Walden

About “Walden”

Walden is a non-fiction work by Henry David Thoreau, first published in 1854. It reflects on his experience living simply in a cabin near Walden Pond, on land owned by his friend Ralph Waldo Emerson. The book covers his time there over two years, two months, and two days. Thoreau combines personal reflection with detailed observations of nature. He records the characteristics of plants and animals, the properties of water, and the freezing and thawing of the pond. He also describes his efforts to measure the depth of Walden Pond. The work blends elements of personal philosophy, social commentary, and scientific inquiry.