The Walden Experiments
The Science of Henry David Thoreau
Robert Thorson
Henry David Thoreau’s Walden stands as the foundational text for the environmental movement and as a model for the practice of nature writing. In The Walden Experiments, Robert Thorson tells the story of how, after several discarded drafts of social critique, Thoreau resuscitated Walden with a sharp swerve toward science. Thorson invites us to read—or reread—Walden to discover the observations, empirical thinking, and scientific explanations supporting this canonical work of literature. Chapter by chapter, he guides us through Walden’s relevance for such contemporary scientific concerns as climate change, ecological collapse, water supply, agriculture, artificial intelligence, and technology.
Thoreau’s first “experiment” of living deliberately took place in a one-room house at Walden Pond from 1845 to 1847. This was followed from 1851 to 1852 by a little-known second experiment of trying to live deliberately in the midst of society as a sojourning scientist. Thorson’s account of a science-revitalized version of Walden helps us appreciate Thoreau’s masterpiece not only for its prophetic, lyrical, uplifting, witty, and timeless advice on living sustainably, but also as a historic benchmark for anchoring our modern solutions.
Exploring the science that underlies Walden enhances our understanding of the deeper meanings Thoreau draws from nature.
Published by Princeton University Press
Praise for The Walden Experiments
If Walden is a wild ride, The Walden Experiments is a little wilder. It invites readers to shake off their disciplinary shackles, jump out of their silos, and try to reconnect with the wild roots of the sciences, in hope that embracing wildness will give us the intellectual courage we need for the preservation of the world. —Science Magazine
“Deep insights into America’s founding naturalist.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Thorson makes a powerful case, adding momentum to the growing chorus of voices emphasizing the need for a holistic understanding of our world, joining STEM and the humanities, to guide us in how we approach the environmental, climate, and sustainability challenges of today.”—Elaina Hancock, UConn Today
