
Oak
The Frame of Civilization
William Bryant Logan(Author)
WW Norton & Co (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 17. July 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-0-393-32778-6 (ISBN)
Description
Professional arborist and award-winning nature writer William Bryant Logan deftly relates the delightful history of the reciprocal relationship between humans and oak trees since time immemorial. For centuries these supremely adaptable, generous trees have supported humankind in nearly every facet of life. From the ink of Bach's cantatas to the first boat to reach the New World, the wagon, the barrel, and the sword, oak trees have been a constant presence in our past. Yet we've largely forgotten the oak's role in civilization. With reverence, humor, and compassion, Logan awakens us to the vibrant presence of the oak throughout our history and in today's world.
Reviews / Votes
"Logan's beautiful treatment opened my eyes to how much human experience on this planet has depended on the single (albeit wonderfully varied) genus Quercus." -- Richard Powers - PBS NewsHour "Passion is never boring...[Logan's] affection and admiration for the oak tree are so persuasive that the next time you see one you might be inspired to kneel before it in recognition of its sprawling contributions to mankind." -- Arizona Republic "Any student of history or lover of the woods will enjoy discovering the many contributions that this tree has made. Readers will have plenty to think about next time they pass under a canopy of these amazing trees." -- Science News "Human civilization, from its very inception, has been intertwined with the evolution of the oak. From the scientific and practical to the philosophical and spiritual, Logan amazes readers with the connections between Homo and Quercus." -- Carl Keeler - Outdoor America "Certified arborist and nature writer William Bryant Logan has brought a literary voice to the story of the mighty oak. This wonderful history is written in a storyteller's voice." -- Debra Prinzing - Seattle Post-Intelligencer "Oak has plenty to teach us...In his own way, Logan is restoring knowledge that disappeared, and in the end it is his passion for the trees themselves that makes this book remarkable." -- Anthony Doerr - Boston Globe "Logan is a gentle ecologist, and paints an enthralling picture of the cooperative business going on underground." -- Richard Mabey - Guardian "Oak trees have participated in a surprising swath of human history, and now they have finally been recognized for it. William Logan's Oak is an utterly fascinating story and, in a strange way, a humbling one." -- John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and EvilMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 208 mm
Width: 141 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
304 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-393-32778-6 (9780393327786)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
07/2006
W. W. Norton & Company
€14.49
Available for download
Person
William Bryant Logan is a practicing arborist and the author of four acclaimed books on nature: Sprout Lands, Dirt, Oak, and Air. He is on the faculty of the New York Botanical Garden and lives in Brooklyn, New York.