Walking

By: Henry David Thoreau

Narrated by: Deaver Brown

Walking is not as well known as Thoreau's other works Walden, The Maine Woods, and Civil Disobedience. But it is a good place to start exploring his writing because it was his last book, in 1862, published by the Atlantic Monthly shortly after his death. It is less well known because it is general, as opposed to singular, in focus. It is his summing up of his thoughts on life: One should saunter through life and take notice; one need not go far (as Thoreau rarely left the 25 square miles of Concord and its population of 1,784, according to the 1840 census.)

This is not a political or ecological book as many advocates have stated; it does support nature, but in a small subtle way. He was a man of his age who possessed a variety of talents and abilities, similar to Jefferson and Franklin. He sought to encourage people to notice and saunter, but did not rail against anyone who chose not to. This was a favorite work of Justice William Douglas, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi. As the liberal jurist Douglas said, This book displays how Thoreau could have been transplanted to any American century and prospered. Jefferson, Franklin, Douglas, King, and Gandhi would be five men who could join him in his appreciation for sauntering and noticing.

Public Domain (P)2011 Deaver Brown

Compelling & beautifully written.

A wonderful essay written near the end of Thoreau's short life. As the reader says, it is a great introduction to Thoreau's work as it touches upon all his key themes in one short, compelling essay. Compact and beautifully written.

Narrator's accent distracts at first, but you get used to it.

If you're new to Thoreau, don't start with Walden (& its tedious list of materials & expenses), start with this.

not the correct narrator

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This is a classic book, by one of America's classic authors.

Would you be willing to try another one of Deaver Brown’s performances?

No. This is absolutely the wrong narrator for a performance of a 19th century author. This person has a wonderful voice....if you're listening to The Sopranos; not Thoreau.

Walking

The written work is awesome. The performance by the reader was pedestrian bordering on horrible. Would not have him do my more readings for Audible.

Thoreau's thoughts are quite thought provoking

Deep thoughts certainly pervade this work. It still catches me off guard when books like this are as meaningful today as they were when written. I appreciate what the reader did keeping this as rough as it sometimes was but it got more distracting the farther I listened. That said I appreciate the reader and his love of Thoreau and only criticize because it after all is a review. Thank you for taking the time you did to allow us to hear Thoreau and this work was worth listening to.

I love this short read, Thanks...H.D. Thoreau

one of my favorites to listen to insightful chalk full of wonderful inspirations, why not you go for a walk?

Great bit of Thoreau and Transindentalism

Some of the reviewer are distracted by the reader. Perhaps not a pro. He does a serviceable job, however. The content is not just about walking but thoughts while walking. Very worthwhile as a brief intro to HDT and walking. Recommended.

a wonderful message

The content of the text is great. Needed a better narrator. He sounded wooden which made it a struggle to listen to.

Is he drunk?

My first thought was that this is read with offhand lazy inarticulate garbling and truly odd emphasis and intonation. I had to give up for a while, then listened again...while walking.

I think I get it now, a "once through" reading as if by a somewhat cranky (and somewhat drunk) uncle. Raw, wilder than rehearsed. Flawed...like nature.

Thank you.

A great and inspiring work.

This is a "Great Book" in the truest sense - one that can be read over and over, and still inspire and educate about all that is most important.

Technical issues but ok

The voice, intonation, pronunciation and rhythm was ok almost perfect.
Few technical hiccups, some voices and sound on the back, and a little cut off at some point.