Henry David Thoreau (placeholder)

I got to know him through his writings.
Striking a powerful chord from within, Thoreau still communicates his visions of simplicity, justice, and freedom to the people of today.

A great back-to-the-lander, connected with his heart, and a authentic beacon even still today.

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan- like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion. ” those words have guided me before I could fully understand them.

Surprisingly easy read for a nineteenth century naturalist…flowing, interesting and graceful…

“I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately…”

One of the most influential writers to me. This quote hangs on my wall:
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”

Name a son after the big book, what do you expect?