Walden

Life in the Woods

By: Henry David Thoreau

Narrated by: Alec Sand

Thoreau's classic account of the solitary life, describing his attempts to simplify his life and sort out his priorities by living alone in a cabin beside Walden Pond for nearly two years, is one of the most influential books ever written. The bible of the environmental movement, Walden vividly portrays Thoreau's reverence for nature, and his understanding of the idea that nature is made up of crucially interrelated parts.Public Domain (P)2006 Trout Lake Media

Long and dry

As a nature lover, I felt compelled to listen to this book but I struggled to complete it. I did pull some nuggets of wisdom out of it though.

A man ahead of his time

It still surprises me that this was written in 1854. This man had a keen perception of the trials and faults of his society which are just as apparent today. His ideas of living simply, conflicts with consumerism, not being in debt to anyone, not having to work the youth of your life to enjoy the small bit of retirement at the end are things I have always grappled with. The way he describes the simple pleasures of life can really make you appreciate all you have that had yet to even be invented in his time.

Another book it reminded me of was Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire. Another story of a man in the wild largely by himself. The beauty of nature and the human experience is found in both these novels.

The narrator talks like how I think someone would sound from that time period and you can feel his angst and appreciation bring to life Henry David Thoreau's words. People had reviewed that they didn't like his narration, so listen to the preview as it maybe not to everyone's taste. I did enjoy it very much.

Amazing book. Starts out relatively slow describing the cost and process to build his cabin, with some interesting, although seemingly irrelevant tangents thrown in. By living essentially alone, it becomes very introspective and wondering. So it is very philosophical in that nature and I find some of his words quite enlightening. I am excited to finish this book.

A classic for the young of mind and poetic of heart

Listen to this book. If you are tired, and looking for the type of voice to reach out and grab you, you've found it

Ispiring

Some of the most beautifully constructed sentences I have ever read! Walden is an ode to the beauty of nature and yet a sad reflection when read with the state of contemporary consumerism in mind.

Reflection in time

It is amazing to see the similarities In Thorough's life and his perspective. Compared to our day and time. 150 years later we are still fighting the same struggle.