Henry at Work by John Kaag - 3.5 stars (Subdue)

[Joy D]

Henry at Work: Thoreau on Making a Living by John Kaag and Jonathan van Belle - 3.5* - My Review

This book is part biography, part history, and part philosophy. The authors attempt to redeem Thoreau’s reputation. Apparently, he is viewed by some as a “layabout.” I have never heard this disparagement before. I had read Walden, but I guess you have to know more about Thoreau’s life to know these details. So, their premise did not quite resonate with me. Still, I gleaned a lot of interesting information about Thoreau’s life and the time in which he lived. It touches on his relationship with nature and abolitionism, but the primary focus is on his views about work (hence, the title). Thoreau’s viewpoint encourages people to live intentional lives, avoid getting caught up in the pursuit of material wealth, and seek out meaningful work. The authors point out that his views are relevant to today’s world, especially post-pandemic where people are resigning jobs that are not a good fit. It includes anecdotes from the authors’ interviews and experiences. I found it worthwhile.