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The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed First Edition Edition

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John Vaillant (Author)
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John Vaillant (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars 133 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0393058871
ISBN-10: 0393058875
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 272 pages
  • Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; First Edition edition (May 17, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0393058875
  • ISBN-13: 978-0393058871
  • Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 1.1 x 9.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (133 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #674,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsCommercialism, history, ancestory, politics, science, everything
By Jessica Lux on July 24, 2005
Format: Hardcover
The most obvious comparison to Vaillant's work is that of Jon Kraukauer. Both have chronicled superhumans in the wild, putting their main characters within the scientific, evironmental, and political context of the day.

This is a book about so many things--the natural history of British Columbia and the offshore islands, the heritage of the Haida and other island British Columbian tribes, the lives of the courageous men who felled trees for logging companies in the 1900's, and the life of logger-turned-activist Grant Hadwin, who felled a magnificent and one-of-a-kind-tree. Vaillant weaves a compelling tale of the formation of the islands and the native tribes, who first gained wealth trading sea otter pellets with the Europeans. When that business dried up, there were tough times until the logging business picked up. One tree, the Golden Spruce of myth and legend, was spared by the logging conglomerates as a publicity stunt, until Hadwin came along.

Vaillant sets up the story well, priming the reader with history and science until Hadwin comes into the picture. I only have two criticisms of the book. (1) Hadwin is kind of "snuck in" to the story. Vaillant speaks of Hadwin's uncle Angus and then brings Hadwin in without introducing him as the man the Golden Spruce story is about. Unless the reader read the inner jacket, they have no idea why they are reading about this Hadwin (or Angus) character for so long. (2) There are no pictures of the mythical Golden Spruce, other than the cover shot, which looks to be altered so that it stands out more than the other green trees. I'm not even sure if the cover shot is genuine or an artist's rendition.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsCOMPELLING AND VISIONARY
By Salt Lake City Reader on May 10, 2005
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
John Vaillant conjures the mystery of the Pacific Northwest coast where hundred-foot waves wash fish into the limbs of trees and diving birds fly underwater, a land where the Haida people collaborate in their own near destruction through exploitation of the otter trade, a place where an indestructible and brilliant logger becomes a zealous, misguided environmentalist. The rainforest is a place of myth and transformation. If you dare to enter, you will be changed. And if you enter the world of this magical book, where trees grow 300 feet tall and live 500 years, you will be transfigured by what you know. John Vaillant has exposed a compelling story, a murder mystery where the victim is a rare spruce with brilliant golden needles. Without sentimentality, with complete reverence for the tree as a tree, Vaillant illuminates the terrible loss, and the deeper loss it represents: the desecration of old growth forests. Mr. Vaillant has done his research and rendered his tale with suspense and energy, with great beauty, in a language that approaches poetry.
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4.0 out of 5 starsIs sometimes the sword mightier than the pen?
By Simon Cleveland VINE VOICE on July 11, 2006
Format: Hardcover
In my opinion John Valliant's book is improperly equated to Krakauer's works. I believe this is done as a marketing effort. The considerable difference is in the main subject of the work - in Krakauer's it's the man, in Valliant's it's the Nature.

This book is a manifesto, a cry for worldwide attention of the destruction forces of human nature, against the mindless consumerism that exterminates the landmarks of the natural world.

I loved this book. I enjoyed reading about the intricacies of a profession, which claims more lives each year than many other high risk jobs. I was captured in the narrative on the delicate nature of this very complex organism - the tree. I was amazed to learn of another miracle of the Earth - the Golden Spruce, this landmark of biology that survived despite all odds. I was saddened to find out of yet another disappearing Indian nation, that of the Haidas.

Beautifully written, containing a wealth of information on an industry I knew little about, it narrates a story about the act of a sick man and his effort to attract worldwide attention to the right issue via the wrong deed. But in the end, the story begs the question - Is sometimes the sword mightier than the pen? You decide, reader.

This book is wonderful and should be on the reading list of all high schools. Young adults must learn about the consequences of logging, the result of defaced lands and their effect on the world's environment.

- by Simon Cleveland
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4.0 out of 5 starsA mythic tree in the Canadian Galapagos
By Bert Ruiz on August 30, 2005
Format: Hardcover
This entertaining narrative is about a mythic tree in the Canadian Galapagos. Author John Vaillant carefully explains how the Golden Spruce and Grant Hadwin...the immensely talented but deeply troubled frontiersman who cut it down...were both one in a billion.

Vaillant is a majestic writer. His historical description of Canada's Northwest Coastal forest in British Columbia is superb. The author carefully details how the Northwest forests support more living tissue, by weight, than an other eco system, including the Equatorial jungle. He also reports how the Queen Charlotte Islands were the historical territory of the Haida People, who call their home Haida Gwaii. The Haida People knew the Golden Spruce was exceptional and called it "K'iid K'iyaas" for the Elder Spruce Tree.

The woodcutter has been the point man for Western civilization. Some loggers are good, considerate road builders. Unfortunately, most loggers are extremely wasteful and rape the earth. Grant Hadwin was a rugged woodcutter and intelligent road builder who detested the giant corporations that destroyed vast forests with little concern for fundamental environmental considerations. Over time Hadwin leaves his wonderful family...becomes mentally unglued...and commits a great crime. Recommended.

Bert Ruiz
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsAn interesting story weaved into an education (for me) on ...

An interesting story weaved into an education (for me) on the history of the timber industry and the failure to protect what was thought to be an unlimited resource but is not.

Published 2 months ago by G. Erb
4.0 out of 5 starsI am disappointed that the author did not make territorial...

Well written and researched. Vaillant's writting style is captivating. However, I am disappointed that the author did not make territorial acknowledgements at the start of the... Read more

Published 3 months ago by John Smith
5.0 out of 5 starsI want one

Great Story, fast read. I want a Golden Spruce!

Published 4 months ago by Wade Miller
3.0 out of 5 starsno mystery but lots of good historical

Interesting story, no mystery but lots of good historical information

Published 6 months ago by Don Kussee
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat story. Once again

Great story. Once again, John Valliant play to his strengths and exquisite research to tell a timeless tale of place and people that draws on myth and reality. Read more

Published 6 months ago by Randy Geer
4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

A great story particularly if you have or plan to spend some time in the Pscific Northwest

Published 7 months ago by Barracuda
5.0 out of 5 starsThought provoking and informative

Beautifully written. I was pulled into the story and since I have spent much time in Western Canada I appreciated the intoduction as well as this facinating read. Read more

Published 7 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Good mystery story with detailed information about the lumber industry in Canada.

Published 7 months ago by S Miller
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Booklike brand new

Published 8 months ago by J. M. Laius
5.0 out of 5 starsA great read that begins with our ancestors and ends with ...

The author let's you make up your own mind about the impact of logging. A great read that begins with our ancestors and ends with future generations. Read more

Published 9 months ago by Cheryl R Wolff

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