Forever Green: The History and Hope of the American Forest [Hardcover]

Chuck Leavell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004

In Forever Green, Leavell steers a well-reasoned course for the future of America's forests. He points out that wood is one of our most critical resources, one that must be wisely used and conscientiously renewed. His message is frank bu encouraging. Thanks to pressure applied by environmental and conservation groups, to responsible governement plicy, and to an ever-rising social consciousness on behalf of all our natural resources, we are making progress in forest management. And with the leadership of Leavell and others like him, the American forest does have hope.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Since his days w ith the Allman Brothers Band (1972-l976) and Sea Level (l976-l980) Chuck Leavell has become one of the most respected keyboardists in the world of rock 'n' roll. Touring and recording with the legenday Rolling Stones over the past two decades, along the way he has played and/or recorded with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Black Crowes, the Indigo Girls, and many other artists. At the same time, his work at Charlane Plantation, the award winning tree farm that he and his wife, Rose Lane, have created near Macon, Georgia, has earned Leavell a fast growing reputation as one of our country's foremost conservationists. Twice named Outstanding Tree Farmer for Georgia, and National Outstanding Tree Farmer in l999, he has also been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation, the Georgia Conservancy, and many other conservation organizations. He currently serves as a spokesperson for the Georgia Forestry Association and the American Tree Farm System.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 202 pages
• Publisher: Mercer University Press; 2nd edition (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865549001
• ISBN-13: 978-0865549005
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,604,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sustainable Forest Management, July 4, 2011

By 

Vilnis Neilands - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Forever Green: The History and Hope of the American Forest (Hardcover)

Chuck Leavell's Forever Green is a pleasant read of a professional musician's hands-on self introduction to the basics of science based forest management. I congratulate the author for his diligence in searching for real answers. His discoveries serve as an excellent counterpoint to the preservationist green mantra so prevalent in our times.

This is a particularly valuable primer for those who are sympathetic to environmental concerns but lack the science based foundation to grasp the real issues. Man cannot off-load or die off as the green's would wish. Man is an integral component and worthy steward of our environment as Mr. Leavell so aptly reveals

His book could be strengthened by a short discourse regarding the importance of our forests, beyond man's needs. Though such needs are and will be increasingly important as oil wanes, the role of forests as integral components of life on this planet are hardly mentioned. Life on this planet hinges on the flora/fauna interchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Though commonly taken for granted this balance has to take primacy in all of man's decisions to ensure that our policies and behavior do it no harm. Particularly as man's usage of oxygen increases for uses other than breathing. Protection of our water as a biologic imperative falls second on the list. Beyond these we can quibble about fiber, chemical feedstocks, aesthetics and animal diversity, but clearly they should be lesser priorities below the broader biologic imperatives.

The second nit I wish to pick is Mr. Leavell's apparent need to better grasp the differences between Muir/Thoreau preservationism versus sustainable forest management. Today's eco-greenism is a retread of the former that has turned into a beast of power politics that is devouring the likes of tree farms and sound environmental practices. Forest certification by preservationist interlopers is not about their noble claims but rather just another attempted inroad in taking control of our natural resources discourse for the purpose of aggrandizing themselves as supposedly our planets newest and best saviors. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Overall, this book serves forest management well and goes a long way in dispelling the negative myth's so prevalent regarding natural resource recovery. I recommend it.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW, July 14, 2010

By 

Donna L. Huston (california) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Forever Green: The History and Hope of the American Forest (Hardcover)

WHAT A SURPRISE. THE BOOK WAS SIGNED BY CHUCK LEVELL. I AM SO HAPPY AS HE HAS BEEN ONE OF MY FAVOURITE KEY BOARDISTS FOREVER. THANK YOU CHUCK AS I ALSO AM A LOVER OF TREES AND CAN TOTALLY UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE COMING FROM. IN THE TOWN I LIVE IN, VENTURA, CA, THEY RECENTLY MOWED DOWN 60 YEAR OLD FICUS TREES ON LOMA VISTA RD BY WHERE I LIVE AND I CRIED FOR WEEKS OVER THE SIGHT AS THESE TREES WERE A PART OF MY LIFE FOR THE 27 YRS THAT I HAVE LIVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE TREES HAD THE AUDACITY TO BE INTERFERING WITH THE ELECTRIC COMPANY'S LINES, SO THEY HAD TO GO. WELL I AM SAD AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE EVERY TIME I GO TO WORK AND PASS BY. DONNA HUSTON