Saturday, January 14, 2023

Of Walden Pond: Henry David Thoreau, Frederic Tudor, and the Pond Between by Lesa Cline-Ransome and Ashley Benham Yazdani! [Review & Giveaway]

ISBN: 9780823448586
Hardcover | $18.99 US

My thoughts: 
A beautifully illustrated and written book. Thoreau and his life at Walden pond is familiar as his writings were a source of study when I was in school. Mr. Tudor I had never heard of. As much as Mr. Thoreau loved and protected Walden pond and his own privacy, this story of Mr. Tudor's blossoming ice business really came as a surprise to me. Though it was not even mentioned in this book, I can only imagine the stress Tudor's presence and his invasive ice harvest at Walden pond had on Thoreau and how Thoreau might have opposed it.

The story is basically about Tudor's success in creating a market for the ice that topped Walden pond and which he had cut into blocks and shipped to India. The "bounty" of Walden pond for both men is touched upon - the ice for Tudor and the "inspiration" for Thoreau. 

The text speaks to Thoreau's limited touch upon the natural resources of Walden pond with his tiny cabin in the woods where he had just enough room to write of the wonders of nature and the waters of Walden pond.

I really like this book and it gives a brief bio-introduction into Walden pond, Thoreau, and Tudor.

About the book:  Thoreau and Tudor could not have been more different from each other. Yet both shared the bounties of Walden Pond and would change the course of history through their writings and innovations.

This study in opposites contrasts the austere philosopher with the consummate capitalist (whose innovations would change commercial ice harvesting and home refrigerator s) to show how two seemingly conflicting American legacies could be built side by side.

Oddball 
tax dodger
nature lover
dreamer
That's what they called
Thoreau.

Bankrupt
disgrace
good for nothing
dreamer
That's what they called
Tudor.

Celebrated author Lesa Cline-Ransome takes her magnificent talent for research and detail to plumb the depths of these two history-makers. The graceful text is paired with Ashley Benham-Yazdani's period accurate watercolor and pencil artwork. In winter, readers see Tudor's men sawing through the ice, the workhorses dragging the ice, and Thoreau observing it all; in spring, summer, and fall, the ice continues its journey across the globe with Thoreau and Tudor writing and reflecting in their respective diaries.

An Author's Note, which explores how Thoreau's writings influenced such figures as Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Frost, and Mohandas Gandhi, is included. 
GIVEAWAY
Begins January 14
Ends February 10 @ 12:01 a.m. ET
Open to USA addresses only.
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Holiday House Books to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's prize is provided and shipped directly to the winner by publisher or publicist. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.

17 comments:

  1. I also like these books: Let's Be Friends and A New Green Day.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  2. I like "The Sun is Late and So Is The Farmer" and "Happy Again".
    Marilyn

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  3. These books would do well at my house Buffalo Flats and The Carrefour Curse. Thank you! Theresa Norris weceno at yahoo dot com

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  4. THE SUN IS LATE AND SO IS THE FARMER & THE UNIVERSE IN YOU

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  5. My daughter told me that her cats’ stomachs were upset. I felt bad, so I bought them grass that I am going to grow for them. Homegrown grass helps their stomachs.

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  6. I helped pay for my grandson’s car repairs.

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  7. I was no good today- not even for myself! I was sick 😷 NO football 🏈 for me 😒

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  8. I am getting better ❤️‍🩹 but I’m still not 100% I have to o get better because my eldest daughter is coming to Florida to o visit us! Yeah!!

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  9. I pleasantly welcomed my eldest daughter to Florida and we are going to lunch tomorrow together! My treat πŸ’ž

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  10. It’s too easy to say that you don’t care 🀷‍♀️ I do and I showed my friend that I do 😍

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  11. My eldest daughter is out here visiting. She leaves tomorrow. I comforted her when we were talking about dad. I let her talk and I didn’t add my two cents. I let her get it out. She needed to! My poor children πŸ₯²

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  12. I had a very uplifting Bible study today! I ❤️ JesusπŸ™πŸΌ

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  13. I cheered up girlfriend in IL with a surprise phone call

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  14. I hope I made my daughter happy by grocery shopping and helping her with the kids

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  15. I felt extra good today giving money on my friends’ gofundme page! It warms my heart when I can help!

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  16. I rearranged my schedule to coincide with my daughter’s. I’m sure that made her happy. TY

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