First published in 1849, "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers" is an account the author's boat trip from Concord, Massachusetts to Concord, New Hampshire in 1839. Thoreau was accompanied by his brother, John, who died of tetanus in 1842 and to whom the book is a tribute. It is noted for its detailed descriptions of nature, and it is interwoven with profound digressions on such topics as religion, poetry, and history. This volume is highly recommended for lovers of nature writing and transcendental literature, and it is not to be missed by collectors of allied literature. Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862) was an American poet, philosopher, essayist, abolitionist, naturalist, development critic, and historian. He was also a leading figure in Transcendentalism, and is best known for his book "Walden", a treatise on simple living in a natural environment. Other notable works by this author include: "The Landlord" (1843), "Reform and the Reformers" (1846-48), and "Slavery in Massachusetts" (1854). Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.