Customer Reviews

The Man Who Planted Trees

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I think the publisher wrote the perfect review for this book. It is a book about planting seeds and the seeds of life and what can happen when we give in the most humane, natural way. When nature and the human spirit work as one. The illustrations are a beautiful compliment to the writer. It makes a perfect gift and will inspire those who read it.

Several years ago, I read The Man Who Planted Trees and enjoyed it so much that I passed it on to a friend to read. With the release of the 20th Anniversary Edition, I decided this was a book that had to be reread and added to my library as an all-time favorite. My second reading was enjoyed even more than the first. Perhaps the wisdom I have garnered between readings has come to a fuller fruition.

Jean Giono has created a marvelous character in Elzeard Bouffier, a man who found purpose in life by the planting of acorns that grew into magnificent trees. Since he never wandered far from his home, he was able to see the fruits of his labor and the complete revitalization of the landscape around him. It is no wonder that he seldom saw the need for talk. Seeing was both believing and self-fulfilling for him.

The wood engravings by Michael McCurdy add beauty and simple elegance to the story. The picture of Elzeard Bouffier is exactly as Jean Giono portrays him: a kind and gentle soul, filled with peace and contentment with the earth in which he planted and walked upon.

Although this is a book for the ages, for all ages, it finds special relevance for our time. Everyone can benefit from the reading of this little book.

One can read this book in less than an hour. That hour can be an exquisite calming experience, and one that talks about alternative ways of achieving satisfaction, while contributing to the place where he lives. It's not really a Johnny Appleseed book, even though it is about planting trees. Rather, it is about contributing to the health of the Earth, while contributing to the health of the individual.

I also have this book on tape with the Paul Winter Consort and play it often as inspiration. It has been my favorite story for years. I just shared the book with a friend at work and she found it very moving and like me wants to be a person like Elzeard Bouffier. Is it possible?

This beautiful book brought my wife to tears. The power of a single man to plant trees and change the landscape is brought to life in this simple but well written book. We are tied to the land, the health of our environment affects us. But sometimes, the power of nature needs a little help.

This may be classified as a children's book but there is a lesson for all of us to learn here. Each one of us is capable of doing powerfully wonderful things; we just need the determination to do it. I remind myself of this example by re-reading this short story from time to time. It helps me to find my compass.