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Loading... A Natural History of Trees of Eastern and Central North America (1950)by Donald Peattie
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. Trees of Northeastern North America I first read parts of this book when I was 12 (about 1976) and recently re-acquired a copy. Too many people have previously examined and praised this classic for me to add too much. The writing is elegant and the information is unusual, engaging and idiosyncratic. In my opinion, there is less really high quality natural history being written today. Much of what passes for it is more personal memoir or implied argument (Barbara Kingsolver, for example) or rather ironic in tone (David Quammen type). Peattie is the real deal, mixing human history with vivid description of natural phenomenon. The focus is on his subject, rather than his own views, but his love and appreciation for trees and their crucial role in human society comes through in every page. This book should not be missed by anyone who wants to understand, not just identify, trees.
Donald Culross Peattie in this book is tree authority, nature lover, and phrasemaker. His wide experience, unforced enthusiasm, and ability to use statistics in the way a theater director uses lighting, all make for an informative and delightful body of writing. . . . The amount of largely forgotten fact written entertainingly into these pages is enormous.
One of two genuine classics of American nature writing now in paperback; the other is A Natural History of Western Trees. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)582.160975Natural sciences and mathematics Plants Plants noted for specific vegetative characteristics and flowers Herbaceous and woody plants, plants noted for their flowers Trees History, geographic treatment, biography North AmericaLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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