A Natural History of North American Trees (Donald Culross Peattie Library)

This is a difficult one to review. What I don't like, it is old and portrays dated views on trees. What I do like, it is old and portrays dated view on trees! I wish someone would write a modern version of this book and expand on all we know about trees now. No disrespect intended for the author! We just think about trees differently now than in the past.

How horribly unfair for an earlier reviewer to give this book one star simply because it is an abridged version. Think of how many people will see that review and choose not to read what may be the most perfect book for neophyte dendrologists ever written! Nor is the book for inexperienced tree aficionados only. Even experts will be well served by the books beautiful prose and unabashed emotion, even if only reminds them how best to inspire a love of trees in their students. I already know the Latin names of all the eastern trees in the book, and know how to identify each species by sight. Nonetheless, I was thrilled by the historical information in the descriptions, and was actually moved to tears by Peattie's description of what we have lost and will continue to lose as these trees disappear from our forests.Each specie's unique characteristics are concisely described in the book, but each tree's character is lovingly explained, as well. Peattie writes so beautifully that you cannot help but be moved - and perhaps forever changed - by reading his descriptions. This book will make you gasp with wonder, stun you into speechlessness, make you laugh aloud with sheer joy, and probably move you to tears more than once. The few short pages about the Beech tree, for example, describe its characteristic bark and form, and explain how colonists knew a beech tree indicated good soil for planting crops. This is standard information, but how many field guides exclaim over the "gleam of its wondrously smooth bark," or remind us that the famous Beech carved into by Daniel Boone began its life fifty years before Shakespeare?You don't need any prior knowledge of silviculture or dendrology to learn from and love this volume. Field Guides may help you to distinguish between a red oak and a black oak, but no other book will make you fall in love with a tree. In fact, all the guidebooks in the world fail to do what this book does effortlessly and beautifully: turn your appreciation for trees into an educated passion for each and every tree in your backyard and beyond. I promise you will not regret reading this book; I virtually guarantee you will read it again and again. I only wish I could thank the author personally for the gift of this perfect book.

This classic book, now reprinted in a durable cloth binding, is a keeper. Its identification is inferior to field guides, but its information is excellent.

This is an absolutely enchanting book, necessary reading, which I am going through very slowly and with great enjoyment. However, on my copy, p. 170 is followed by pages 168 and 169. Please ALERT the publisher, in case other copies have this same printer's error.

Engrossing reading by one of the finest nature and science writers of the 20th century. Peattie includes captivating stories from other fields such as US history.

A Real classic. Well-narrated. I've read the book years ago, but the audio gives it a whole other dimension. This was highly recommended by a client of mine who has a high-end furniture making business. He's had his whole staff listen to the 6-7 chapters that describe the woods they use in their furniture.

Tops

This book soars! Beattie is gifted with the imagination and background to bring trees to life. He sets them in context with historical and amusing antidotes. Paul Landacre's illustrations are beautiful and very helpful. Keep this book near hand and dip into it for lovely stories on your favorite trees. Beattie is unsurpassed for nature writing!

Very knowledgeable book & readable too