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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
I read this in my tent at night on the Appalachian Trail...a good place for such an endeavor. But it was only slightly less challenging that it was when I read it in high school 41 years ago. Thoreau comes across as a snob and a dilettante. It's easy to wax poetic about nature when you're only a few miles from food, warmth, friends and family. Just keep in mind that this is a philosophical work, not a novel, and keeping a pen or highlighter nearby is recommended.
“Fui al bosque porque deseaba vivir deliberadamente, enfrentar solo los hechos esenciales de la vida, y ver si podía aprender lo que tenía que enseñar, y no, cuando llegué a morir, descubrir que no había vivido. No quise vivir lo que no era vida, vivir es tan caro; ni quería practicar la resignación, a menos que fuera muy necesario. Quería vivir profundamente y chupar todo el tuétano de la vida, vivir tan sólidamente y tan espartanamente como para desbaratar todo lo que no era vida, cortar una amplia franja y afeitarla, arrinconar la vida y reducirlo a sus términos más bajos, y, si resultó ser mezquino, ¿por qué entonces obtener toda su mezquindad genuina y publicar su mezquindad al mundo; o si fuere sublime, conocerlo por experiencia, y poder dar cuenta fiel de él en mi próxima excursión.”
“Walden” documenta una vida ascética, frugal, tranquila y solitaria, la cual no podemos confundirla con una novela, sino más bien como una colección documentaria de la experiencia de Thoreau pasa sus días haciendo jardinería, cultivando verduras, cortando leña o reparando goteras en su cabaña. Un lugar donde en raras ocasiones los visitantes pernotaban, lo que le deja más tiempo para escuchar a los pájaros en el bosque, leer o reflexionar sobre las cuestiones de la vida. Dos años, dos meses y dos días significo un acto de experiencia al autor en la soledad de Walden, pasaron nueve años para darle forma al texto. «De este modo acabó mi primer año de vida en los bosques y el segundo año fue parecido. Abandoné Walden el 6 de septiembre de 1847”
“La masa de hombres lleva vidas de silenciosa desesperación. Lo que se llama 'resignación' es desesperación confirmada”.
Un maravilloso texto de un reformador que busca la verdad y el equilibrio en la naturaleza, que en la soledad de Walden le da una gran importancia a la observación de todo lo movible y estático para recrear en palabras aquel fantástico paisaje. Cada uno de sus capítulos es una continua inspiración a los líderes mundiales, a los activistas del cambio climático y para aquellos que simplemente buscan encontrar su mejor versión de vida. Por eso se convirtió en la biblia de los hippies, los ambientalistas, los desertores y el movimiento de 1968. Hasta el día de hoy, el libro es muy popular. Cuán popular demuestra una nueva revista alemana, publicada trimestralmente: “Walden: La revista al aire libre para hombres” explica a sus lectores cómo cortar leña, hacer fuego o construir una canoa.
A lo largo del texto notará los cambios tonales, en algunos casos en sus descripciones mística y lirica de algunos lugares, en su forma de ir detallando la economicidad de estar en Walden y estar en lo civilizado. A veces parece estar escribiendo un diario, registrando los eventos del día; otras veces amplía su alcance para incluir todo el cosmos y toda la eternidad. En algunos lugares su estilo es neutral y observacional, en otros lugares poderosamente profético o didáctico, como en el capítulo “Conclusión”.
“Walden” documenta una vida ascética, frugal, tranquila y solitaria, la cual no podemos confundirla con una novela, sino más bien como una colección documentaria de la experiencia de Thoreau pasa sus días haciendo jardinería, cultivando verduras, cortando leña o reparando goteras en su cabaña. Un lugar donde en raras ocasiones los visitantes pernotaban, lo que le deja más tiempo para escuchar a los pájaros en el bosque, leer o reflexionar sobre las cuestiones de la vida. Dos años, dos meses y dos días significo un acto de experiencia al autor en la soledad de Walden, pasaron nueve años para darle forma al texto. «De este modo acabó mi primer año de vida en los bosques y el segundo año fue parecido. Abandoné Walden el 6 de septiembre de 1847”
“La masa de hombres lleva vidas de silenciosa desesperación. Lo que se llama 'resignación' es desesperación confirmada”.
