The Portable Thoreau (Penguin Classics)

Really just wanted to turn back time to when I read Civil Disobedience and Waldens Pond back in high school. Wound up getting a wonderful anthology of Thoreau that has taken a prominent place in my life again. The "portable" part should come with a disclaimer; I can barely cram it into my coat pocket and it lQQks rather odd tucked into my waistband. He still makes so much sense, and yet, the mainstream folks will never buy into his straight forward sensibility. He threatens their power structure built on taxes and politics, so his ideas will never fly. Damn glad to have the book though!It's a keeper!

I ordered this collection, a bit apprehensive that somewhere they cut corners to all these Thoreau writings in one, affordable book. However, I was presently surprised that the binding, paper, print and font are all top quality. A great addition to one's library and a very quick way to add multiple Thoreau works without breaking the bank or giving up quality. Kudos to the publisher.

I have been reading a hard cover edition of this great book for many years, over and over. It is a collection of some of Thoreau's best work. I left my hard copy in the mid-west by accident, so I just ordered up this one and already have broken the binding. I have been reading Thoreaus so long I do not remember if he had a great impact on my life or if he just speaks to already existing values. Either way, I believe he was one of our three greatest 19th century writers, along with Twain and Lincoln.

This 700 page compendium of Thoreau's works contains a couple "must haves", in "Walden" and "Civil Disobedience". These two works by Thoreau have stood the test of time with their readability, influence and insight into the man and his philosophies. The other works in the book, including excerpts from his Journals, "A Yankee in Canada", "Walking" and his poetry provide the reader with the breadth and intricate detail in Thoreau's writing style - especially as it pertained to his interactions with Nature. The brilliance of his descriptions bring the images to life, and allow the reader insights into a Massachusetts countryside of 175 years ago as if it were yesterday. The message is beautiful, timeless, and vivid. If you have never been exposed to Thoreau, the writings here are the critical introduction, and the editor's commentaries are excellent background and insights. A good addition to your reading list.

I read Walden as a kid in the seventies, and it has instilled in me a streak of hippie that I cherish. As I get older and reread his works, I understand how much his ideas are a part of our American identity. He would be very comfortable in today's libertarian political environment, I think, with his "that government is best which governs least" beliefs. His love of nature is inspiring, and his faith in the power of determination has either empowered me or made me insufferable, depending on where you stand. I love Emerson, too, but Thoreau speaks to me.

One of the Best books I could find of Henry David Thoreau's works. The Introduction is a must read! It not only gives a detailed account of Thoreau's life, but a rather remarkable explanation and examination of his writings.

This was part of a core "library" that I've given each of my children as they go off to college. They may not read it this week or this year, but someday it might provide valuable perspective, as it has me.

It is in tune with the training I am going through. It is also helping to mitigate the loss I have recently experienced.

Great

What can I say. I'm a follower of Henry David Thoreau. This is my bible.

I thought this guy was really far ahead of his time. I think he was born sometime in the 1800's. This collection is great value for money as it has his most popular works like "Walking" and "Civil Disobedience". I think that essay "Walking" had an influence on Chris McCandles(The guy Sean Penn made that "Into the Wild" movie about) and "Civil Disobedience" had a big influence on the likes of Ghandhi and Martin Luther King. Definitely good value. If you like thinking about stuff and you feel like a bit of a missfit sometimes and feel society is a bit bizarre and hard to fathom, if you love escaping into the diminishing woodlands and tramping through mountains and fields and feeling soothed and content in the solitude of nature then you will really appreciate certain writings in this book. In fairness though, I think this guy must have had plenty of cash to be sitting around all day thinking about stuff and writing when others no doubt had to struggle to survive. Still though, some nice content here. Enjoy.

If you are considering buying this collection of Thoreau's writing you are most likely already familiar with the tone and literary style of the material included. Therefore just a quick word on the actual physical book. Just about small enough to considered truly portable, fairly robust card cover and binding to withstand being jostled in your backpack on route to your cabin retreat. Alas the paper quality, as with 99 percent of modern paperbacks is average. The contents however are still provoking and relevant in todays techno world and very well worth the modest cover price.