Dive into Walden Like Never Before With An Expert Guide

John Kaag, author and philosophy expert, will teach you how to live by Henry David Thoreau’s principles.

Read. Watch. Discuss. Repeat.

Rebind’s goal is to open challenging and inspiring books to readers.
Book cover of Walden

    What's Included

  • Rebound eBook

    Walden eBook (includes both original and contemporary prose)

  • Commentary

    140,000 Words of commentary from 20+ hours of interviews, ready for your conversations

  • Videos

    7 Videos totaling 37 minutes

  • Discussions Topics

    26 Discussion topics to explore

Book cover of Walden

Walden Rebound

Book cover of Walden

    What's Included

  • Rebound eBook

    Walden eBook (includes both original and contemporary prose)

  • Commentary

    140,000 Words of commentary from 20+ hours of interviews, ready for your conversations

  • Videos

    7 Videos totaling 37 minutes

  • Discussions Topics

    26 Discussion topics to explore

About Walden Rebound

Henry David Thoreau

book details
Rebound by

John Kaag

Walden, explored by John Kaag, represents Rebind’s mission: to make a classic book more accessible by combining original and contemporary versions, videos, and commentary from the best guide, all into one engaging experience.

At 14 years old, Kaag was handed a copy of Walden by his Latin teacher and taken on a transformative trip to Henry David Thoreau's cherished pond. Inspired, he made a vow to his teacher and to himself: to become a philosopher, live near Walden Pond, and teach Thoreau's principles.

He fulfilled that promise. Today, Kaag is a renowned philosopher who resides near the iconic pond and passionately teaches Thoreau's wisdom to his students—and now, to you.
Immerse yourself in Walden, “learn to live deliberately,” and gain the courage to turn your personal dreams into a new life with Kaag as your guide.

"The courage to turn personal dreams into a new life? That's the essence of Thoreau's Walden, the most inspiring book I've ever read, and what poet Robert Frost called America's greatest classic."
- John Kaag

SNEAK PEEK

Here are some questions Kaag will explore with you as you read Walden:
  • Thoreau famously said of his project at Walden: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately." What do you think he meant by this, especially in the context of this section’s criticisms of modern institutions like the news and the railroad?
  • This chapter contains Thoreau’s somewhat contradictory reflections on his own aloneness. What is your reaction to this? Do you feel he is really "alone"? What does it mean to you to be alone?

This great book changed Kaag’s life, and he’s here to share that experience as you read with him.

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This is the most creative and interesting book-related AI tech I’ve seen so far, and I’m happy to see big-name authors leading by example with their openness to exploring generative uses of this technology.

Rebecca Joines Schinsky

Chief of Staff at Book Riot

I am suddenly seeing what I was missing, marveling at the explosive possibility of interacting in these discussions. I didn't realize how organic the interactions can be. I only had to make one comment, read the response and then follow up, and all of a sudden I was learning unexpected things.

William

Rebind Reader

I've been reading Thus Spoke Zarathustra on Rebind, and it's magical. It's suddenly difficult to imagine reading without having this ongoing discussion where I can ask a hundred questions.

Nishant

Rebind Reader

There are a collection of books that are a little intimidating because I never approached them or spent time with them. Having this guided experienced with great context through video and an AI personality to chat with really helps with that.

Tyler

Rebind Reader

I felt like this was the best parts of a literature course, where you get the knowledge of someone who has really studied the text without the drain of having to write a paper at the end. For me, this is really kind of perfect.

Anne

Rebinder Reader

Rebind’s use of AI to honor and preserve classic literature —and facilitate our appreciation of reading these quintessential texts with personalized analysis—seems like a worthwhile exploration.

Ronit Novak

The Grain

“Twenty years from now, it will be commonplace
to talk to the books we read, to basically
interact and bring books to life.”

JOHN KAAG

Co-founder & Chief Creative Officer