A Reverence for Wood [Paperback]

Eric Sloane (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 18, 2004

Refreshingly written, delightfully illustrated book remarks expansively on the resourcefulness of early Americans in their use of this valuable commodity — from the crafting of furniture, tools, and buildings to the use of such by-products as charcoal and medicine. "One of Sloane's best books." — Library Journal. 69 black-and-white illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

The special knowledge of which wood is suited to which task, the ready identification of native trees, the reverence for wood, the instinctive knowledge that wood can warm the soul as well as the body -- these virtues of a bygone age are revived in Eric Sloane's remarkable work. Heavily illustrated, with a section on identification of nearly sixty native trees, A REVERENCE FOR WOOD provides an illuminating view of the resource that made possible so much of the early settlement of North America. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (February 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486433943
• ISBN-13: 978-0486433943
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #42,915 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Science > Technology > History of Technology
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Americas > General
  • #12 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Americas > United States > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful marriage between writing and drawing, March 7, 2001

By 

"petersonreviews" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Reverence for Wood (Hardcover)

Eric Sloane was a painter of clouds and sky who built the Hall of Atmosphere in the American Museum of Natural History. He also wrote several books about weather. Later he produced manuals and three-dimensional models of weather phenomena for training military flyers during World War II.

His interest in weather drew him toward old diaries and almanacs that were filled with the weather lore of early American countrymen. And this, in turn, acquainted him with the countryman's reverence for wood.

One result was this wonderful book, whose prose is illustrated with more than 70 of Sloan's skilful pen-and-ink drawings. There's an excellent marriage between his writing and drawing. Just when you wonder exactly what some of his words might mean, along comes another drawing to make everything perfectly clear again. Many of the drawings are very detailed and packed with fascinating information about long ago wood lore.

If you like this book, you'll probably enjoy anything written by May Theilgaard Watts, a fine naturalist who knew how to draw. You may especially enjoy her "Reading the Landscape of America" at the same time as you enjoy Sloan's "Our Vanishing Landscape."

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonder for those who enjoy "the old ways"., February 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Reverence for Wood (Paperback)

I first discovered Eric Sloane back in 1978 and immediately read everything I could find by him. All his reads are quick, entertaining, and educational. I have read this book many times and now love sharing it with others by giving it as a gift. Woodworkers, antique and Americana enthusiasts, foresters, etc will all find this a fascinating book. His pen and ink drawing are numerous and incredible. This is probably his most famous book. After this one you should consider "A Museum of Early American Tools", "Diary of an Early American Boy", and "Our Vanishing Landscape".

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why the old timers built wooden structures the way they did., February 17, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Reverence for Wood (Paperback)

Sloanes book is saturated with his love for discovery. The book is a treasure trove of information with fantastic pen and ink sketches. Its style is narative, and it explores the reasons why the old timers built things the way they did. The original "This Old House" I highly recommend it. See also "Diary of an early American Boy" this book was one of only 100 books accepted into the Early American Library of the President on merrit. Presented in a thought provoking and imaginative way, Slones book comes alive. It teaches even as it entertains. You will intimately know the boy and his 1805 family.