{"product_id":"the-walden-experiments-robert-thorson-9780691265384","title":"The Walden Experiments: The Science of Henry David Thoreau","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eReading Thoreau as a scientist for modern times\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHenry David Thoreau's \u003ci\u003eWalden\u003c\/i\u003e stands as the foundational text for the environmental movement and as a model for the practice of nature writing. In \u003ci\u003eThe Walden Experiments\u003c\/i\u003e, Robert Thorson tells the story of how, after several discarded drafts of social critique, Thoreau resuscitated \u003ci\u003eWalden\u003c\/i\u003e with a sharp swerve toward science. Thorson invites us to read--or reread--\u003ci\u003eWalden\u003c\/i\u003e to discover the observations, empirical thinking, and scientific explanations supporting this canonical work of literature. Chapter by chapter, he guides us through \u003ci\u003eWalden\u003c\/i\u003e's relevance for such contemporary scientific concerns as climate change, ecological collapse, water supply, agriculture, artificial intelligence, and technology. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThoreau'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 \u003ci\u003eWalden\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Robert Thorson\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0691265380\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780691265384\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Princeton University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/29\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 304\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover","brand":"Robert Thorson","offers":[{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":48487486161151,"sku":"9780691265384","price":27.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_72653d37-6c1f-403d-a48b-1b2d1a6dcf26.jpg?v=1778060717","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-walden-experiments-robert-thorson-9780691265384","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}