Henry Thoreau, as Remembered by a Young Friend

Thoreau was without a doubt one of the most fascinating literary figures in American history. While his essays and ideas are subject to much criticism, this small book gives you an interesting insight into the man that most people never knew he was. Written by Edward Waldo Emerson, we get a first hand account of Thoreau's life from a slightly biased, but none-the-less interesting point of view. This pieces includes a lot of anecdotes and things that we may have never learned about Thoreau without Emerson having shared them with us. Definitely made me respect the man more than I did prior to reading this memoir.

This book is a glowing account of Thoreau's character, written later in life by Ralph Waldo Emerson's son Edward. Edward knew Thoreau up until the latter's death in 1862, when Edward was about 17. He has supplemented his own memory with interviews and anectdotes given him by other Concord citizens who knew the Thoreau family. These writings are a valuable resource for anyone who is researching Thoreau, with its humanizing slant and defence of its subject against perceived misunderstandings by the public. Any Thoreau fan will find this brief tract illuminating and amusing.