Un maravilloso texto de un reformador que busca la verdad y el equilibrio en la naturaleza, que en la soledad de Walden le da una gran importancia a la observación de todo lo movible y estático para recrear en palabras aquel fantástico paisaje. Cada uno de sus capítulos es una continua inspiración a los líderes mundiales, a los activistas del cambio climático y para aquellos que simplemente buscan encontrar su mejor versión de vida. Por eso se convirtió en la biblia de los hippies, los ambientalistas, los desertores y el movimiento de 1968. Hasta el día de hoy, el libro es muy popular. Cuán popular demuestra una nueva revista alemana, publicada trimestralmente: “Walden: La revista al aire libre para hombres” explica a sus lectores cómo cortar leña, hacer fuego o construir una canoa.
A lo largo del texto notará los cambios tonales, en algunos casos en sus descripciones mística y lirica de algunos lugares, en su forma de ir detallando la economicidad de estar en Walden y estar en lo civilizado. A veces parece estar escribiendo un diario, registrando los eventos del día; otras veces amplía su alcance para incluir todo el cosmos y toda la eternidad. En algunos lugares su estilo es neutral y observacional, en otros lugares poderosamente profético o didáctico, como en el capítulo “Conclusión”.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
reflective
slow-paced
You know, I get that classics are...well, classic, but I don't think that give them a pass on the ratings. A person should know what they are getting into when they start a book.
This one... well, if you're a tree hugger, which I would classify myself as such, there is some beautiful imagery here. I thought that this would be a book worthy of listening to on the way to the mountains. Au contraire. Assuredly, thou wilt fall asleep. If I knew any Latin, that would have been an appropriate substitute. Anyway, that was our experience as read by Robert Bethune. He definitely gave it the sound of Thoreau, but sheesh, listen to this on an interstate at your own risk. We allowed ourselves an hour at a time, and that was all we could take.
Also, Thoreau. He is as long winded and judgy as it gets. Yeah, yeah, well schooled, but his ideas? Brutally stoic regarding clothing and diet. Apparently, in 19th century New England you could get away with building a cottage as a squatter on someone else's land, and hunt, fish or farm enough to subsist, but that is definitely not something you'll be able to get away with today in the US. These days your parents want you out of their basement. It's nice that was a possibility once upon a time, I suppose, but not sure we all need to hear the sermon on it.
Summed up - interesting description of a remote place in historic New England, written with too many words.
This one... well, if you're a tree hugger, which I would classify myself as such, there is some beautiful imagery here. I thought that this would be a book worthy of listening to on the way to the mountains. Au contraire. Assuredly, thou wilt fall asleep. If I knew any Latin, that would have been an appropriate substitute. Anyway, that was our experience as read by Robert Bethune. He definitely gave it the sound of Thoreau, but sheesh, listen to this on an interstate at your own risk. We allowed ourselves an hour at a time, and that was all we could take.
Also, Thoreau. He is as long winded and judgy as it gets. Yeah, yeah, well schooled, but his ideas? Brutally stoic regarding clothing and diet. Apparently, in 19th century New England you could get away with building a cottage as a squatter on someone else's land, and hunt, fish or farm enough to subsist, but that is definitely not something you'll be able to get away with today in the US. These days your parents want you out of their basement. It's nice that was a possibility once upon a time, I suppose, but not sure we all need to hear the sermon on it.
Summed up - interesting description of a remote place in historic New England, written with too many words.
Review
This was dense. He would dedicate pages to a group of red ants fighting a group of black ants that he watched intensely and then rewrote here...By the end I was skipping over things. However I came upon many of the ideas which I have seen referenced in other media and therefore respect the inherent ideas behind this work. I didn't love it as much as I hoped I would, but I was pleasantly surprised by some of Thoreau's views, such as against philanthropy, irrational advice-seeking from elders, and eating animals.
Notes
On the advances of civilization -
"While civilization has been improving our houses, it has not equally improved the men who are to inhabit them. It has created palaces, but it was not so easy to create noblemen and kings" (35).
