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

Chuck Leavell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2001

In Forever Green, respected conservationist and nationally acclaimed rock/blues pianist Chuck Leavell steers a well-reasoned course on the value of responsible forestry that takes into account both the environmentalists and the corporations on either side of this important issue.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Since his days with the Allman Brothers Band (1972-1976) and Sea Level (1977-1979), Chuck Leavell has become what People magazine calls "the sixth Rolling Stone," touring and recording with the legendary rock'n'roll band for the last dozen years.

At the same time, his work at Charlane Plantation near Macon, Georgia, has earned Leavell a fast-growing reputation as one of our country's foremost conservationists. Twice named Georgia Tree Farmer of the Year and currently spokesperson for the Georgia Forestry Association, Leavell's work has been cited by the National Arbor Day Foundation, the Georgia Conservancy, and many other conservation organizations.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing; illustrated edition edition (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563526549
• ISBN-13: 978-1563526541
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,685,031 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)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

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