He is the author of the longest line on the map and american canopy. He splits his time between new york and new haven, connecticut, where he is pursuing a doctorate in american history at yale. Like many of us, historians have long been guilty of taking trees for granted. He earned his ba and phd from yale and his jd from harvard.
American canopy trees, forests and the making of a nation. In the longest line on the map, historian eric rutkow american canopy. The search for order in the world of plants by anna pavord bloomsbury, 2005, american canopy by eric rutkow scribner, 2012, and more. American canopy by eric rutkow eric rutkow s deeply fascinating the boston globe work shows how trees were essential to the early years of the republic and indivisible from the countrys rise as both an empire and a civilization. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation, rutkow traces the history of the united states through our. Eric rutkow s deeply fascinating the boston globe work shows how trees were essential to the early years of the republic and indivisible from. American canopy trees, forests, and the making of a. American canopy is a oneofakind read thats perfect for history buffs and nature lovers alike, and eric rutkow is a writer to watch. In the bestselling tradition of michael pollans second nature, this fascinating and unique historical work tells the remarkable story of the relationship between americans and trees across the entire span of our nations history. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation chronicles the complex, erratic process by which the governments of. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation 2012, received the association of american publishers prose award for us history and was named one. The united states, the pan american highway, and the quest to link the americas, and more on thriftbooks.
Horticulture history books including american canopy by. Trees, forests and the making of a nation, the creation of every horseshoe, wagon, carriage, gun, bottle, ship, train and early airplane required trees. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation, which was named one of. From the earliest plantations, as colonial settlements were known in the 17th century, to our understanding of todays climate change, forests have been a driving force in both national development and consciousness, writes rutkow in this impressive survey.
American canopy the role of trees in the shaping of a nation book. See all books authored by eric rutkow, including american canopy. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation by eric rutkow. Ranging across four centuries of history, eric rutkow shows the manifold ways in which treesand woodlandand woodhave shaped the contours of american life and culture. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation by rutkow, eric isbn. In historian eric rutkow s recent book, american canopy. In american canopy, firsttime author eric rutkow views the discovery, survival and rise of the united states as a function of its treestrees used to build royal masts for royal english ships, trees used to build turnofthelastcentury rails across america, trees that did not catch fire during world war ii, despite japanese air balloons sent to do just that. In american canopy, eric rutkow works a wonderful magic. Rutkow earned his ba and phd from yale and his jd from harvard. Tea has been synonymous with political protest ever since colonists dumped shiploads of the stuff into boston harbor in a 1773 act of rebellion against the crown. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation, he notes that trees were an equally potent symbol of liberty in the years leading to the revolutionary war. Yet the history of trees in america is no less remarkable than.
Eric rutkow, a graduate of yale university and harvard law school, has worked as a lawyer on environmental issues. Book club american canopy by eric rutkow garden club. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation by rutkow, eric in the bestselling tradition of michael pollans second nature, this fascinating and unique historical work tells the remarkable story of the relationship between americans and trees across the entire span of our nations history. Rutkow also explains how trees were of deep interest to such figures as george washington, thomas jefferson, benjamin franklin, teddy roosevelt, and franklin. Volunteering is a great way to make an impact while meeting new people, and learning about the american chestnut.
Eric rutkow s deeply fascinating the boston globe work shows how trees were essential to the early years of the republic and indivisible from the countrys rise as both an empire and a civilization. Eric rutkow is an assistant professor of history at the university of central florida in orlando, and the author of the longest line on the map. American canopy trees, forests and the making of a nation kwoa has started a series of suggested titles for fiction and nonfiction books that may be of interest to members. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation by eric rutlow shares many captivating stories. How trees defined america history smithsonian magazine. The unintentional destruction of the oldest tree in recorded history, a 5,000yearold bristlecone pine, opens environmental lawyer and historian rutkows first book an ambitious, panoramic view of american history from the perspective of our trees and forests, with a large supporting cast of humans. He takes the most obvious of thingstreesand weaves an astounding and complex narrative that ranges across american history. American canopy trees forests and the making of a nation ebook format jan 23, 2020 sidney sheldon library his first book american canopy trees forests and the making of a nation 2012 received the association of american publishers prose. Trees, forests, and the making of america examines trees and their impact on america. Rutkow lets drop in the acknowledgments that he worked on american canopy for more than half a decade. American canopy by eric rutkow, 9781439193587, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation 2012, received the association of american publishers prose award for us history and was named one of the top books of the year by.
Trees, forests, and the making of a nation eric rutkow this fascinating and groundbreaking work tells the remarkable story of the relationship between americans and their trees across the entire span of our nations history. I hope to hear from you soon about coverage in your may plans. Trees, forests and the making of a nation, eric rutkow seems to have spent little time outside the library and in our troubled landscape. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation scribner, 2012, received the association of american publishers prose award for u. David fairchild and americas plant hunters by amanda harris university press of florida, 2015, the fruit hunters by adam leith gollner scribner, 2008, the naming of names. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation, 2012 offers a richly detailed examination of efforts to build a highway from alaska to the tip of argentina. Colin woodard is the author of four books, including american nations. American canopy by eric rutkow kansas city public library. American canopy marks the debut of an uncommonly gifted young historian and writer. American canopy, debut book from environmental attorney. I learned so much about american, and world, history and how humans have used and abused trees. This book is not merely a history, but an eloquent advocate of, as rutkow writes, how.
Rutkow s presentation in prosser auditorium caught the attention of some. Eric rutkow, an environmental attorney and yale doctoral student, says in his debut book, american canopy. Be the first to ask a question about american canopy. American canopy eric rutkow 9781439193549 netgalley.
Americaif indeed it existedwould be a very different place without its millions of acres of trees. A history of the eleven rival regional cultures of north america. But i am here to tell you that firsttime author eric rutkow pulls it off with great aplomb in his compelling and comprehensive new book american canopy. That said, rutkow doesnt deviate from the traditional approach of viewing. It explores how trees have shaped american identity and how americans have reshaped the continents forests.
Trees, forests, and the making of a nation, and the longest line on the map. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation, which was named one of the top ten books of 2012 by smithsonian magazine and received the association of american publishers prose award for us history. I just finished reading eric rutkow s american canopy. American canopy book by eric rutkow official publisher. Eric rutkow author eric rutkow is a writer, lawyer, and professor who teaches history at yale university. Over the centuries, england used up their supply of trees for fuel, housing, and shipbuilding. I am 78 years old and have seen first hand a lot of use and abuse of trees in my home state of oregon. An appreciation of how much american history was shaped and defined by trees. Once us presidents wanted a panamerican highway not a.
The author states that england became interested in the new world for their vast reserves of forests. Henry david thoreaus famous retreat into the woods. As the historian eric rutkow puts it in his big, engrossing, and sedate first book, american canopy. American canopy by eric rutkow should get out more. Although there are many histories of the construction of the panama canal and the nations. Pdf book american canopy trees forests and the making. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation 2012, received the association of american publishers prose award for us history and was named one of the top books of the year by smithsonian magazine. Seeing american history through its trees unc charlotte. Drawing on archival sources and more than two dozen oral histories, rutkow historyuniv. If thats a roundabout way of saying that he worked on it. Trees, forests, and the making of a nation focuses on trees, weaving a fascinating history of our nation. In 1852, a california hunter chased a wounded bear into a stand of trees bigger than any europeanamerican had ever seen. Eric rutkow, author of the historical book american canopy, visited moravian college on an unseasonably warm fall evening of october 18 to discuss the history and production of forestry and treeharvesting techniques in the united states from the mid1800s to present day.
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