Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

Wilderness Writing Series:
The "Wilderness Writing Series" typically refers to a collection of literary works focused on the natural world, often including narratives about exploration, survival in the wilderness, and the beauty of natural landscapes, with prominent authors like John Muir being commonly featured in such series, showcasing his detailed descriptions of his experiences in the American wilderness. The central theme is the human relationship with nature, often exploring the challenges and wonders of spending time in wild, untamed environments.

Our National Parks by John Muir
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
My First Summer in the Sierra by John Muir
Roughing It by Mark Twain
The Grand Canyon Expedition: The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons by John Wesley Powell
Travels in Alaska by John Muir
Nature and Other Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Steep Trails by John Muir
White Fang by Jack London
Canoeing in the Wilderness by Henry David Thoreau
Wilderness Days by Sigurd F Olson 1972
Walden; or, Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau
Wilderness Essays by John Muir

I found this list and did not realize there was such a series. Thought I would share.
Anyone interested in reading any of these?

Walden, perhaps, Lesle. I got my copy from Standard Ebooks.

Jim
I have this copy

Walden, or, Life in the Woods

I would not mind reading this with you at some point, if you like Jim.

Anyone else thinking about reading any of these wilderness classics.
Some we have read in the past, but possibly new to you!
If you have read any please share your thoughts as I hope to read several on this list.

I have read a couple of Jack London's classics but would love to hear what you think about maybe one I have not.

I enjoyed Jack London’s The Call of the Wild. I read it in one of my literature classes and many class members hated it but I loved it. I’m a fan of antihero stories.

Mix
Buck's transformation from a spoiled pet to an wild creature, he becomes this because of his surroundings, is almost a coming of age story that comes about gradually.
I did not like the brutality of it but he came to be so much stronger.

I’ll read Walden, Lesle. I read it years ago as a young lad. A Barnes and Noble hardcover from 1993. I miss going to Barnes and Noble with friends. I still have that copy and would love to revisit it. I remember almost nothing from my high school read. Walden seems to be broken up into 10 page sections (occasionally more than ten pages) in my edition.

Chad I would not mind reading Walden. I have not read it.

I did get the Muir Classic about the Our National Parks in the mail yesterday.

I had read "The Call of the Wild" by Jack London. I really enjoyed it. Here is my review on it.

https://youtu.be/QKeAyfYYjNY

Lesle wrote: "Chad I would not mind reading Walden. I have not read it.

I did get the Muir Classic about the Our National Parks in the mail yesterday."

I would love to read both of those this year, Lesle.

Let me know and I will try to read one of them if not both with you! I think they would be interesting reads.

Lesle wrote: "Let me know and I will try to read one of them if not both with you! I think they would be interesting reads."

Agreed. I just ordered a copy of Our National Parks so I’m fully invested. Please override this suggestion without a second thought but I’m thinking Walden in April and Our National Parks towards the end of the summer. How does that hit you?

Sounds great to me Chad. Just give me a heads up when ready!

Lesle wrote: "Sounds great to me Chad. Just give me a heads up when ready!"

Will do. Looking forward to both of them.

"Come to the woods, for here is rest... Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees." --John Muir

The Transplanted (1944) 135 pgs by Frederick Niven Niven depicts the rise of B.C.’s interior ranching, lumbering and mining industries and their effects on a broad range of characters. Two transplanted men from Glasgow, Robert Wallace and Jock Galbraith, maintain a strong bond despite difficulties. Robert Wallace is a shrewd visionary who becomes a builder of Canada, opening up the town of Elkhorn.

Niven was British Columbia’s first professional man of letters and the first significant literary figure of the Kootenays. He lived by his wits, as an independent writer, mainly on the outskirts of Nelson, from 1920 until 1944. Although some of his more than 40 titles were written to keep the wolf from the door, such as Cinderella of Skookum Creek (1916), by contrast, Niven’s collection of 16 short stories called Above Your Heads (1911) consisted exclusively of stories rejected by editors who believed their content would be “over the heads” of readers.

I found this of interest this morning. I have added this one to my wish list to purchase.

I've read The Flying Years, 1935, which is the first part of a trilogy. The second is Mine Inheritance1940, followed by The Transplanted.

Another book set in B.C. is Woodsmen of the West by Martin Allerdale Grainger.

Thank you Rosemarie for the new author information of Grainger.

Did you like Niven's writing style?

I enjoyed the book, but it's been a while since I read it. I didn't know about the sequels. I hope the library has his books.

He seems very interesting.

"But the Wild is the Wild, and motherhood is motherhood, at all times fiercely protective whether in the Wild or out of it." - - Jack London

Are you up for reading Walden in April, Lesle?

Im in for sure!
Just need to locate it.
Which Ive been working on reorganizing my classics better.

