Walden

Life in the Woods

By: Henry David Thoreau

Narrated by: Alec Sand

Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

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

This Narration Brings Thoreau to Life

I think Henry David Thoreau gets lumped into a stuffy, "existentialist" group of writers that are just enough absorbed in themselves to be appealing to no one. Reading Walden two years ago made Thoreau seem stiff and unexciting to me. But narrator Alec Sand brought Thoreau and Walden to life. Here is Henry, the semi-jaded, standoffish nature-lover who, while examining the "crystalline structures" of ice forming on Walden's shores during the winter, is also wanted for refusing to pay the poll tax of a "Government of slaves". Sand reads Thoreau in a way that brings out the best and most grating parts of one of America's great writers and thinkers. Thoreau was right about so many things - and Sand narrates them in a way that make you think "man, this Thoreau was kind of self-righteous". But after 5 years spent living alone in the woods and going to jail for your beliefs - anyone would develop a clipped tone of righteousness. Or, in my opinion, the clipped tone of one whom has spent a lifetime trying to get himself "right". And if the reader/listener can't respect that, they can build their own cabin on their own Walden.

Great book!

Better brush up on the Greek Classics before tackle this book if you really want to understand it. Really enjoyed it.

I see why this is a literary classic

Thoreau has a way with description that is masterful. No extraneous words. Enough detail to give the reader an accurate image art picture of the scenes which he describes. I see now why this book has inspired generations of writers.

Listened at 1.7 times the normal speed.

important book

so much modern folk philosophy stared with this book. From environmentalism, to back-to-the-land-ers, to veganism. A must read for anyone wanting to understand contemporary society.

Must read

Such a beautiful conclusion, worth reading multiple times. It’s amazing how relevant a book from 1847 can be today

Wow...

An Honest Look At A Man And The Values He Carries And Supports. No Excuses For Stupidity Or Sloth. A Lazy Man Will Starve Or Freeze Depending On The Season. Written Before 1850 And Still A Look In To The Heart Of Man. Going Back To Read It Again!!!! Now !!!!!!

Relaxing and Simple

A reminder of easy enjoyment. Not a book to take to heart, or very seriously. But the experiment temps you to cull the inefficiencies of modern living and see what more simple experience might appear.

it's a tough one to stay tuned in, but insightful

The story isn't the easiest to follow but it is pretty interesting and has some great quotes

Amazing!

Any additional comments?
Pleasantly surprised in so many ways! This book is fabulous. If you love nature, modest/provident living, stillness of mind - then this is a must-read! Thoreau makes language dance! Alec Sand does a phenomenal job narrating!

Along these lines, I highly recommend "Braiding Sweetgrass". If you love one, you'll love the other.

Relevant, Timeless Wisdom and Philosophy

Thoreau's philosophy observations on life while living at Walden Pond are timeless, and all who read can't help but analyze there own life, priorities, and their importance (or lack there of) in the universe.