Journals Books

Henry David Thoreau's journal is his masterpiece, and somewhat different to his more polished works.

This is by far the best way to experience his journal, too. Short excerpted collections are problematic because you cannot get used to the flow of his writing, and the changing nature of it over the lifespan of the journal. This book, which is the full year of 1851, may contain less-than-stellar entries, but it also contains some rippers, and is definitely the best way to experience it. It was about this time in his life that Thoreau decided to stop using his journal just as a source for his other books, and rather to create it for its own sake. And it shows - this is not writing to be chopped up and excerpted, but to be enjoyed in its entirety.

The best possible introduction to the masterpiece of his life - 5 stars.

Thoreau's journals are an insight into the man who thrived on simplicity. This book captures the years in which he was making his final revisions on "Waldon." His journal reflects his masterpiece and his book is then reflected back into his journal writings. If you are at all interested in Thoreau's writings, this is a needed companion to understand such a brilliant mind.

Many readers exposure to Thoreau's published self-contained books like _Walden_ and _The Maine Woods_ are intrigued enough to look deeper. Inevitably, you end up with the Journals.

The journals are so long and copious, that it can be hard to decide where to start. I don't know off-hand how many pages or words there are, but there are enough of Thoreau's Journals out there to last you 3 to 5 years of reading.

So! You should buy this starter book to introduce you to the flavor of the Journals. If you also read some of the Biographies out there, you learn that Thoreau's life went through some distinct periods, which will be reflected in the different Journals. Many folks think 1851 was a magic and expanding year for him, and that's why this book follows this year alone.

My only complaint about the book using this time frame is that it sort of Pornographically selects from all the years of the Journals--and pornographically selects from 1851. As if all T's days were charmed, all rich with experience.

But the Journal selections excerpted here and this book as a whole have many good qualities that outway my only complaint. They are:

1.--This book follows a year, and T was very much influenced by the seasons. Coming full circle in a year with T is good reading.

2.--The book doesn't try to do too much. If an Introduction book does its job, it should leave you wanting more deep info on the subject. This book did that for me.

3.--There are a couple-few cool replications of drawings T did in his journal. Bonus points for these.

Overall, the subject material here is awesome. If you only know Thoreau through his published "books" and if you like them (especially the naturalist part of them), the Journals will change your world. This book does a solid good job of introducing you to the Journals.

What a wonderful book! I found two perfect places to vacation AND practice yoga by reading this book (one in Europe, the other in Hawaii). This is a must have for both beginning and advanced yogis.

Jeanne Ricci gives us enough information to let us chose the site that best fits our individual needs.
Exactly what i needed to sift through the good to get to the great!
thanks Jeanne.

Yoga for many is not just a way of getting in shape or a way of reducing stress--it is more of a way of life or a path. As a result, yoga for these people tends to inform much of the decisions in life from grocery shopping to planning trips.
This is a great book for the later. I am presently using this book to plan a trip in the Winter, and there are so many great yoga adventures profiled that it will be hard to decide.
This is truely a wonderfully written and organized book for the people out there who want to put their toes in the sand and relax in the tropical breezes, but who also want a well-instructed yoga class to do once or twice a day.

This is a daily journal that will help you track your progress with eating, exercising and life-style, such as social activity, etc. It is easy to use and an indispensable companion to a great book "Younger Next Year" which also comes in a special edition for women. Highly recommend using the journal faithfully, because it will show you why your program is working - or why it is not!

I am 59 years old and have just started Pilates. I also walk about 3 miles a week. I am glad to have a way of keeping daily track of what I am accomplishing by exercising and eating right. We are our choices --- and this book will remind you to make the right ones and to keep the promises you make to yourself. Pamela D. Blair, Author The Next Fifty Years: A Guide for Women at Mid-Life And Beyond

Very pleased with the journal and hope to put it to use. Journaling can be a lot of help when trying to reach health and diet goals.

This is a great item for first time parents! Also a great way to preserve memories of your child's busy first years. I love it and highly recomend it.

This was a great book for any new mother and it relieves some of the guilt when you are away from your child and miss some of those most precious moments. A great gift!

Great book! All you need to know about raising children and to the point. Give a copy of this to your nanny or baby sitter for Christmas or make it required reading.

