*Walden* by Henry David Thoreau / Illustrated by Thomas Nathan Publisher: Jiangsu Phoenix Literature and Art Publishing House

Content Description · · · · · ·
Post-wave illustrated classics, renowned translations and famous paintings

Collection of classic illustrations, meticulously polished translations

Thoreau's masterpiece, "Father of the Nature Essay"

Poetic writing exploring the mysteries of nature and the spirit of freedom

First release of the newly revised translation by Sun Zhili, a renowned translator

Complete collection of woodblock prints by Thomas Nast, the "poet printmaker"

Silver-edged top and silver-printed bookplate included

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Editor's Recommendation:

◎ Thoreau's masterpiece, "Father of the Nature Essay · Poet of the Earth"

"Toward the end of March, I borrowed an axe and went into the forest by Walden Pond." — Thoreau lived alone by Walden Pond for two years, "observing, listening, reading, and meditating freely," and began to write the first draft of this book. Over the next seven years, Thoreau revised his manuscript seven times, meticulously crafting it, and this immortal classic of nature literature was finally published.

Walden is hailed as a "supernaturally sacred book" and is one of the "Fifty Books That Changed the World." Robert Frost praised it, saying: "The achievement of this book surpasses any book in America."

This is a poetic chapter exploring the mysteries of nature and pursuing the spirit of freedom. "Thoreau conveyed the voice of the gods, and in this voice was wrapped the splendid beauty of nature."

◇ On Time

Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in.

◇ On Nature

It is very rare, especially in the dark of night, when your thoughts are galloping on the vast celestial evolution of other planets, but you feel this slight tug on your fishing line, interrupting your fantasy and reconnecting you with nature.

◇ On the Soul

You are to be the Columbus of an inner new continent and new world, opening up not new channels of trade, but new channels of thought. Each person is the monarch of a kingdom, and compared to this kingdom, the earthly empire of the Tsar is but a small country, a small hill left by the retreat of glaciers.

◇ On Money

Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but are positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind.

◇ On Life

The true harvest of my daily life, like the hues of dawn or dusk, is elusive and inexpressible. It is like a tiny speck of stardust caught, like a piece of rainbow I grasped.

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◎ First release of the newly revised translation by renowned translator Sun Zhili

This is the first release of the latest revised translation meticulously polished by translator Sun Zhili. This revision "finally elevated the Chinese translation of the book to an appropriate level," striving to present the authentic Walden to the greatest extent possible.

Included before the text are a 4,000-word translator's preface + revised afterword, deeply analyzing the spiritual core of Walden; the translation is sincere and concise, beautiful and expressive, with ingenious handling of difficult phrases, recreating Thoreau's original meaning; the entire book contains nearly 400 detailed annotations, which not only carefully examine allusions and cultural knowledge in the book but also mark wordplay such as puns in the original text.

◎ Accompanied by 56 woodblock prints by Thomas Nast

A complete collection of woodblock prints created by "poet printmaker" Thomas Nast for this book. His prints are delicate and exquisite, vast and rich, vividly depicting the beautiful natural scenery and tranquil life scenes by the lake and in the forest.

American artist John Taylor Arms praised: "Thomas Nast's works are immortal for their grand conception and power of design."

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◎ Special inclusion of Thoreau's hand-drawn Walden Pond map + sketches

◆ Replica of Thoreau's hand-drawn map of Walden Pond (1 sheet):

This map was drawn based on "the survey of Walden Pond" mentioned in Chapter 16, "Walden in Winter," of this book, and was first included in the 1854 first edition of Walden.

◆ Collection of Thoreau's hand-drawn animal and plant sketches (54 illustrations):

These vivid and simple sketches are from Thoreau's journal manuscripts: pine cones, ospreys, tree frogs, rosehips, flying mayflies, otter tracks, woodchuck paw prints... A few strokes bring them to life on the page, depicting the vibrant joy of nature.

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◎ Specially designed collector's slipcase, with a silver-printed bookplate included

◆ Exquisitely bound with a collector's slipcase, opening the slipcase is like stepping into a forest in the morning mist, seeing the clear sky reflected in the lake. Hot stamping + silver printing + silver-edged top, three techniques presenting an elegant texture.

◆ A black card with a silver-printed bookplate is included with the book; the image of the cabin in the woods was hand-drawn by Thoreau's sister, Sophia.

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Content Description:

At the end of March 1845, Thoreau went to Walden Pond, built a small cabin himself, and cultivated a small plot of land by the lake to sustain a minimal life. The cabin had no yard, only nature, unfenced, extended directly to his doorstep. He companioned with the animals and plants in the forest by the pond, freely observing, listening, reading, and meditating. Thoreau called this experience an attempt at simple, reclusive living.