Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Foul Play Press (2005), 270 pages
Description
The writing of David Henry Thoreau is as full of life today as it was when he published Walden one hundred years ago. In seeking to understand nature, Thoreau sought to "lead a fresh, simple life with God." In 1848 a seeker named Harrison Blake, yearning for a spiritual life of his own, asked the then-fledgling writer for guidance. The fifty letters that ensued, collected here for the first time in their own volume by Thoreau specialist Bradley P. Dean, are by turns earnest, oracular, witty, playful, practical?and deeply insightful and inspiring, as one would expect from America's best prose stylist and great moral philosopher.
User reviews
LibraryThing member StephenBarkley
Let me just confess something up front: I bought this book because of the beautiful canoe on the cover. Sure, I rationalized it in other ways. "Spiritual" in the title peaked my interest, and I did appreciate Walden. But it was the canoe sold it.
To read the blurbers, you'd think this book was a new
While there were occasional moments of brilliance, I found this collection of letters increasingly self-indulgent. The off-hand references to scripture and mythology came off as pretentious.
The layout of the book was another problem. Because of the culture gap and Thoreau's wide range of references, there were copious notes. This would be good if they were printed on the same page as the letter. Instead, all 64 pages of footnotes were tucked away at the end of the book. That means you have to flip back and forth to read just under a third of the content of the volume.
Read and enjoy Walden. Don't get sidetracked here.
To read the blurbers, you'd think this book was a new
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gospel. Here's what Terry Tempest Williams said: "I open this book at random and find daily strength in Thoreau's words that gives me courage. . . . This is a book I keep on my desk as a record of shared faith." I can't agree.While there were occasional moments of brilliance, I found this collection of letters increasingly self-indulgent. The off-hand references to scripture and mythology came off as pretentious.
The layout of the book was another problem. Because of the culture gap and Thoreau's wide range of references, there were copious notes. This would be good if they were printed on the same page as the letter. Instead, all 64 pages of footnotes were tucked away at the end of the book. That means you have to flip back and forth to read just under a third of the content of the volume.
Read and enjoy Walden. Don't get sidetracked here.
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LibraryThing member NateJordon
As always, Thoreau's words are as poignant today as they were 150 years ago. His musings on life and the purpose of it are a beacon to all seekers. His critique of society's ills continue to ring true - though society and culture have changed dramatically since his time, the nature of mankind has
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essentially stayed the same; the social, cultural, political, and financial challenges we face today are much the same and are a result of our slow evolution. Thoreau provides insight into the core of these issues. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2004
Physical description
8 inches
ISBN
0393327566 / 9780393327564
Other editions
Letters to a Spiritual Seeker by Henry David Thoreau (Paperback)
Letters To A Spiritual Seeker by Henry David Thoreau (Hardcover)