Henry David Thoreau

A

August West

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From time to time there is a lot of talk of Nessmuk on this site but I don't remember any mention of Thoreau. This surprises me, in Thoreau's book "The Maine Woods" he describes, at length, about camping and hunting in Maine in the mid 1800s. If anyone is interested in this time period, there are a lot of very good descriptions of camping and traveling by canoe. Good stuff and I enjoy it very much, if you haven't read any, and are interested in 19th century woods skills give it a go. Chris
 
That cabin of his was within walking distance of his mother's home, where he could go for meals if he got too hungry or lonely.
 
dextersp1 said:
That cabin of his was within walking distance of his mother's home, where he could go for meals if he got too hungry or lonely.
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That's Walden. The Maine Woods is a different work.

I remember being very disappointed when I learned about that though.
 
I am not a bit disapointed, it's still a good read. If for no other reason than insight into the thoughts of that day. Thoreau was a romantic and not entirely realistic but I still enjoy it. Chris
 
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I still have a Palm Pilot that I keep in my EDC/work bag.

On it I have digital versions of:
Walden and The Maine Woods by Thoreau
A Group of Poems by Robert Frost
Moby Dick by Melville
Paradise Lost by Milton
The Art Of War by Tzu
Last of the Mohicans by Cooper
KJV Bible

Not as nice to read as a real book but still there when I get the urge to read one of the classics.
 
"However mean your life is, meet it and live it: do not shun it and call it hard names. Cultivate poverty like a garden herb, like sage. Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Things do not change,we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts."
Henry David Thoreau

Thoreau's word have helped me through a really crappy past 6 months or so.
:)
 
I prefer Jack London's books to Thoreau. I remember reading one where he lights the fire with his cold hands failing him- only to be doomed in the end. Great adventure story!
I also really loved 2 years before the mast too. Excellent book, but doesnt have much to do about the outdoors.
 
I really like Thoreau. One of my favourites is Walking. I have a pocket size copy of it which Ive read over and over again :) Btw, most (or all?) books by Thoreau are available online for free. So, if anyones having a boring day at the office... 'nuff said ;)

tholiver said:
"However mean your life is, meet it and live it: do not shun it and call it hard names. Cultivate poverty like a garden herb, like sage. Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Things do not change,we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts."
Henry David Thoreau

Thoreau's word have helped me through a really crappy past 6 months or so.
:)
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Words of wisdom no doubt. Isnt it funny how much more stuff each generation of ppl absolutely need in order to be "happy"?
 
Foilist said:
That's Walden. The Maine Woods is a different work.

I remember being very disappointed when I learned about that though.
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It's a common misconception that Walden is about living in nature...Even though it's called "Life in the Woods." It's really more of a economic guide and a spiritual treatise about enjoying life and avoiding the drudgery of the average man's life. "Transcending" life, as it were...Thoreau is considered, like Emerson and sometimes Whitman, a "transcendentalist."

ETA: Interestingly, many of us spend time in nature to do exactly what Thoreau did...transcend our daily lives.
 
Frostyfingers said:
It's a common misconception that Walden is about living in nature...Even though it's called "Life in the Woods." It's really more of a economic guide and a spiritual treatise about enjoying life and avoiding the drudgery of the average man's life. "Transcending" life, as it were...Thoreau is considered, like Emerson and sometimes Whitman, a "transcendentalist."

ETA: Interestingly, many of us spend time in nature to do exactly what Thoreau did...transcend our daily lives.
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Exactly, in the first chapter of Walden he says the cabin was a mile from his closest neighbor, certainly walking distance. My favorite little woodlot is less than a mile from a good road in any direction, but when I am there, I without any doubt, transcend my daily life. Chris
 
August West said:
I fail to see what bearing this has on the quality of his ideas. :confused: Chris
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It doesn't bro. He just sold himself, then, as a 'back to nature' sort of chap - he just never really committed to that life. He lived in free cabins and fell back on mom. He is a writer of the outdoors who never really lived it fully. I think this is why he seems to have romanticized the outdoors so much. He was in love with it - but never got to know it like other writers did.

His writing is thus ethereal as opposed to down and dirty. If you want to read poetry about the land - he is one of the best. If you want to read reality about living in the land - there are likely other writers.

He advocated a 'back to nature' living, and never fully did what he advocated, that is all.

TF
 
Talfuchre said:
It doesn't bro. He just sold himself, then, as a 'back to nature' sort of chap - he just never really committed to that life. He lived in free cabins and fell back on mom. He is a writer of the outdoors who never really lived it fully. I think this is why he seems to have romanticized the outdoors so much. He was in love with it - but never got to know it like other writers did.

His writing is thus ethereal as opposed to down and dirty. If you want to read poetry about the land - he is one of the best. If you want to read reality about living in the land - there are likely other writers.

He advocated a 'back to nature' living, and never fully did what he advocated, that is all.

TF
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I am sure that this has been debated ad nauseam, however I don't see his writing that way at all. Like a lot of us, he is a Massachusetts city boy who is in love with nature and a back to nature life style and is trying to learn as much as possible. I have never read anything where he says, or implies, he is the alpha and omega of woods skills or living 100% in the wilds.

I would love to know what down and dirty authors you enjoy. Chris
 
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I agree Chris, not the point to beat a dead horse here. I just have a problem with those who don't fully live the lives they either advocate or romanticize.

This is outside the point - no one can deny how well written and influential Thoreau has been.

One of the more modern books of those who described nature and even some of the spirituality in a tale of survival was the book 'Adrift' by Steven Callahan.

TF
 
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