Henry David Thoreau books in order
American essayist, poet, and philosopher
- Lived
- 1817–1862
- Country
- United States
- Books
- 15
Henry David Thoreau published 7 novels, 2 novellas, 2 short story collections, 3 non-fiction books and 1 other book, beginning with Resistance to Civil Government (1849). The best-known is Walden; Or, Life in the Woods (1854).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Henry David Thoreau
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Walden; Or, Life in the Woods
Henry David Thoreau's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Paradise (to Be) Regained (Nov 1843)
Walden; Or, Life in the Woods (Aug 1854)
Chesuncook (Jul 1858)
Cape Cod (1864)
The Maine Woods (1864)
Novellas in order
Walking (1862)
Life Without Principle (Oct 1863)
Short story collections in order
Excursions (1863)
The Writings of Henry David Thoreau (1884)
Non-fiction in order
Resistance to Civil Government (1849)
Anti-slavery and Reform Papers (1890)
Walden and Other Writings (1937)
Other books in order
Of Friendship (1901)
Free to read
All free classics
About Henry David Thoreau
Henry David Thoreau was an American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher. A leading transcendentalist, he is best known for his book Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay "Civil Disobedience", an argument in favor of citizen disobedience against an unjust state.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Henry David Thoreau FAQ
- How many books has Henry David Thoreau written?
- Henry David Thoreau published 7 novels, 2 novellas, 2 short story collections, 3 non-fiction books and 1 other book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Henry David Thoreau's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Walden; Or, Life in the Woods.
- What is Henry David Thoreau's last book?
- The Maine Woods (1864).
- What is Henry David Thoreau's most famous book?
- Walden; Or, Life in the Woods (1854) is Henry David Thoreau's most widely read book.
- Can I read Henry David Thoreau's books for free?
- Yes. 18 books by Henry David Thoreau are in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Henry David Thoreau
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.