As a former college student with only a undergrad degree, I have read "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau. And if someone is a former college student, and did not read the book -- they did miss out on a major college experience.

His civil disobedience dealing with the Mexican American War, is far more interesting. In a way, he is the founding father of the civil disobedience movements during the last century within America and the international community. Taking his civil disobedience, and wanting a simple basic lifestyle, leaders in civil disobedience have become major iconic international icons.