteration of the existing landscape, so this seems like a clear problem with his desire to farm. One of the most compelling images Thoreau presents is his description of a surveyor
looking after his bounds, while heaven had taken place around him, and he did not see the angels going to and fro, but was looking for an old post-hole in the midst of paradise... the Prince of Darkness was his surveyor. (80)

This is a clear example of how much Thoreau worships nature and sees it as a truly spiritual place. Nature is not just something pretty to be enjoyed, but something which can touch the soul on a deeper level. While it is possible to have a farm that does not interrupt the beauty of the landscape too greatly, it does nonetheless require some degree of surveying and modification of the environment.
Thoreau's utter respect and affection for the most wild and untouched landscapes also contradicts the essence of a farm. As mentioned earlier, the goal of a farm is to tame the land and make it lucrative. Not necessarily monetarily lucrative, but at the very least a farm must produce a harvest – otherwise it is just a field. Thoreau values land that is not developed by man for any purpose other than wild beauty above all else. For Thoreau, “how near to good is what is wild” (97). A farm is not wild, it is cultivated. Thoreau is most moved by “impermeable and unfathomable bog” (98) and seeks “the darkest wood, the thickest and more interminable, and, to the citizen, most dismal swamp” (100).
The opinion Thoreau has of farming is based on observations made from a distance, and because of this Thoreau has an overly romanticized idea of farm life. His perspective certainly is appealing, particularly when he says that “nothing can equal the serenity of their lives. Their coat of arms is simply a lichen” (117). But everything Thoreau has said about villagers, the meaning of walking, his own need for nature, and his worship of the wild would suggest that he might not be so suited to farming, despite what romantic notions he might have about it.
Thoreau expresses his opinions and observations with authority and passion. His view of farming, idyllic though it may be, is nonetheless at odds with nearly everything else he says. Thoreau is dismissive of the men who work in the village, and disdainful of any human development of the land. He wants to hike through wild bogs, not survey fields and labor in the sun. While Thoreau clearly has a deep respect for the farmer, he is not necessarily well suited to the enterprise himself. But then again, “who but the Evil One has cried, 'Whoa!' to mankind” (107)?
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Feb 12, 2009

Joseph rated it:

(review of isbn 1596058811)

bookshelves: books-i-live-by

Read in January, 2009

This book is not for everyone, but if you are the type of person who can pack lunch and head for the woods to lose your self and the "wonderful life" you will relate.

I read parts of this book weekly it is by my bed side.

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Mar 17, 2010

Audra added it (review of isbn 0062511130)

Owns a copy — Read in January, 2005

A lovely little pocket guide, perfect for fans of Thoreau or nature-y types. I'm never quite sure what to do with these kinds of books but someone must enjoy having a miniature library.

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Feb 14, 2009

Jim added it (review of isbn 1596058811)

A wounderful essay. It applies better to today I feel than it did when he wrote it.

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May 11, 2009

Bob rated it:

(review of isbn 1596058811)

Gratifying summary of why I walk by a fellow traveler

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Jun 13, 2008

Rachel rated it:

(review of isbn 1596058811)

A wonderful book on nature and walking in it as much as possible. One of my favorite quotes, "When sometimes I am reminded that the mechanics and shopkeepers stay in their shops not only all the forenoon, but all the afternoon, too, with crossed legs, so many of them - as if the legs were made to sit upon, and not to stand or walk upon - I think that they deserve some credit for not having committed suicide long ago."

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Sep 12, 2008

Frank rated it:

(review of isbn 1596058811)

Read in September, 2008

I guess this is interesting but I found it not to my taste. It has a lot of information world wide for that time frame. It talked a lot about the woods and walking in nature but didn't really talk about nature. I expected more of a link with nature and it seemed more talking about one should spend more time walking but didn't really go into walking; at least I didn't think he covered it well.

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May 24, 2008

Greg rated it:

(review of isbn 1599865866)

Read in February, 2008

This was my second reading of this short but brilliant book, one of my favorites. A great introduction to Thoreau if you haven't read any yet. A "Holy-Lander", one on a perpetual journey to the Holy Land, yet never arriving, Thoreau considered walking through woods and meadows vital to his existence. One of the great thinkers of this era.

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Aug 07, 2008

Adam rated it:

(review of isbn 1599865866)

bookshelves: currently-reading

I'm in BIG re-read phase of life right now and I'm feeling curious what my 34 yr old eyes have to say about some classics I read in my early 20's. I'm feeling Thoreau and Walking is a short read to ease back into him.... I will tackle Walden again after.

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Sep 03, 2008

James rated it:

(review of isbn 1596058811)

One of Thoreau's masterpieces. This has "Waldenlike" characteristics in that it is a journey of his thoughts through walking. You will love this if you love to go on hike or enjoying being outdoors. AWESOME AND QUICK READ!!

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Feb 06, 2008

gretta Starr rated it:

(review of isbn 1596058811)

i like walking. so does henry david thoreau. its cool to geek out over simple things with a dead dude. i find myself exclaiming things like "totally" and "yeah yeah yeah" while reading this. i fucking love walking and reading

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Oct 08, 2007

Monte rated it:

(review of isbn 0978653688)

Read in January, 1998

recommends it for: people who can read.

the home of what may be the most important idea our era could use - that "in wildness is the preservation of the world"

thoreau's later essays are positively searing and Walking is the essay that launches them.

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