My new favorite tree book of all time
October 4, 2008 by Jennifer
I rarely read books about trees. I mean, they’re cool and all, but mostly, I’d rather go see trees in person then read about them. Also, trees, neat as they are, don’t make for very exciting text. Unless you’re talking about this book:
Remarkable Trees of the World by Thomas Pakenham
Best. Tree. Book. Ever!
I’m not kidding. I spend many long hours looking at trees, thinking about trees, and honestly, I feel that I know quite a lot about trees in general. However, this book was a total surprise. Inside this book are tons of insanely cool trees that I’ve never seen before, and they’re shown in amazing, large glossy images. PLUS the text is completely enthralling. I never thought that I’d read a book about trees cover to cover, but this one I did. You could read this to your kids, like a story book and they’d stay interested.
From the Amazon listed review:
“From the giant redwoods of California to “upside down” baobabs in Africa, Pakenham emabarks on his voyage with gusto and a 30lb Linhof camera and tripod. Through torrential rain, snow, drought and blazing sun, his photographs capture the impressiveness and standing of these remarkable plants who support life, inspire lore and have been worshipped for centuries. Occasionally dispelling myth, at other times concurring, his writing supports the lavishness of his photographs, being amusing and witty at the same time as being informative. This is not a botanical work. It is an engaging study of trees and their relationship with man over the centuries by an author who has become fascinated with his subject and who wishes to share this enthusiasm with others.”
I got this from the library, but since I want to steal it, which face it, you shouldn’t do, I’ll likely buy it. It’s a tree book you’ll read more than once – how about that?! Trust me, you’ll love this book, so check it out at your local library. OR just buy it – it’d make a great holiday gift (for me – just kidding!) for someone though.
That’s one nice book and I just love that cover. Another I like, for kids is “The Tree” by Dana Lyons. There are all these beautifully painted pictures that are just breathtaking.
The inside is even better than the cover – this book is amazing. I’ll have to check out “The Tree” – Cedar loves nature books, but I get sick of reading him all of his rock books, a tree read would be nice.
Awesome! I just requested it from the library.
There is a man – French I think – who is working on something called “Venerable Trees of the World”.
May be a book project.
Google around and see what you find.
MDV
Oregon