I Begin with Spring: The Life and Seasons of Henry David Thoreau [Hardcover]

How can one man living in a cabin in the woods make any kind of a difference? The life and writings of Thoreau are explored in a playful, engaging notebook of a book, showing his influence both then and on people today. This is a dive into the life of Henry David Thoreau, but told in such a way as if you were you reading through one of his journals. Theres a running timeline on the bottom of the pages as the seasons pass noting when the first bank swallow is seen or when he collected white pine cones. It makes a pretty strong case not simply for why Davids life was important (civil disobedience and his vehement dislike of slavery are cited multiple times) but also his work. I found the backmatter on how current climate change scientists are able to use his meticulous notes fascinating. I do wish there had been some mention of the fact that yeah, he lived in the woods but his mom did all his laundry, but all told The seasons and their variations provide a framework for this absorbing biography of Henry David Thoreau (18171862). Starting with Thoreaus springtime forest rambles in Concord, Mass., Dunlap chronicles the figures youthful forays into natural history, going on to note major milestones in the seasons of his life, including his famous move to Walden Pond (the perfect spot to talk with friends about transcendentalism) and his accomplishments as a writer, naturalist, and lecturer. Well-chosen quotes from the naturalists writing are woven throughout the narrative text, including excerpts from his childhood essay The Seasons. Well-chosen quotes from the naturalists writing are woven throughout the narrative text, including excerpts from his childhood essay The Seasons. Scattered across each page, Barratas delicate sketches of flora and fauna are captioned with notes for a nature journal effect, and a timeline of monthly observations appears as a running footer. Dunlap provides useful scientific and historical context, touching on industrialization,l“(