Students and general readers alike will find a representative sampling of Thoreau's investigations of nature and the natural history of New England in this collection of eight essays: Natural History of Massachusetts, A Walk to Wachusett, A Winter Walk, The Succession of Forest Trees, Walking, Autumnal Tints, Wild Apples, and Huckleberries. The essays include exploratory works from Thoreau's earliest involvement with nature and the writer's craft, and later pieces developed for publication from lectures and unfinished longer studies near the end of his life. The opening introduction by Thoreau scholar Robert Sattelmeyer (19th-century American literature, Georgia State U.) provides an overview of Thoreau's life and work, and analysis of the eight essays. No subject index is provided. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)