This is a modified reissue of a “Life” by the same author, published in 1890, and is in some respects, particularly in being more up to date, and improvement on the original edition. That volumes like this one are greatly needed, is evidenced by the fact that at one prominent sectarian college Thoreau is accounted a “minor author” and classed in its library with our less permanent writers. Whether this arises from ignorance or bigotry, it would be hard to tell, but it shows that the Walden recluse is not only misunderstood, but misrepresented, by those who can see no virtue in deviating from the deep ruts worn by the unthinking masses. A good deal of this unfortunate state of affairs arises, doubtless, from the hypercriticism that emanated years ago from those whose word was accounted law. It requires the lapse of a good many years, generally, to enable the world at large to see any great character aright. Those who have had personal acquaintance with greatness, fail to appreciate it, or magnify the outcroppings of littleness that can be detected on too close inspection in every human being.
Not one will pretend that Thoreau was perfection, but is an open question, whether or not his imperfections were not far fewer than those of many of his contemporaries. Thoreau, as the world is now beginning to realise, was like an oil-painting, to be looked at from a distant point, that the general effect might be realized. His contemporaries gave him too close inspection and saw crudities everywhere, and were blind to the beautiful general effect. If he is not a permanency in American literature, who is likely to prove such? Are we forever to be judged by a story-telling standard? A careful, calm, judicious study of the life and writings of Thoreau is yet to be written, and until then, such brief biographies as this one are very welcome, and predominately useful, if they lead to the more general perusal of the writings of the contemporary of Emerson and member of the Concord group that gave such character and prominence to American literature.
The Critic, New York, Vol. 29, September 19, 1896, p. 172
Book Reviewed: Life of Henry David Thoreau