Henry David Thoreau kept a journal from his twenties on, writings which would serve as the basis for his books, and eventually fill forty-seven volumes. Searls, an author and translator, selects excerpts from 1837 to 1861 choosing passages he feels reflect the journal in its entirety, and maintain the balance of the seasons. Entries are organized with the date on the left and Thoreau's age on the right, and although abridged, read smoothly and are devoid of explanatory notes or other interferrence of flow. The work contains an introduction by Searls explaining his selection process and a preface by John R. Stilgoe. A chronology is provided along with suggested readings but there is no index. Annotation 2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
