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Title: Walden by Henry David Thoreau, John Carradine ISBN: 0-89926-113-2 Publisher: Bookthrift Co Pub. Date: June, 1990 Format: Audio Cassette List Price(USD): $10.95

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Average Customer Rating: 4 (58 reviews)

Rating: 5
Summary: For all idealists
Comment: This timeless classic from one of the great thinkers of the 19th century American transcedentalist school appeals to all idealists. This would include idealists from both the left and the right. Envronmentalists are attracted by the themes of living in harmony with nature. For example, Thoreau observes all around him in his two year two month stay in his simple house in the woods. He describes in great detail watching certain insects glide along the pond and the ripples made when they do so. He provides an engrossing description of two ant colonies, one black, the other red, at war with each other and gives a lurid, blow by blow account of the battle. Envrionmentalist also will be drawn toward his declarations against waste and using more than is necassary.

Leftists from an earlier generation, "hippies" for want of a better characterization, are drawn towards Thoreau's rejection of the material. At Walden Pond, Thoreau eschewed unnecessary comforts and lived for what may be more truly important; a life in which we get to know the world around us. He was able to sit for hours, but this was not a waste of time because he was thinking and observing. He sought higher values.

Idealists from the right are also attracted by Thoreau's observations since he was self reliant and lived off of his own labors without thinking that anyone else owed him a living. He may have rejected the material but, in so doing, he fended for himself and lived off of his hard work and ingenuity. Unfortunately, there are many today who cannot possibly appreciate this great book because they are more concerned with materialism, an easy life and pop culture. I hope that these young people will ultimately experience what Thoreau early in the first chapter calls the greatest miracle: "to look through each other's eyes for an instant." I hope that these young readers will look through this great thinker's eyes and truly try to understand what he has seen and experienced.

Rating: 5
Summary: Splendid and timeless read
Comment: There are probably only a few books that you will read in your life that will cause you to re-examine your own. For me, Walden is one of them. Thoreau plays the pauper philosopher, observing man and nature in all of their glorious routines. At first one may perceive Thoreau as a cynical eccentric, cajoling his fellow man and questioning nearly every move that he makes. But on further examination we see Thoreau as an optimist, empathizing with man's desire for a sense of purpose and our need to be appreciated. He'll tease you with a timeless gem: "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation," then proceed to give an intricate description of the Walden flora and environment for numerous pages. Thoreau is a Plato in rags, a people's Shakespeare with a perpetual smile and a self awareness difficult to match. I implore you to be patient as the prose is atypical of everything I've read, including works from the same era. Read carefully, stay the course and Thoreau will not let you down.

Rating: 5
Summary: Incredible!
Comment: I had not read this growing up but wish I had. This is such a wonderful book. There are not many pictures in here - just a hand drawn map in one part of the book. Its excerpts from Thoreau's journal over the two year period when he lived on Walden's pond. He did not live like a recluse (he went in to Concord almost every day) so its not a book about living alone per se. Its more about reflecting on life, considering why one "is" and recognizing the beauty and mystery of nature around us every day, everywhere. Thoreau talks of regular daily things too like what it costs him to farm, or having cider, or building a chimney. The writing style is conversational, open, honest. He doesn't try to get tricky with words, he just tells it like he sees it. It's so beautiful. For anyone (like me) who indeed sees nature as their "religion" or sees the Great Spirit in every leaf, tree and bug, this book will be adored. So many wonderful messages, thoughts, woven throughout this book. Its an incredible work.