Henry David Thoreau is known as a naturalist, a philosopher and a leading Transcendentalist. But he was also a lifelong abolitionist and political activist. He was a conductor on the Underground Railroad helping fugitive slaves escape to freedom. He was the first to speak out, loudly and passionately, in support of John Brown after Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry. He wrote and spoke with unequaled clarity and strength on subjects as varied as slavery, war, taxation and government, history, law, technology, commerce, religion and the press. He examined how we are to live in this world and with each other. These works are written with singular drive and immediacy, and are surprisingly and extraordinarily relevant.

Included in this collection are:

• Slavery in Massachusetts

• Resistance to Civil Government/Civil Disobedience

• The Service

• Dark Ages

• Paradise (to be) Regained

• Herald of Freedom

• Wendell Phillips Before the Concord Lyceum

• Walking

• Life Without Principle

• A Plea for Captain John Brown

• After the Death of John Brown

• The Last Days of John Brown