There is precious little to be experienced by today's adventurers who may wish to follow Thoreau's routes through New England places. That is if todayThere is precious little to be experienced by today's adventurers who may wish to follow Thoreau's routes through New England places. That is if today's adventurers want to find the pure and pristine nature Thoreau looked for, the "wildness" that nature offered. It's there but it may be tougher to find. Tom Slayton's book discusses this and the changes we encounter as civilization moves along, changes Thoreau himself expected and predicted....more
While everyone seems to have an opinion about who Henry David Thoreau was, Lawrence Buell makes sure that we can understand that he may have been "allWhile everyone seems to have an opinion about who Henry David Thoreau was, Lawrence Buell makes sure that we can understand that he may have been "all of the above" so to speak. He was a political activist, a natural scientist, a writer, a philosopher, a lecturer, a pencil maker, a tiny house builder, and many more. The big issue seems to be whether Thoreau at some point gave up the life of a transcendentalist seeker and resolved to be student of nature in his later days. Perhaps that wasn't the case. He maintained his search for higher truths throughout his life, no matter what project he had going at any particular time....more
This collection is excellent. I was quite fond of the chapter on "Fate". Emerson's wisdom is timeless.This collection is excellent. I was quite fond of the chapter on "Fate". Emerson's wisdom is timeless....more
This is mostly a history book. It's a good one. Its focus is Concord, Massachusetts, a town I know fairly well. I was delighted, as any Thoreauvian, wThis is mostly a history book. It's a good one. Its focus is Concord, Massachusetts, a town I know fairly well. I was delighted, as any Thoreauvian, with the last chapter which discusses Walden, Thoreau's masterpiece of meaning and practice trying to explain how transcendentalism can be more than a philosophy but rather a way of life. ...more
People forget how deeply Thoreau thought about things. They also forget how he believed that experience was a great teacher. He called his experience People forget how deeply Thoreau thought about things. They also forget how he believed that experience was a great teacher. He called his experience at Walden Pond his "experiment", as if to put it into scientific terms. Author Philip Cafaro says, "Thoreau insists that only by trying our ideals in life can we find out whether they are good ideals; only by trying unconventional paths can we know whether they are better than the more conventional ones". (p.223) I had forgotten what a good book this is. I had read it years ago, and only came back to it recently. I'm glad I did....more
As history and culture evolved in the 19th century so did its philosophers. Ralph Waldo Emerson is no exception. He understood the growth of the AmeriAs history and culture evolved in the 19th century so did its philosophers. Ralph Waldo Emerson is no exception. He understood the growth of the American republic and its influence on the individual. He understood the concurrences and the contradictions. He understood what needed to be said, and he published it. You have to admire such a thinker....more
Using Thoreau's words from published writings as well as journals Howarth presents an inviting look at outdoor life as it plays out in Thoreau's tripsUsing Thoreau's words from published writings as well as journals Howarth presents an inviting look at outdoor life as it plays out in Thoreau's trips to the mountains of New England. I felt as if I were right there with him hiking to those mountain tops....more
This is a deeper treatment of Thoreau's contribution to American thought, covering his major writings and his philosophy. I really enjoyed reading thiThis is a deeper treatment of Thoreau's contribution to American thought, covering his major writings and his philosophy. I really enjoyed reading this....more
Balance is served. According to this author Thoreau found ways to be objective that would not damage his subjectivity, and vice versa. He knew the difBalance is served. According to this author Thoreau found ways to be objective that would not damage his subjectivity, and vice versa. He knew the difference between being as an integral part of nature and still found ways to stand apart from it. Thoreau could be both poet and scientist, bridging the gap between idealism and factual reality. I like that....more
It seems to me that while perceptions of Thoreau's life and contributions vary greatly and even create opposing opinions it's important to digest it aIt seems to me that while perceptions of Thoreau's life and contributions vary greatly and even create opposing opinions it's important to digest it all and find a kind of balance that Thoreau himself tried to find. Life is not to be understood as living in a cabin in the woods among the trees and the birds. Not is it to be lived in the consumerist treadmill of materialism and superficiality. We need balance....more
