This book is meant for general readers, students, and teachers of Thoreau, from enthusiasts to the mildly curious. Written in an accessible style, drawing on the work of outstanding scholars and critics, it provides information on the full body of Thoreau’s work, his life, and his world, connecting the factors that affected Thoreau’s thought and writing and highlighting his impact, in his time and since. Thoreau is well known as a lyrical nature writer, environmental prophet, rebel against stifling convention and commercialism, advocate of liberating self-direction and self-culture, champion of the power and dignity of individual conscience, and theorist of strategic intervention to protest injustice. He was also a part-time surveyor and pencil maker, natural and cultural historian, student of Native America, phenologist and limnologist and ecologist, verbal landscape painter, ethicist and abolitionist, philosopher, lecturer, and shrewd Transcendentalist. Whether living at Walden Pond or comfortably on Main Street in central Concord, mingling with friends and family, Thoreau made deep inquiries into life and gave all to his craft. Over one hundred brief essays are here conveniently arranged in alphabetical order, with cross references and suggestions for further reading, bringing together in one place abundant information and analysis readers might otherwise have to gather from many different sources. Its readable discussions lead the reader to new insights and a well-rounded picture of the whole human being and his world and work.