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The Joys of Walking: Essays by Hilaire Belloc, Charles Dickens, Henry David Thoreau, and Others
"In wildness is the preservation of the world," noted Henry David Thoreau, whose famous epigram arose in "Walking," his meditation on the relationship between civilization and nature. The great American poet and philosopher's essay appears in this footloose compilation, a celebration of the freedom to roam, stroll, strut, and wander.
These reflections by distinguished writers range far and wide, from the hills and valleys of Thoreau's native New England to the shadowy streets and bridges of Charles Dickens’s nighttime London. In "Traveling Afoot," John Finley reminisces about memorable walks across the Scottish moors, around the riverbanks of Manhattan, and through the French countryside on the eve of the First World War. Max Beerbohm, in "Going Out for a Walk," laments being coaxed away from his comfortable armchair, and Christopher Morley confesses his passion for people-watching in "Sauntering." Other contributors include William Hazlitt, George Gissing, Hilaire Belloc, and Leslie Stephen. Charming woodcut illustrations complement the text.
These reflections by distinguished writers range far and wide, from the hills and valleys of Thoreau's native New England to the shadowy streets and bridges of Charles Dickens’s nighttime London. In "Traveling Afoot," John Finley reminisces about memorable walks across the Scottish moors, around the riverbanks of Manhattan, and through the French countryside on the eve of the First World War. Max Beerbohm, in "Going Out for a Walk," laments being coaxed away from his comfortable armchair, and Christopher Morley confesses his passion for people-watching in "Sauntering." Other contributors include William Hazlitt, George Gissing, Hilaire Belloc, and Leslie Stephen. Charming woodcut illustrations complement the text.
- GenresNonfictionEssays
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 4, 2020
Essays about walking. Some.good, some not so good. I wouldn't read it again. I'd rather go for a walk.
November 20, 2014
I am glad to have read this series of extracts and essays, partly because they take the reader into the pleasureable state which is the 'walker's mindset', but also for their historical perspective. For example, Charles Dickens writing about 'tramps' concerns an aspect of British social history not seen at the present day. Unfortunately, some aspects of Dickens' attitudes still remain!
In many cases, the writing style is rather dated, especially for someone used to later 20th century travel writing - and I pretty well gave up on Henry David Thoreau: I had great trouble tracing his train of thought from one paragraph to the next, but maybe that's just me.
In many cases, the writing style is rather dated, especially for someone used to later 20th century travel writing - and I pretty well gave up on Henry David Thoreau: I had great trouble tracing his train of thought from one paragraph to the next, but maybe that's just me.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews