WALDEN

Mel Foster's resonant voice narrates this classic text with a precision that sounds nearly detached, but this style is appropriate for a work that emphasizes simplicity and personal accountability. Thoreau's reflections as he lived alone at Walden Pond are insightful; listening to WALDEN is a wonderful way to become better acquainted with his ideas, which are timeless and endlessly apropos to contemporary life. The pacing and delivery of the message are both clear and easy to absorb, making this classic beautifully suited to the audiobook format, especially with Foster's consistent voice taking control. Thoreau maintained that the "mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation"; this audiobook could help one break that silence. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2008]