Here is a link for a hypertext version of Thoreau's Walden.

Walden

-- Little Bit Farm (littlebit@brightok.net), July 22, 2003

Answers

Personally I was not impressed with the very first chapter of this book which, although I have heard much of in homesteading circles, I have never read in it's entirety myself. Coming at this from a Christian point of view, I found his attitude arrogant and disrespectful to those who had lived longer on the earth than he. I also feel that it is only by having one's roots planted deeply in the soil(to use his own analogy), that one can grow to ANY height. So perhaps, those laborers in drudgery that he so freely roasts, are actually greater than those philosophers who blow where the wind carries them. To me, great thought is not great thought, unless it has the experience of living behind it. Those who wax poetic, and philosophize are often the ones who are of no use otherwise to mankind. I am finding this interesting however. Given that I see quotes from this guy all over homesteading publications, so far, I don't see any of the tenants of homesteading that I think are important in this book. In fact, so far I tend to sympathize with the people who he seems to be so irritated with. However it is after all the first chapter.

Little Bit Farm

-- Little Bit Farm (littlebit@brightok.net), July 23, 2003.

Wow, I'd thought it was just me since Thoreau was suppose to be so wonderful. I had noticed several other male writers of that day and time who were also acutely critical offering nothing positive or useful! Thank you for speaking out! Nita

-- Nita Holstine (nita@phancypages.com), August 04, 2003.