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Mr. Sanborn’s book is thoroughly American and truly fascinating. Its literary skill is exceptionally good, and there is a racy flavor in its pages and an amount of exact knowledge of interesting people that one seldom meets with in current literature. Mr. Sanborn has done Thoreau’s genius an imperishable service. —American Church Review (New York).

Mr. Sanborn has accomplished his difficult task with much ability. … He has told in an entertaining and luminous way the strange story of Thoreau’s remarkable career, and has expounded with much appreciative sympathy and analytical power the moral and intellectual idiosyncrasies of the most striking and original figure in American literature. — Philadelphia North American.

Mr. Sanborn has written a careful book about a curious man, whom he has studied as impartially as possible; whom he admires warmly but with discretion; and the story of whose life he has told with commendable frankness and simplicity. — New York Mail and Express.

It is undoubtedly the best life of Thoreau extant. — Christian Advocate (New York).

Mr. Frothingham’s memoir is a calm and thoughtful and tender tribute. It is marked by rare discrimination, and good taste and simplicity. The biographer keeps himself in the background, and lets his subject speak. And the result is one of the best examples of personal portraiture that we have met with in a long time. — The Churchman (New York).

He has fulfilled his responsible task with admirable fidelity, frank earnestness, justice, fine feeling, balanced moderation, delicate taste, and finished literary skill. It is a beautiful tribute to the high-bred scholar and generous-hearted man, whose friend he has so worthily portrayed.— Rev. William H. Channing (London).

Mr. Frothingham has made a very interesting and valuable memoir, and one that can be read with profit by all aspirants for recognition in the world of letters. He writes affectionately and admiringly, though temperately. — Chicago Journal.

It is a valuable addition to our literature. The work was committed to a skilled hand, and it is executed with the delicacy of perception and treatment which the subject required. — Charleston News and Courier.