This delightful book is a collection of passages gleaned from Thoreau's journals. Here is a favorite quote....."Surely the most important part of an aThis delightful book is a collection of passages gleaned from Thoreau's journals. Here is a favorite quote....."Surely the most important part of an animal is its anima, its vital part - on which is based it character, and all its peculiarities by which it most concerns us." (p. 231, from February 18, 1860)...more
This book is part history of the 19th century from the perspective of the transcendentalists and part literary commentary of their major works. My favThis book is part history of the 19th century from the perspective of the transcendentalists and part literary commentary of their major works. My favorite sections were the failure of the Brook Farm experiment, the life and death of Margaret Fuller, the abolitionist activities (including the Anthony Burns episode), and the life and writings of Henry David Thoreau. ...more
This is a refreshing treatment of Thoreau and his work, refreshing to me at least. It pre-dates most of the books I have read about him (1949). It's qThis is a refreshing treatment of Thoreau and his work, refreshing to me at least. It pre-dates most of the books I have read about him (1949). It's quite well-done and well written. It is not a biography: it is an analysis and discussion of Thoreau the "poetic proseman...for whom living was the reception and communication of thoughts." (p. 233) I like that....more
I really liked this book. It explains, analyzes, and documents everything at higher level. I especially like the sections on spiritual life, solitude,I really liked this book. It explains, analyzes, and documents everything at higher level. I especially like the sections on spiritual life, solitude, contemplation, simple living, and journal writing. Transcendentalism teaches a different and deeper perspective on life....more
It's always a joy to read Thoreau's journal entries. This collection is quite a thrill, especially the sections on "ideas" and "essays".It's always a joy to read Thoreau's journal entries. This collection is quite a thrill, especially the sections on "ideas" and "essays"....more
In an age when someone can become a "friend" with the click of a computer key this book brings back the full force and true meaning of the intimacy ofIn an age when someone can become a "friend" with the click of a computer key this book brings back the full force and true meaning of the intimacy of friendship. It's not a shallow engagement in virtual reality but something much deeper, as Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson testify in their correspondence, journal entries, and formal writings. Jeffrey Cramer allows us to develop our awareness of their friendship directly with this collection. As a result, it becomes an organic, fluid, and very important aspect of the relationship between these two writers....more
What is the best way to elevate one's soul using transcendentalist philosophy....in a commune with like-minded folks, or alone in the woods near a ponWhat is the best way to elevate one's soul using transcendentalist philosophy....in a commune with like-minded folks, or alone in the woods near a pond with only the natural world as company? Perhaps a bit of both or even a third way would be best. Whatever, this author explores the concepts and the thinking behind each experiment. The utopian communes at Brook Farm and Fruitlands did not survive. On the other hand the Walden "community of one" did survive, if only in the pages of a literary masterpiece. ...more
Even though I have read these passages before in other publications it is always good to review Thoreau's words, his thoughts, his wisdom. I never seeEven though I have read these passages before in other publications it is always good to review Thoreau's words, his thoughts, his wisdom. I never seem to get enough of Thoreau....more
A very original treatment of the inspiration Thoreau has on today's environmentalists and artists. Even though I must take issue with some of his analA very original treatment of the inspiration Thoreau has on today's environmentalists and artists. Even though I must take issue with some of his analogies, especially the ones near the end, it is a book worth reading....more
Did Thoreau like people or not? This author tackles the question with scholarship. Henry David Thoreau was a complex man of emotional contradictions aDid Thoreau like people or not? This author tackles the question with scholarship. Henry David Thoreau was a complex man of emotional contradictions and conflicts, one who needed human relationships but also was apt to find criticisms of human inconsistencies and foibles. Many of us are like this. He wrote about his feelings and insights, and that is why we know him so well....more
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