Presents Thoreau's reflections on his experiences living alone in the woods surrounding Walden Pond and his philosophy concerning humankind's need to reevaluate life and commune with nature.

American author, naturalist, and abolitionist, Henry David Thoreau was a principal figure of the 19th century movement of Transcendentalism. Central to the philosophy is a belief that people, who are inherently good, are corrupted by the organized institutions of society and that consequently the best community is one that is built upon on independence and self-reliance. This corrupting influence is discussed in one of Thoreau's most famous essay,...

Thoreau's sojourn in the wilderness.

A collection of Thoreau's essays traces his trajectory as a writer and presenter, in a chronologically organized work that follows the Transcendentalist's ideas as they developed over time.

Every so often a great mind emerges within the world of literature whose work serves to inspire countless generations of aspiring writers. In celebration of one such mind, Harper Collins presents an essential collection of work by Henry David Thoreau.

"It is only when we forget our learning that we begin to know," Thoreau wrote. Ideas about education permeate Thoreau's writing. Uncommon Learning brings those ideas together in a single volume for the first time.