I'm not a big-game hunter and am not interested in becoming one, but I knew I would love this book when I read an excerpt in Sports Afield. Hunters will find much to admire in it, but it is about much more than hunting. The author proves himself an amiable, enthusiastic, reliable, and knowledgeable companion as he blends his compelling stories with a great deal of useful information about traveling to and within Africa. He manages to do it all with skillful literary touches and enough light-hearted moments to keep a reader chuckling. And he never blows smoke up your skirt. This is the straight dope -- and it conjures up the sights, sounds, and smells of one of the planet's most magical places.

David Graham of the Flint Journal was the critic who recommended this book. He said it brought back the verve and honor to the safari genre. He couldn't have been more correct.

This book is not just for hunters-- it is for anyone looking for an adventure tale that occurs in real time. Sure, there's good stuff for travelers to Africa to know, but the meat of this book is the journey. It is simply very well done.

Oh, the photography is stunning. It should have been a coffee table book simply for the quality of the photos.

Africa veterans will remember their first trip with smiles and tears, Africa virgins will have their dreams burn all the brighter.

I was wondering when I ordered this devotional if it would be another "cliche" devotional. I get weary of those. But this one pleasantly surprised me. I am not a typical outdoorsman, but more of an athletics lover, so was wondering if this would be irrelevant to my life inparticular, and only interesting to those who were avid outdoor sportsmen. I have a few friends who I was wanting to consider this book for for giftgiving. A few, just fishermen, a couple hunters, but most not so serious at it that they get out more than once a year. What I liked about this book is that the little vignettes for each day are so engaging. You don't ever have to have stepped outside your back yard to enjoy the stories and want for more than just a days worth in a sitting. I found myself thinking, ah, just one more story. I ended up ordering several for gifts, and reccommending many others to consider it as a purchase for their sportsmen, or actually, I know this is kind of tacky, for their "bathroom." It's a great bathroom read, except one can get carried away, with "just one more story" and your legs can go to sleep. I know, I know, TMI TMI TMI!!!!!!

Tyler Lebens, the author of 30 Days of Woods and Water has put together a wonderful combination of journaling, story telling and inspirational devotion that will minister to people in all walks of a spiritual journey. I would highly recommend this devotional journal to anyone who enjoys any activity in God's great outdoors.

Like my title said: A GREAT OL'READ, but without getting old,
or like me, redundant.

I have read the first satire, "A Christmas Carol" four times now, and it is ever more pointed, sharp, and uproariously funny. Lapham shows off his love of words, rolling description, and deep intelligence, and boundless sense of humor, in a collection of essays and stories that stand with the greatest of satires. Twain, Mencken, Bierce, move over for Lewis Lapham.

This book is excellent in every way - practical, helpful, encouraging, easy to identify with and definitely encourages a deeper and more satisfying relationship with God. Very well written -

This book was given to me as a gift. At first glance I thought it to be just another devotional or book of prayers. I was wrong. The introduction is superb in its description of prayer, holding great definitions of our privileged job of talking to our Creator. The practical, personal testimonies of this introduction increase the credibility of the co-authors. The introduction made me want to keep on turning the pages. I was not disappointed. The day by day guides were fresh, succinct and personally very helpful for me. Having the numbered days insured my success in keeping track if I got behind. I wanted to cover all the issues. I like this book so much that I am ordering copies for my whole family so that we can use the guide together this summer. I'm also ordering a few more to have on hand for gifts. It is always valuable to have quality books to give away that I know will truly help another grow closer to the Savior.

If you liked this book, also try "The Healing Journey" series of self help journals by Phil Rich. The first two -- "The Healing Journey" and "The Healing Journey for Couples", are journaling books written to help people learn how to journal and what to journal about. The others in the series focus on specific life issues.

The book showed the though challenges in a teenagers life and how to deal with competition, people, peer pressure, and more. Pages filled with cartoons, quotes, and pictures. Great for any teen that wants to be sucessful in life.

A wonderful book on women. A real insight to the topic of women' s everyday life and problems. Excellent read.

Fascinating, well worth a look, especially if you are interested in a woman's birds eye view of life, the universe and everything in the last 800 years. Samuel Pepys move over!