By Duane Rollins in Newsletter — Aug 6, 2020

1-Min Summary of The Classics: Walking by Henry David Thoreau

Good writing changes lives. Great writing reshapes whole civilizations.

What are the most influential pieces of writing you’ve ever read?

Patrick Oshaughnessy asked his Twitter audience this same question and the full list of essays can be found here.

I’m summarizing these essays from my point of view (i.e. not yours). Take the time to read them yourself and make your own judgments.

First up is Walking by Henry David Thoreau.

Overall Rating

3/5. It felt wordy and overdramatized, sort of like when you see an actor overact a scene. It did have a few profound thoughts though.

In short, it wasn’t for me but it has moved a generation of people so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

Go outside and learn from nature through exploration. Don’t live an idle life. Explore and earn a name for yourself through your actions.

”It is pitiful when a man bears a name for convenience merely, who has earned neither name or fame.”

Read the whole essay here (30 min read).