On living simply -
"...to maintain one's self on this earth is not a hardship but a pastime, if we will live simply and wisely; as the pursuits of the simpler nations are still the sports of the more artificial" (76).
"Give me the poverty that enjoys true wealth" (212).
"Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Turn the old; return to them. Things do not change; we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts" (350).
On cooperation with another v. solitude -
"...the man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait until that other is ready, and it may be a long time before they get off" (77).
"I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers. A man thinking or working is always alone, let him be where he will" (145).
On philanthropy and charity (I HIGHLY agree with him here) -
"Philanthropy is almost the only virtue which is sufficiently appreciated by mankind. Nay, it is greatly overrated; and it is our selfishness which overrates it" (82).
On debt and contracts -
"As long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or the county jail" (90).
On mornings -
"Morning brings back the heroic ages... The morning, which is the most memorable season of the day, is the awakening hour" (95).
"Rise free from care before the dawn, and seek adventures" (223).
On eating animals -
"Is it not a reproach that man is a carnivorous animal?...this is a miserable way - as any one who will go to snaring rabbits, or slaughtering lambs, may learn - and he will be regarded as a benefactor of his race who shall teach man to confine himself to a more innocent and wholesome diet" (231).
From the most memorable pages of this book -
"I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by an conscious endeavor" (97).
"Our life is frittered away by detail" (98). L I V E S I M P L Y.
"The nation itself is just an unwieldly and overgrown establishment".
"We are determined to be starved before we are hungry" (99).
On living in the present -
"When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality" (103).
"...my life itself was become my amusement and never ceased to be novel" (121).
This was dense. He would dedicate pages to a group of red ants fighting a group of black ants that he watched intensely and then rewrote here...By the end I was skipping over things. However I came upon many of the ideas which I have seen referenced in other media and therefore respect the inherent ideas behind this work. I didn't love it as much as I hoped I would, but I was pleasantly surprised by some of Thoreau's views, such as against philanthropy, irrational advice-seeking from elders, and eating animals.
Notes
On the advances of civilization -
"While civilization has been improving our houses, it has not equally improved the men who are to inhabit them. It has created palaces, but it was not so easy to create noblemen and kings" (35).
On living simply -
"...to maintain one's self on this earth is not a hardship but a pastime, if we will live simply and wisely; as the pursuits of the simpler nations are still the sports of the more artificial" (76).
"Give me the poverty that enjoys true wealth" (212).
"Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Turn the old; return to them. Things do not change; we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts" (350).
On cooperation with another v. solitude -
"...the man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait until that other is ready, and it may be a long time before they get off" (77).
"I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad among men than when we stay in our chambers. A man thinking or working is always alone, let him be where he will" (145).
On philanthropy and charity (I HIGHLY agree with him here) -
"Philanthropy is almost the only virtue which is sufficiently appreciated by mankind. Nay, it is greatly overrated; and it is our selfishness which overrates it" (82).
On debt and contracts -
"As long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes but little difference whether you are committed to a farm or the county jail" (90).
"There are none happy in the world but beings who enjoy freely a vast horizon" - said Damodara
On mornings -
"Morning brings back the heroic ages... The morning, which is the most memorable season of the day, is the awakening hour" (95).
"Rise free from care before the dawn, and seek adventures" (223).
On eating animals -
"Is it not a reproach that man is a carnivorous animal?...this is a miserable way - as any one who will go to snaring rabbits, or slaughtering lambs, may learn - and he will be regarded as a benefactor of his race who shall teach man to confine himself to a more innocent and wholesome diet" (231).
From the most memorable pages of this book -
"I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by an conscious endeavor" (97).
"Our life is frittered away by detail" (98). L I V E S I M P L Y.
"The nation itself is just an unwieldly and overgrown establishment".
"We are determined to be starved before we are hungry" (99).
On living in the present -
"When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality" (103).
"...my life itself was become my amusement and never ceased to be novel" (121).
some interesting nuggets.
"I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude."
"I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude."
informative
slow-paced
informative
reflective
slow-paced