Henry David Thoreau: A Life by Laura Dassow Walls is a comprehensive biography of the American author Henry David Thoreau, exploring his life from his birth in Concord, Massachusetts, through his education at Harvard, his involvement with Transcendentalism, and his famous experiment living at Walden Pond. The book details his contributions to literature and philosophy, including Walden and "Civil Disobedience," as well as his activism against slavery and the Mexican-American War, until his death from tuberculosis in 1862. Topics such as slavery, imprisonment, and illness appear in the book.

Informative

Contemplative

Inspirational

Serene

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.6

1,108 ratings

91%

Loved it

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

Review Roundup

Henry David Thoreau: A Life by Laura Dassow Walls is praised for its thorough research, vivid storytelling, and insightful portrayal of Thoreau’s complexities. Critics commend its readability and depth, though some note it occasionally idealizes its subject. Overall, it’s a deeply engaging biography that brings Thoreau to life for both scholars and general readers.

Who Should Read Henry David Thoreau: A Life?

A reader who enjoys Henry David Thoreau: A Life by Laura Dassow Walls is likely an enthusiast of American literature, nature writing, and transcendentalism. Fans of Walden by Thoreau or The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain would appreciate this in-depth biography that explores Thoreau's life and philosophies.

4.6

1,108 ratings

91%

Loved it

Mixed feelings

Not a fan

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Book Details

Pages

640

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Genre

Philosophy

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Biography

Period

Transcendentalism

Setting