Walden / Civil Disobedience / and Other Writings

This edition of Walden / Civil Disobedience / and Other Writings includes critical essays and journal excerpts, enriching Thoreau's literary legacy and environmental thought.

This edition presents a comprehensive collection of significant works by Henry David Thoreau, including the well-known texts Walden and Civil Disobedience. In addition to these cornerstone essays, it reprints other important writings such as Slavery in Massachusetts,Walking, and Wild Apples. Notably, this version features critical contributions from nineteen scholars, offering diverse perspectives on Thoreau's literary legacy. The inclusion of extensive excerpts from Thoreau's journal, arranged with Princeton University Press, enriches the reader's understanding of his thoughts and experiences from 1845 to 1854.

The selections from Thoreau's journal provide a vivid portrayal of his deep engagement with the local landscape, illustrating the interplay between literary exploration and natural history that characterizes Walden, Walking, and Wild Apples. This edition also incorporates a section titled “Reviews and Posthumous Assessments,” which presents eight new critiques of Thoreau's antislavery works and environmental essays, enhancing the dialogue around his contributions to American literature and social thought. Additionally, it includes influential portraits of Thoreau by Ralph Waldo Emerson and James Russell Lowell, along with John Burroughs's insightful response.

Furthermore, the section titled “Recent Criticism” gathers eighteen selections of contemporary analysis, showcasing the evolution of Thoreau’s reception since the mid-twentieth century. This edition not only features classic critiques from notable figures such as E. B. White and Leo Marx but also introduces essays from nine new contributors, providing a well-rounded exploration of Thoreau's impact. A new Chronology of Thoreau's life and an updated Selected Bibliography are also included, making this edition a valuable resource for both students and enthusiasts of Thoreau's work.