The Maine Woods

Not as philosophical as Walden, but great to read in the morning sitting on the deck drinking coffee. Thoreau seemed to be mellowing when he wrote this: it's less of an indictment of the modern world of his time. He does lament the loss of so many trees in the eponymous woods, but he really seems to be enjoying everything he encounters, from the pork fat for breakfast to the drying of his soggy clothes by the fire to the overwhelming bulk of the moose his guides shoot. The most memorable character here is Joe Polis, his American Indian guide on the second excursion, who is a natural man, a business man, and a philosopher. ( )

The book describes Thoreau's three trips to the Maine woods, lakes and mountains. What I especially like about this book, apart from Thoreau and nature, is that two Native American guides appear in the book and there is quite a lot about them, and also some other Native Americans, apart from the white people. ( )

It's a magnificent journey into the Maine woods. His descriptions of the areas he traveled, the economies & lifestyle were very interesting. The only thing that detracted from this is my dislike of him. He continually borrows what he can't afford with little thought - seems like he feels it is his due. He judges others with an arrogance that is appalling & so offhand. He lacks any empathy towards others. He is fairly intelligent & knowledgeable, but his manner just puts me off. ( )