Great! I figure that two chapters a week pretty much gets it done (if you find your copy). How do you feel about that?
Anyone else want to join in?

I am thinking about this as I read it so many, many years ago.

Chad two chapters a week sounds good.
I am sure I will find it.

Steven I know you have read it before, but I find when there has been a large spell inbetween my thoughts on the read could be different or even more enjoyed than before. Remembering things that has slipped your mind is my favorite part!!

Jim are you still thinking about reading this one?

Would be great if a couple more Members could join in!!

Looking forward to joining in - was able to download a free copy for my Kindle.

Thats great Steven!

Excellent, Steven and Lesle. I look forward to this.

I finally found my book!!!
Woohoo

I can start anytime though no rush.

Chad and Steven
I know we are behind on this but I am ready to start this read if you both are?

Sure, I actually picked it up and have read the first couple of chapters. Can wait there until you all catch up.

No worries Steven.

Work and family always come first with me and it is Mothers day weekend and I am working today.

You can go ahead if you like. I do hope to start today. I started to read it last night and fell asleep lol.

I am in no hurry whatsoever. Take your time and let me know when you finish chapter one. I have plenty of books on the shelf to keep me company in the meantime.

Sounds good Steven! Thanks

I started reading Walden or, Life in the Woods over the weekend.
The Introduction and the Chronology list were a lot to get through just to start. Not sure ever if it helps the read or not.

The first section is called Economy the title in itself is kind of misleading as he starts out trying to describe what he thinks is the actual need of man.

A quote I found of interest:
"the slave and prisoner of his own opinion of himself"

I tend to find this of myself. Not by his meaning but by my own thought of myself. I tend to think I am an achiever of anything I set my mind to and if I fail at the challenge I am very hard on myself and try my best to make it happen.
My opinion is I am capable of doing anything and am my hardest critic as I tend to think I can solve and do anything I set my mind too.

To build a cabin that is 10 X 15 feet for $28.12 is not even doable in this day, but it is what he did. With two windows and a chimney.

Squatters rights? Does that even exist today?

His thought process descriptions are a bit stretched for me. The detail is more than necessary to get his point made.

What did you think of his buying James Collin's shanty for its boards, only to make James and his family homeless. Thoreau at six the next morning, "I passed him and his family on the road. One large bundle held their all - bed, coffee-mill, looking glass, hens -- all but the cat." The poor cat was later found dead in a woodchuck trap. Hmmm, this seemed pretty harsh to me.

Steven it did seem very harsh.
But it really did not seem to phase him at all.

I would agree with him though that "good, sweet, wholesome bread," the staff of life" -- I love good, fresh-baked bread.

Steven wrote: "I would agree with him though that "good, sweet, wholesome bread," the staff of life" -- I love good, fresh-baked bread."

Just like ground coffee...the smell in so intriguing.

Agree. Add books to coffee and bread and what else does one really need. Well, maybe a big, comfortable chair.

At end of capture 1 he states, "found that, by working about six weeks in a year, I could meet all the expenses of living." If only that would work for the rest of the world.

at the risk of a spoiler
Among the Henry Davidisms that have helped me over the decades:
That light which blinds is darkness
Most men are afraid of the dark, although candles and Christianty have been introduced.

There is a third, I can only approximate:
There is no pain greater than a pleasure too long experienced.

I do like this:

Simplify, simplify. Instead of three meals a day, if it be necessary eat but one; instead of a hundred dishes, five; and reduce other things in proportion.

If only it would be so much cheaper than $35 at Wendy's for the two Grandsons and myself!!

I do wonder if it is true that as most of us I believe think that life was simpler in the 1800s. People were more self-sufficient, but that in itself complicated things. There was no social net, healthcare was limited along with many medical unknowns, aging presented a problem, lack of refrigerator, etc.

I found this interesting, "Homer has never yet been printed in English, nor AEschylus, nor Virgil even" (p.52) -- makes me curious about when translating into English became popular.

Lesle wrote: "I do like this:

Simplify, simplify. Instead of three meals a day, if it be necessary eat but one; instead of a hundred dishes, five; and reduce other things in proportion.

If only it would be so..."


Thing is in my case, I would gladly eat the 100 things stretched out so that it could be counted as one meal.

Steven wrote: "I do wonder if it is true that as most of us I believe think that life was simpler in the 1800s. People were more self-sufficient, but that in itself complicated things. There was no social net, he..."

I will skip the name of the director, but a recent movie had the main plot device that there was a magic cab in Paris, that would take its passengers to their favorite time in Parisian history. The character would take the same cab back in the early AM. One character makes much use of the cab, until a romantic interest in that time gone by suggests that the visitor could skip the return ride, and thus stay in this particular 'golden age".

His reply:
That would be terrible, what if I needed dental work!