Walden, or Life in the Woods

By: Henry David Thoreau

Narrated by: Robert Bethune

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Noted transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau spent two years, two months, and two days chronicling his near-isolation in the small cabin he built in the woods near Walden Pond on land owned by his mentor, the father of Transcendentalism, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Immersing himself in nature and solitude, Thoreau sought to develop a greater understanding of society amidst a life of self-reliance and simplicity. Originally published in 1854, Walden remains one of the most celebrated works in American literature. This version of Walden, or Life in the Woods was recorded as part of Walden and On the Duty of Civil Disobedience.

Public Domain (P)2017 Dreamscape Media, LLC

An excellent reading of a classic book

I have read portions of this book many times but this may be the first time I am able to enjoy the entire book straight through. I am a great fan of Thoreau and his philosophy of simplicity. I particularly enjoy listening while out on a walk. The reader does a very good job of keeping me engaged and his voice sounds like he is from the 1800s- I cannot explain that clearly, but I do believe it to be true. I feel as though it is Thoreau reading to me. Also, his animal sounds are very well done! I expect that I will listen to this book many times and each time I will glean more valuable information from it. I would recommend it to anyone interested in Thoreau or his works. Audible 20 Review Sweepstakes Entry

Walden and Zen

Two of the books that impacted me in college were Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and Walden. It’s the simple tasks that bring meaning be it fixing a bike chain or measuring the thickness of ice on pond. I know that life for me is a rush. I’m constantly tied to technology I’m les comfortable with silence. The book challenges us unplug and look and listen . The audio book was fine but suggest get the book and add audio companion.

brilliance

This book is captivating from the first word to the last. It's so full of meaning and the words are so thought provoking. it pulls you in to the story the entire time.

Everything old is new again?

Who is the precursor to Marie Kondo, who was the preppy before there was such a word, who was the original of many a pop culture fixture? I put forth Thoreau. In fact I’m sure that if he was with us today he’d have show, Thoreau Fiddling or how ‘bout At Home with Ralph.

Fun and jokes aside Thoreau was 27 years old when he started this endeavor and in the time he lived simply he could have easily have nodded in agreement to the motto of “less is more.” In this manner he might seem similar to today’s Kondo, but wait. Is that fair? Asceticism for the sake of discovering the self without distractions. To enjoy what is before you now and seek deeper into what is the present instead of amassing, expending energies in pursuit of things disguised as necessary. Ah, is that the philosophy of the new asceticism? Perhaps?

What’s more he borrowed from the classics - who can dislike a guy like that! The battle of the red and black ants! Achilles and Patroclus are introduced to us again in the most charming of incarnations.

Of course no product of early Americana can resist the urge to pay homage to its Calvinist inclinations and to this end Ralph does not disappoint. To fall short of his enlightened ways is to incur his pity, disdain or some other emotion akin.

And what if that rant and rave concerning farmer Flint? Really - what’s the issue? Really tell us.

A charming journey with Thoreau to the sensibilities of the past and in doing so a peek into a particular mindset. How divorced are we - are we not - from that past?