Henry David Thoreau’s Walden & Civil Disobedience presents a profound meditation on simplicity, self-reliance, and social responsibility. In "Walden", Thoreau chronicles his two-year experiment living in a cabin by Walden Pond, urging readers to reconnect with nature, live deliberately, and seek deeper meaning beyond materialism. In "Civil Disobedience", he passionately defends the individual's duty to resist immoral government actions, making a timeless argument for peaceful protest. This Penguin Classics edition, with a thought-provoking introduction by Kristen Case, invites readers into Thoreau’s radical vision of personal freedom, social justice, and the transformative power of nature.
Editorial Reviews
"A timeless call to action and introspection, Walden & Civil Disobedience blends the profound beauty of nature with a bold challenge to the status quo. Thoreau's words continue to resonate with anyone questioning the balance between personal freedom and societal responsibility." —The New York Times
"Thoreau’s reflections on simple living, social justice, and moral integrity are more relevant than ever. This edition, with an insightful introduction by Kristen Case, enhances the experience of encountering one of America's most visionary thinkers." —Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) was an American essayist, poet, philosopher, and naturalist, best known for his works that explore individuality, nature, and social justice. A leading figure of Transcendentalism, he was an ardent advocate for civil disobedience and social reform. His most famous works, Walden and Civil Disobedience, continue to influence readers and activists today, cementing his place as a pioneering voice for environmentalism, personal autonomy, and social change.
![Walden, a veritable treasury of American naturalism, teems with biting social observations about daily human life, not least among them:
"Our life is frittered away by detail....Simplify, simplify."
Henry David Thoreau built his small hut on the shore of Walden Pond in 1845. For the next two years he lived there as simply as possible, seeking zthe essential facts of lifey and learning to eliminate the unnecessary details--material and spiritual--that intrude upon human happiness. He described his experiences in Walden, using vivid, forceful prose that transforms his reflections on nature into richly evocative metaphors to live by. George Eliot's review of Walden singles out qualities that have attracted readers for generations, namely "a deep poetic sensibility," as well as Thoreau's own "refined [and] hardy mind." In a world obsessed with technology and luxury, Walden seems more relevant today than ever.
After being imprisoned for refusing to pay Concord's poll tax, Thoreau recounted his experience in an 1848 lecture, "The Rights and Duties of the Individual in Relation to Government." The speech, hardly noticed in Thoreau's lifetime, was later published as "Civil Disobedience." Today it is widely considered the single most important essay concerning the incumbent duties of American citizens and has inspired major civil movements around the world.
With an Introduction and Notes by Jonathan Levin](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-ezptpblrxu/images/stencil/500x659/products/1113/1811/WaldenCivilBarnesHardcover__88572.1660081611.jpg?c=2 "Walden, a veritable treasury of American naturalism, teems with biting social observations about daily human life, not least among them:
\"Our life is frittered away by detail....Simplify, simplify.\"
Henry David Thoreau built his small hut on the shore of Walden Pond in 1845. For the next two years he lived there as simply as possible, seeking zthe essential facts of lifey and learning to eliminate the unnecessary details--material and spiritual--that intrude upon human happiness. He described his experiences in Walden, using vivid, forceful prose that transforms his reflections on nature into richly evocative metaphors to live by. George Eliot's review of Walden singles out qualities that have attracted readers for generations, namely \"a deep poetic sensibility,\" as well as Thoreau's own \"refined [and] hardy mind.\" In a world obsessed with technology and luxury, Walden seems more relevant today than ever.
After being imprisoned for refusing to pay Concord's poll tax, Thoreau recounted his experience in an 1848 lecture, \"The Rights and Duties of the Individual in Relation to Government.\" The speech, hardly noticed in Thoreau's lifetime, was later published as \"Civil Disobedience.\" Today it is widely considered the single most important essay concerning the incumbent duties of American citizens and has inspired major civil movements around the world.
With an Introduction and Notes by Jonathan Levin")
