A leading transcendentalist , Thoreau is best known for his book `` Walden '' , a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings , and his essay `` Resistance to Civil Government '' ( also known as `` Civil Disobedience '' ) , an argument for disobedience to an unjust state .
He is best known for his book `` Walden '' , a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings , and his essay , `` Civil Disobedience '' , an argument for individual resistance to civil government in moral opposition to an unjust state .