Thoreau: Walden / Civil Disobedience Audiobook (Unabridged)

" Though I appreciate Thoreau's emphasis on individuality and progressive society, I disliked his essay on Civil Disobedience for a number of reasons, some literary, others philosophical. Thoreau is hypocritical; he criticizes his fellow countrymen, specifically the Abolitionists, for obeying the government and not taking an active stance to represent their beliefs. However, Thoreau's only example of his own rebellion is his refusal to pay taxes. His point was petty and ineffective. Throughout the essay, Thoreau discusses his refusal to partake in any government practices when the government could allow an atrocity such as slavery to exist. However, Thoreau can propose no realistic means to solving the problem; to me, Civil Disobedience reads as a melodramatic, if not whiny compilation of Thoreau's personal beliefs. "

" I thought i would never finish this book, overall im just proud i got through it. I enjoyed civil disobedience much more then Walden. Parts of walden are beautifully written and at times really draws you in but to really appreciate it fully background research and discussion would be needed, not the best subway commuting book. "

" Read "Civil Disobedience" for school, but I love Thoreau's writing and want to read more! "

" Rejuvenating. The original 'Purpose-Driven Life'. "

" Should be required reading and paired with Silent Spring! "

" A Mighty High Standard to Live Up To! "

" I mistook it is as a 'living off the land' story.. but it is more into literature than adventure.. "

" Walden is my favorite book. "

" This might take me all year, I keep reading it in between other books "

" Only read Civil Disobedience at this time. Will read Walden in the future. "

" One of my very favorite books and definitely timely - it relates to something we are all thinking about now - our relationship to nature and how to live in tune with it. I strive to be like him. I love his mentor also - Emerson. "

" Thoreau, Emerson, and Whitman walk into a bar... "

" I just couldn't tolerate Thoreau's smugness, so I confess I did not finish "Walden." To read my review, go to: my blog. "

" despite the naturalism, which really isn't my thing, philosophically, the guy is so interesting that you'll forgive him for all his excesses. "

" I could not finish this book. Not that it was a bad book but if bored me. I also could not help but think that Walden is hippocritical. He a man of means could afford to buy a large piece of land and live off of it for a year. "

" 10 stars...I live by this book...I LOVE IT...it is good for anyone to read "

" A major staple in my library. This, along with a collection of Thoreau's other writings, are some of the few books I've kept over a long time. "

" Thoreau's ideas sound great at first, until you really start thinking things through. In the end, I decided that people can only live the way he would like for us to live, when they are living at the expense of others. "

" He was influenced by Jesus Christ and radical Christianity. His writings influenced MK Gandhi, who in turn influenced Dr. King. "

" All about independence and self-sufficiency. The way things should be. Greats insight into the challenges that one can have while trying to remove themselves from society. "

" Do not go another day of your life without reading this book if you haven't read it. If you have and it's been awhile, read it again! "

" This book is great for social studies plus I believe students need to be introduced to Thoreau at an early age. He talk about being " anti slavery" and about other important social issues great for 4th or 5th grade/ "

" I preferred Walden to CD. I was surprised that he knew of some Chinese writers.Maybe some of his acts were somewhat anti-social, but he expressed his views well. "

" This is one of those books I didn't get in high school when it was on the reading list. But I'm glad something made me pick it up now. "

" The reason I became an Educator. "

" Read "Civil Disobedience" for school, but I love Thoreau's writing and want to read more! "

" Thoreau and Emerson have it all figured out. "

" Yes, I'll say it: Thoreau is overrated, both as a stylist and a thinker. There's much of value in these essays, but also a lot of racial and economic myopia. "

" I really liked Civil Disobedience, but try as I might, I could not get into Walden. I eventually gave up about a third of the way in. I'm surprised because the whole premise interested me. Maybe I'll try again in some other life. "

" Convoluted and heavy BUT, filled with gems. You should read it. "