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Book Review of The Thoreau You Don't Know: What the Prophet of Environmentalism Really Meant

The Thoreau You Don't Know: What the Prophet of Environmentalism Really Meant
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Robert Sullivan takes the reader on a tour of Henry David Thoreaus life a tour very different from those who co-opt Thoreaus for some political or philosophical end (i.e., environmentalists, politicians, etc.).

What we learn is that Thoreau was actually a bit of a nerd (or seen to be by his contemporaries such as Emerson). We learn that Thoreaus venture into the woods was much more leisurely and much less extreme an adventure than one would think just by reading select excerpts in American Literature high school anthologies.

We learn about Thoreau, the man, full of complexities and contradictions. Less pure icon. More pure human. But a human being way ahead of his time.

Those with any interest in Thoreau at all, will likely find this an interesting read.