The Essential Henry David Thoreau (Illustrated Collection of the Thoreau's Greatest Works) (eBook)

Henry David Thoreau (July 12, 1817 – May 6, 1862) was an American essayist, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, and historian. A leading transcendentalist, Thoreau is best known for his book 'Walden,' a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay 'Civil Disobedience' (originally titled 'Resistance to Civil Government'), an argument for disobedience to an unjust state. Thoreau's philosophy of civil disobedience later influenced the political thoughts and actions of such notable figures as Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. Thoreau studied at Harvard University before settling in Concord, Massachusetts, where he became a protégé of fellow transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson. Embracing the transcendentalist belief in the inherent goodness of both people and nature, Thoreau's writings are a prescient critique of the dehumanizing effects of modern capitalism and a seminal contribution to the environmentalist movement. 'The Essential Henry David Thoreau (Illustrated Collection of the Thoreau's Greatest Works)' facilitates a comprehensive understanding of Thoreau's literary and philosophical contributions. It encompasses his breadth of thought and reflects his multifaceted relationship with his environment. Thoreau's works remain highly influential, and his ideas continue to resonate in contemporary discussions concerning social justice and environmental ethics.