The True American: On Henry David Thoreau
For a better, more critical take on Mr. Thoreau, see: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.newyorker.com&#x2F;magazine&#x2F;2015&#x2F;10&#x2F;19&#x2F;pond-scum" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.newyorker.com&#x2F;magazine&#x2F;2015&#x2F;10&#x2F;19&#x2F;pond-scum</a><p>&quot;The real Thoreau was, in the fullest sense of the word, self-obsessed: narcissistic, fanatical about self-control, adamant that he required nothing beyond himself to understand and thrive in the world.&quot;<p>Some highlights:<p>-HDT was unmoved by dead bodies from a shipwreck, thought they &quot;enhanced&quot; the beauty of the beach.<p>-A 6&#x27; x 3&#x27; toolshed with air holes would &quot;make a fine home&quot; (he added he was &quot;not jesting&quot;)<p>-He turned up his nose at food: explicitly condemning salt (the &quot;grossest of groceries&quot;) and jam and exhorted readers to limit themselves to 1 meal a day, at most<p>-He despised his admirers and was superior, condescending and rude, referring to his fellow Concordians as &quot;pygmies and manikins.&quot;<p>-He didn&#x27;t believed in philanthropy or helping others because it he had &quot;tried it fairly&quot; but it &quot;didn&#x27;t agree with [his] constitution.&quot;<p>Read on for more.<p>There are many great 19th C American writers (some ex: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.thoughtco.com&#x2F;notable-authors-of-the-19th-century-1773693" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.thoughtco.com&#x2F;notable-authors-of-the-19th-centur...</a>). HDT is not one of them, IMHO.