It teaches us to appreciate life and nature.

I only read the Civil Disobedience essay. I'm having trouble thinking of anything to say other than "What an insufferable prat Thoreau must have been." A long-winded essay in which he (correctly) finds fault with a government that supports slavery and the Mexican American War, and explains that the only possible solution is to not pay your taxes.

I will try to keep this short as possible, because I am still pondering over his writing. Before I forget, something must be said.My lovely husband, who doesn't enjoy reading, only recommended two books to me, which are 1984, and this one. I read 1984, but I shrugged this one off. I didn't think it looked very appealing. After the recommendation, Henry David Thoreau kept popping up. While reading I am Martin Luther King Jr , a children's book, to my daughter his worked was mentioned to have influenced Mr. King. Forever, I thought why wasn't he ever mentioned to me before, but still I shrugged it off. Another book I read to my daughter mentioned him again, but I cannot recall the name. Lately, my husband has been quoting him. Eventually, I thought it was a sign for me to read his work. Honestly, I am glad I did. I might not agree with everything he said, but his arguments are strong. I found him to be this simple, strong, free thinker, who really thinks outside the box. It was really enlightening to me. I felt like this little patch of fog cleared from my mind, which still leaves me pondering what is right and wrong. At times a smile would come across my face, because he does, I thought, have interesting perspectives that are still relatable to this day, or things I somewhat agree with. I can see how his work influenced so many people to fight what is wrong with society, and to never back down from what you believe in. Maybe, I just wont pay my taxes. I am just kidding. Or simplest of things, like walking, could be the greatest influence in your life. How much can you enjoy from a walk in the woods? Can you let your soul wander, to freely think without succumbing to society? There are more questions to ask yourself, if you decided to read his work. I gave it four stars, because sometimes my thoughts would wander from the page, and some song would become hyper focused. A lot of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong were playing in my head. Therefore, I would have to re-read sentences, because I wasn't really retaining the information.At the end, I can see why my husband admires Henry David Thoreau, and I think I have a greater understanding what he thinks about society, and life. I do not understand why he joined the military if he thought similarly to Mr. Thoreau, but I can't get all the answers. I do feel a little bit closer to my dearest, because we have two different political views. We had to ban political talks. I hope everyone gets a chance to read his essays once. I did learn something from his work, and I hope you would too.

Written for days past, written for today. Thoreau's discontent with the government is a present issue around the world... And it should be here. So many of our legislators, as in Thoreau's time, are not skilled at legislation and are so disconnected from the people and our needs. I think the title of the mini-book leads some to believe that Thoreau is completely anti-government - not true. He says time and again that a government that is worthy of his respect is one that he will live under. He also points out some of the good of the government of his time. A very quick read, it should leave you to question your involvement in/support of our current system. It did for me.

GutenbergOpening: [1849, original title: Resistance to Civil Goverment]I heartily accept the motto, "That government is best which governs least"; and I should like to see it acted up to more rapidly and systematically. Carried out, it finally amounts to this, which also I believe"That government is best which governs not at all"; and when men are prepared for it, that will be the kind of government which they will have. Government is at best but an expedient; but most governments are usually, and all governments are sometimes, inexpedient. The objections which have been brought against a standing army, and they are many and weighty, and deserve to prevail, may also at last be brought against a standing government. The standing army is only an arm of the standing government. The government itself, which is only the mode which the people have chosen to execute their will, is equally liable to be abused and perverted before the people can act through it. Witness the present Mexican war, the work of comparatively a few individuals using the standing government as their tool; for in the outset, the people would not have consented to this measure.