'Walden' by Henry David Thoreau

Walden is a book that doesn’t really need to be reviewed at this point – it is well-known enough that many have already read it, or at least they know a lot about it. Walden is the story of Thoreau's time living in a small cabin on Walden pond in Massachusetts. He contructs his own home in the most affordable way possible and lives by eating the most economical foods available, for example he grows his own field of beans. A common misconception may be that some people believed that Thoreau lived in isolation in his cabin, though the truth is that he had frequent visitors and he walked to town nearly every day.

I feel compelled to write about Thoreau's experience, because his life was in many ways an inspiration for other books that I've read recently. Both Siesta Lane and The Dirty Life are books about people who want to simplify and connect with their environment in a more meaningful way. Are you interested in living more simply or naturally? Walden is a great starting point.

Walden is available in the Lincoln College Library!