Thank you norma for this in 1974 forever grateful

I read Walden to my 2 sons (10 & 8) every night before bed. It's amazing how such a simple thing had my boys less interested in video games and TV and more interested in adventure and the outdoors. Thank you, Thoreau.

Along with Emerson and Whitman, this guy is the writer/philosopher/poet most in accord with my own weltanschuuang. All three are gloriously quotable. Here’s my top ten from Thoreau, in no particular order: 1. *The question is not what you look at, but what you see.* 2. *The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the desperate country, and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work. But it is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.* 3. *I find it wholesome to be alone the greater part of the time. To be in company, even with the best, is soon wearisome and dissipating. I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude.* 4. *You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.* 5. *If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away.* 6. *Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.* 7. *I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.* 8. *The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when one asked me what I thought, and attended to my answer.* 9. *Things do not change; we change.* 10. *A man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone.* Like stars in the firmament, there are countless others, he is that quotable. Perhaps after all, this is my all-time favourite: *I say, beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes.* 🥸

"When I wrote the following pages, or rather the bulk of them, I lived alone, in the woods, a mile from any neighbor, in a house which I had built myself, on the shore of Walden Pond, in Concord, Massachusetts, and earned my living by the labor of my hands only. I lived there two years and two months. At present I am a sojourner in civilized life again. I should not obtrude my affairs so much on the notice of my readers if very particular inquiries had not been made by my townsmen concerning my mode of life." Walden

It's enchanting to be there, but not nearly as enchanting as it is to be "there" - in the place which Thoreau was at mentally/spiritually. I have been in the latterr - I think, more than 99% of people have been; but I suppose I am biased? no I don't think so - and I have also been at the actual pond. I was even surprised at how emotionally overtaken I was to actually be there! (I am from the other side of the country, California, so I never knew if I ever would even go there to Concord). I was pulled out of that emotion though, upon reaching (in my car) the Ranger booth, or what have you, and having to put on a "normal" face, as I paid for parking (or, tried to pay for it; you pay at kiosks - machines - so I actually *could* have just hidden my face and driven right by, and stayed in that emotional place). … One of the more depressing things I am aware of at this point in life is that I may never have that feeling, that moment, again - the first time arriving at Walden Pond. :'( I had the very same experience - but probably a little stronger, even - when, on the same trip, I drove into Amherst, MA for the first time. (Big Emily Dickinson and Thoreau fan). Again, being amongst people, especially in-car, took me out of that place. I actually think I can improve upon my trip to Amherst. And - I figure: if I am going across country to visit Amherst again, I might as well go to Walden again while there. Then I can see if I can feel the wonder of it again. … I really don't think I can though.

My favorite book. My favorite place. Took a canoe trip in highschool down the river, to see what he saw and where he lived. One of my greatest memories.

The shop that sells "trinkets and books" is run by the Thoreau Society and the books they sell are all about Thoreau, Walden and the 19th Century, as well as modern day issues that Thoreau influenced. The roads and railroad were there when HDT lived there (1845-1847) and, in fact, there were almost no trees when he lived there. Its prettier now then when he lived there!

I live in a tiny town in the middle of wheat country in North West Victoria, Australia. We have a nature reserve with a series of ponds which I visit at least once a week. I like to think I am experiencing the spirit of Walden with every visit.

A lovely voice and visuals. I love the voice. Was visiting a friend in NYC (I'm from Australia) and spent a night in Boston. I only had an afternoon to get back to NY for my flight. I took a train to Concord, walked to the pond & could only spend an hour there as I had to run up the train tracks for the last train. I walked in the water in early Autumn. It was a dream to go there. Places like this can be found everywhere if one takes the time to look. Made my flight from NY in the nick of time.

I agree! it is real the natural, is beautiful we should protect it

Books are as much metaphorical as literal: Walden is not only a place, but a state of mind; Walden is wherever you peace and solitude and the opportunity for reflection; Walden is inside

This was amazing. I will read Walden for sure.

It is Robert J. Lurtsema reading this from WGBH Radio

Thanks for posting this, sounds like WGBH radio announcer, Robert J. Lurtsema (November 14, 1931-June 12, 2000). Born and raised 17 years in Concord, MA and never return without a visit to Thoreau Cove at Walden Pond.

Really it story very well and also read completed

so remarkable for its depth and purity...missing from this pathetic age.

Beautiful. Well done.

as Thoreau wrote: not all books are as dull as their readers!

makes me to remind when I was there. I like his thinks.

Such a natural place to visit on Earth Day - and revisit throughout the year.

Incredible. I'd love to see it in real life.

I learned to swim there. Thoreau would have considered us to be polluters of the pond. But there's a little beach there. The spot where Thoreau's cabin was was off to our right and out of sight.

This book requires REFLECTION upon what is read, just as much as it requires re-reading.

I just hit the second chapter and already I'm thinking I'll need to buy a hard copy for future read-throughs..

Thoreau was on to something when he wrote that book.

great but how do we watch youtube in the woods?

I used to live by there, but I was too young to appreciate it. I wanna go back up north so badly.

Enjoyed the video and reading.

well done this was lovely

Holy fuckin shit! Spiritual honesty!

Like Ghandi- his inspiration- he changed my life, and stood as my foundation....

Nice video! who else is here for EIL lol

I agree with you. The pond stands for a beautiful experience versus just a "beautiful" pond/

I only had to read 3 chapters for school and i read it over a couple times but I still dont know what happened in those three chapters, after reading sentence i couldnt tell u what just happened in that sentence, I just went by what my teacher told me happened

*wherever you find peace...*

Beautiful voice.

There's a Renee Goust song inspired on Walden. Check it out if you care to, I'll post it as a video response.

Healing give thanks, displaced Concord Native

@Nickodemusodurn generally?

Walden pond is

In2017

I´ts not Jack Nickolson, is it?

Thoreau wouldn't have cared for the town dump across the street either :)

REPPIN MRS KELLEYS CLASS@@

lol

@Nickodemusodurn ,-)

I was very disappointed seeing the pond in Fall 2008. It was very plain, without any trace of beauty as described by Thoreau. Maybe things have changed much since then...

It's just an effin' lake

You know a middle schooler got shot there

a Harvard egghead's thoughts on a pond....

@Nickodemusodurn i don't like these kind "off roading" as experiencing Ur-self.. i read the book ... just 4 2 know .. did not care!!

He lost me as soon as he started referring to a "Adam and Eve" ....such bullshit.