A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers

by Henry David Thoreau

Other authorsH. Daniel Peck (Editor), H. Daniel Peck (Introduction)

Paperback, 1998

Status

Available

Call number

974.272

Genres

Collection

Your library

Publication

Penguin Classics (1998), Paperback, 384 pages

Description

This book offers a selection of superb photographs by the famous turn-of-the-century photographer Herbert Gleason. Retracing one of Thoreau's early journeys, Gleason produced moving and dramatic pictures of life along the rivers of New England. Originally published in 1984. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member HarryMacDonald

This is a somewhat editied version of Thoreau's first notable book-length work, nominally celebrating a boat-trip he made with his beloved brother John, but of-course --Thoreau being what he was -- discoursing on practially everything that came into his mind, not merely on the trip, but afterwards.

For those who don't know, the actual trip did not last seven days, but Thoreau decided to describe it thus, for reasons of literary structure. This edition was a special corporate gift/promotional item published by an outfi which Thoreau would have cursed root and branch had he lived to our times. That aside, it is a lovely piece of work

Show Less

4 more

LibraryThing member Menzel

I've never read such a beautiful and gentle book...

In this book, writen during his time in Walden pond, Thoreau documents a boat trip he made with his brother, from Concord, Massachusetts to Concord, New Hampshire. A delightful journey immersing themselves (and the reader) fully into nature and a

time where things were different, calmer, probably better. A wonderful narrative where Thoreau intercalates descriptions of the scenery and its inhabitants with observations and thoughts about poetry, religion, philosophy, friendship, literature and history among other topics, flowing effortlessly between the former and the later like the rivers themselves. The reader often feels in the same boat as the two brothers, sailing on the brown rivers or having supper in a small, human-free, green island only to be taken the next second over a thought-provoking essay about religion or a history lesson about the indian wars. Thoreau shows an unusual grasp of english and brilliant prose which shines on every page, making it a little bit difficult to read for the non-native english speaker like me, but it's absolutely worth the effort. This is probably the most erudite book I ever read. Henry David Thoreau is king.

Show Less

LibraryThing member TheWasp

This is a wonderful, gentle book. The prose flows at the same relaxed pace as the river on which the author travels. It is full of history and nature and philosophy and documents a week when the world moved at a much slower pace.

LibraryThing member edwinbcn

In 1839, Henry David Thoreau spent two weeks rowing with his brother on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers. However, in A week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers this two-week trip is represented as having occurred in just one week.

For lovers of Natural History writing A week on the Concord and

Merrimack Rivers is a must-read. Thoreau are prose-poetry, and the dreamlike tranquility of the scene on the river comes through in full. The book is simply a pleasure to read.

Show Less

LibraryThing member overthemoon

An abridged version of the original, cutting out the flights of fancy and boring bits. I really like the introduction which explains in detail the fonts used (Thorowgood for display, perhaps a play on words with Thoreau?) and the sequence of illustrations: such a lot of work went into the design of

this.
Thoreau was barely out of university when he wrote this; I am amazed at the profusion of words that spill out of his head.

Show Less

Fewer