Tag Archives | Thoreau

1920px-Grave_of_Henry_David_Thoreau-768x576

Losing Thoreau in Boston – Counterpunch

Counterpunch, July 22, 2020 Losing Thoreau in Boston by James Bovard Henry David Thoreau has inspired generation of Americans to live fuller, freer lives. From his story of spending a night in jail as a tax protestor in “Civil Disobedience” to his chronicle of solitary living in Walden, Thoreau reached higher ground by going against […]

Continue Reading
thoreau 1896 drawing copyright free Henry_David_Thoreau_by_Vallotton

Losing Thoreau in Boston

Mises Institute, July 11, 2020 You Don’t Have to “Cultivate Poverty” to Pursue Truth, Contrary to Thoreau by James Bovard Henry David Thoreau has inspired generation of Americans to live fuller, freer lives. From his story of spending a night in jail as a tax protestor in “Civil Disobedience” to his chronicle of solitary living […]

Continue Reading
john-brown-1

Thoreau and Emerson Helped Spark the Civil War

American Conservative, July 9, 2020 19th Century Radical Chic: How Transcendentalists’ Swooned Over John Brown Thoreau and Emerson’s effort to canonize the abolitionist fanatic helped spark the Civil War.  by  Jim Bovard Many Americans have been aghast at violent mobs toppling statues and the widespread looting and destructive rampages that followed the killing of George […]

Continue Reading

Rediscovering the Classics Under Quarantine

American Conservative, March 30, 2020 Rediscovering the Classics Under Quarantine by James Bovard Thanks to coronavirus closings in most states, tens of millions of kids are at home for weeks or even the rest of the school year. This is an ideal opportunity to revive the natural love of reading that many young people have […]

Continue Reading
thoreau Appletons'_Thoreau_Henry_David

Happy 200th Birthday, Thoreau!

Henry David Thoreau was born 200 years ago this week.  His books and essays had a huge influence on my own life and writing.  At its best,  Thoreau’s writing is utterly captivating  – series of vivid images and  one thought after another driven home with a sledgehammer. In my late teens and early twenties, I used some […]

Continue Reading