Henry David Thoreau, known for his hermit lifestyle at Walden Pond, was actually a "gossipy young man who loved eating popcorn, ice skating and listening to his music box," according to book critic Maureen Corrigan. He despised the rise of capitalism, and outlined ways to avoid falling into the pitfalls of capitalism. He maintained an active life within the political circles of the area-even hosting an Abolitionist's meeting at his cabin!- and prescribed people to throw out the newspaper. 

Two decades ago, Robert D. Richardson of Smithsonian Magazine described the book: "Walden is a self-help book, perhaps the ultimate self-help book, urging us to show up for our own lives, to have the courage to find our own convictions and to try to live them out." 

Let's delve into this, shall we?