For At McKay here and welcome to another edition of the Art of Manliness Podcast.

The two years, two months and two days, Henry David Thoreau spent at Walden Pond, represent

one of the most well-known experiences in American literary and philosophical history.

Thoreau's time at Walden has become something of a legend, one that is alternately lionized

and criticized.

Yet, though many people know of Thoreau's experience at Walden, and the book he wrote about

it, far fewer really understand its wise, what's in house.

My guest, whose dedicated is career to study Thoreau, will unpack the off-miss nuances

and common misconceptions about Walden.

His name is Jeffrey S. Kramer, and he's the curator of collections at the Walden Woods

project, as well as the author and editor of numerous books about Thoreau, including

Walden, a fully annotated edition.

To end the show, Jeffrey explains the reason Thoreau went to Walden, which wasn't originally

to write about the experience in which ended up evolving over time.

We discussed what Walden Pond was like, the dimensions and furnishings of the house Thoreau

built on its shores, and how he spent his days there.

Jeffrey explains why Thoreau left Walden, how he was less attached to the experience than

we commonly assume, and how the significance of the experience came less from living it

and more from writing about it.

We then discuss how Walden the book became a classic, despite an initially slow start,

before turning to what Jeffrey thinks of the common criticism of it, and the popular

impulse to tear Thoreau down.

...