Thoreau And the Art of Life: Percepts and Principles

Thoreau's work, largely ignored during his lifetime, continues to grow in influence and to inspire and confound readers. ? Thoreau and the Art of Life takes a fresh perspective on Thoreau's work, most of which dealt in some way with living what he described as the ?good life?: simplicity, living close to nature, solitude, leisure and reflection. This book examines the principles Thoreau espoused and successfully lived, as well as the principles he tried to live but was unable to or that otherwise proved impractical, and what can be learned from his struggles and contradictions. In his numerous books and 14-volume journal, Thoreau explored the subject of living a good life, a conscious life, a harmonious life from diverse, sometimes contrary, perspectives. Thoreau and the Art of Life extracts from his works hundreds of thought-provoking quotes about his life, the life that Thoreau lived, tried to live, or thought he should live.