Walden

By: Henry David Thoreau

Narrated by: Mel Foster

Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Walden is the classic account of two years spent by Henry David Thoreau living at Walden Pond near Concord, Massachusetts. The story is detailed in its accounts of Thoreau's day-to-day activities, observations, and undertakings to survive out in the wilderness for two years.

Thoreau's journal is an exquisite account of a man seeking a more simple life by living in harmony with nature. In today's fast-paced consumer-driven society, the austere lifestyle endorsed by Thoreau is as relevant and refreshing as ever.

Public Domain (P)2008 Tantor

Great read

“My words will do much good to he whom it fits, so be careful not to stretch the seams when trying it on” - Thoreau

The power of thought

The Power of common thought is awesome. Simple common sense is logical enough to make it's own case.

Beautiful Imagery and a Timely Message

I would recommend this book to anyone facing a time of anxiety - a great way to ground oneself in their thoughts of what they deem important and why.

Not my body of water

Don't get me wrong.I understand the significance of this book and the importance of it having being written. I also see how well the book is written and that Thoreau must have been a very interesting character to talk to and also to follow him while alive, maybe even to hear him tell the stories personally. This book, however, was not for me.

I was not fully grasped by his descriptions of Walden and its surrounding woods, nor by his experience in the two years he lived there. I found myself so many times wanting not to return and finish the book. However, since I don't like to leave books unfinished, I was able to go back.

I have to say that close to the end, I started to enjoy a little more, but, even then, it was kind of dragging.

There are very interesting insights and some very good quotes that I certainly agree with, but, despite the amount of water that Walden and all the ponds, snow and rain that fell while he was writing, living and narrating his experience and showing off his knowledge, the book was very, very dry.

That's why it's not my cup of tea. I don't like tea and I can only see the leaves at the bottom, with just a sliver of water, insufficient to humidify my mouth.

But that's just me.

Poetic scientific artistry

A classic for a reason and a joy to read. Recommend use: consume outside under the shade of a tree.

Narrator sounds as if he’s badly in need of a nap.

Thoreau deserves better than this narration. His message is important, I think, but I could not listen to this lazy, bored narrator.

Inspiring

I felt surprisingly connected with Thoreau’s principles and thought process. Reading left me with an increased thirst to explore nature, study Greek heroes and find a way to awake within the scope of my day to day activities.

Pioneer of “Minimalism”

Thought it might be boring but turned out to be a peaceful piece. Thoreau let me to have a good glimpse of what’s like to live in nature. In the a fast paced and materialistic world, it’s very calming to listen to the book and learn to reduce my desires. Too bad Audiobook didn’t correct the glitch of what has reported by other listeners. I chose this version over the other free version in the Plus Catalog because I didn’t like the voice of the reader of the other available one. Disappointed that the problem of cutting off in Chapter 10 or 11 was not corrected.

Relevant lovely and important!

You will find Walden as relevant, lovely, inspiring and important in 2022 as it was thought to be 180 years ago!

Do not recommend unless you like the topic

Very very long, I had so much trouble getting through it. It’s very monotonous. I would only recommend for the content