Walden by Henry Thoreau pg. 1-120

Henry Thoreau's "Walden" is the journal of his two years on Walden Pond, in which he sets out to live independently of society, baring his life to the essentials in an attempt to simplify. He begins by stating his reasons for beginning this social expirement of sorts, discussing how many people spent their lives working their way out of debt for things they didnt need. His reasons go beyond the economic however, attempting to delve beyond what he describes as the "allluvion" that covers the globe, into the solid foundation of life.

He describes all aspects of his life on the pond, from how he built his cabin and grew his food, to his studies and description of the nature around him. Though his writing at times is a bit hard to follow, occasionally wandering into issues pertaining mainly to the 1850s, which arent as immediately relevant, however on the whole the book is far from archaic.