Walden and Civil Disobedience

By: Henry David Thoreau

Narrated by: Daniel Adam Day, Sam Torode

This audiobook includes both of Henry David Thoreau's most popular and enduring works, the book Walden and the essay "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience."

Public Domain (P)2018 American Renaissance Books

Great for Sleep

Beautifully written and incredibly dull.
Walden is a great book to put on to fall asleep to, and I don't say that as an insult, it's actually one of my favorite things to listen to to get my mind off things and drift off. The prose is flowery and makes you think about the words as much as the meaning behind them, which ultimately end up talking about pretty Tame and mundane tasks sprinkled with poetry and philosophy. The non-excitement helps lull you to sleep.

A Libertarian Manifesto of sorts

I had only dabbled in Thoreau before this. It was advantageous to read these two entries together, consecutively as it were, because Walden gives a firm and comprehensive context of the author; then Civil Disobedience relays the bulk of his views and perception of society. The author’s ideas are relatable and relevant even far more than a century after publishing. It also was striking as he was talking about slavery and the current affairs of his time, I kept remembering, like, oh yeah this is before Lincoln and the civil war and abolition and all that. And Thoreau is a New Englander, so it’s a very poignant take on things. Would recommend to any friends who are intellectually inclined.

Not what I expected

I chose this book because I thoroughly enjoy Alan Skalar’s version of Walden on the Calm app. Alan’s intro clearly states that it has been edited for sleepiness, like many books on the app. :)

In listening to much of this book, I have found that the Calm version includes all of the parts which I am interested in. In listening to the unabridged version, I find that the contents can be divided into about 10% a story of a man choosing to live simply for a couple years in home he built in the woods, and 90% unorganized ramblings of criticism and belittlement of his peers.

On a positive note, I enjoyed the voice of Daniel Adam Day, and the quality of the audio recording was good and seamless.

I will be exchanging this title after I finish this review. Not what I was looking for. But so glad audible gives me the chance to exchange and find something more suited to my tastes!!