American philosopher Henry David Thoreau "has for today a special appeal," noted Townsend Scudder in his foreword to the Modern Library edition to Walden and Other Writings of Henry David Thoreau. Scudder pointed out that in a world increasingly dominated by big government and technology, Thoreau is a welcome palliative: "When everywhere government tends to trespass on the individual's freedom, it is good to find a champion of the belief that a man of conscience is at liberty to follow his own convictions. While technological skill works hour by hour to increase the complexity of existence, it is worth recalling Thoreau's determination to make his practical living as simple as possible the better to enjoy life's values. As our man-made world grows increasingly too much with us, what a relief to visit with Thoreau the woods and ponds and streams he loves to explore." Indeed, Thoreau is as...