‘Walden for Hire’: Thoroughly Modern Thoreau

Ken Lizotte reimagines the 19th-century philosopher as a 21st-century business guru.

"Walden for Hire: Business Lessons from Henry David Thoreau" by Ken Lizotte makes the case for Thoreau as a businessman. AMACOM

Whenever Henry David Thoreau is brought up in today’s classrooms, it is most likely in philosophy, American literature, or political science courses. But if Ken Lizotte has his way, Thoreau’s genius would be shared in courses on entrepreneurship, business management, and marketing.

Lizotte is a business consultant who is the pro bono president emeritus of the Board of Trustees at Thoreau Farm, the birthplace of the celebrated 19th-century writer. In this new book, “Walden for Hire: Business Lessons from Henry David Thoreau,” he reinvents Thoreau as a seminal business guru with lessons that resonate today.

Advocating for Entrepreneurship

Lizotte starts his thesis by pointing out that the first chapter of Thoreau’s 1854 masterpiece “Walden” is titled “Economy.” The author notes this heading is not meant to be viewed as a literary metaphor. Instead, he quotes Mike Frederick, the former executive director of the Thoreau Society, as observing the chapter is the foundation for Thoreau’s business thinking.