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Jean Giono

Robert J. Lurtsema

The Man Who Planted Trees Paperback – Special Edition, October 17, 2007

by Jean Giono (Author), Michael McCurdy (Illustrator), Norma Goodrich (Afterword),

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Twenty years ago Chelsea Green published the first trade edition of The Man Who Planted Trees, a timeless eco-fable about what one person can do to restore the earth. The hero of the story, Elzéard Bouffier, spent his life planting one hundred acorns a day in a desolate, barren section of Provence in the south of France. The result was a total transformation of the landscape-from one devoid of life, with miserable, contentious inhabitants, to one filled with the scent of flowers, the songs of birds, and fresh, flowing water.

Since our first publication, the book has sold over a quarter of a million copies and inspired countless numbers of people around the world to take action and plant trees. On National Arbor Day, April 29, 2005, Chelsea Green released a special twentieth anniversary edition with a new foreword by Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the African Green Belt Movement.

Print length

72 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Chelsea Green Publishing
Publication date

October 17, 2007
Dimensions

6.02 x 0.28 x 9.02 inches
ISBN-10

1933392819
ISBN-13

978-1933392813
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From the Publisher

climate change, trees, richard powers, robert macfarlane, wendell berry, environment, eco-fable

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jean Giono (1895-1970), the only son of a cobbler and a laundress, was one of France's greatest writers. He was a pacifist, and he was imprisoned in France for his beliefs during the Second World War. He wrote over thirty novels, scores of short stories, plays, poetry, essays, and filmscripts. Giono won the Prix de Monaco (for the most outstanding collected work by a French writer) among other awards.

Michael McCurdy is one of America's finest wood engravers. He has illustrated nearly 200 books for trade publications and special fine-press editions. His prints and drawings are also shown in galleries throughout the country. McCurdy lives in Springfield, Mass.

Wangari Maathai was awarded the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize for her work in restoring the environment and promoting economic well-being by planting of millions of trees in East Africa through her Green Belt Movement.

Norma L. Goodrich is Professor Emeritus of French and Comparative Literature at the Claremont Colleges and author of Giono: Master of Fictional Modes.

Andy Lipkis is the founder and president of TreePeople.

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Product details

Publisher : Chelsea Green Publishing; 20th Anniversary edition (October 17, 2007)
Language : English
Paperback : 72 pages
ISBN-10 : 1933392819
ISBN-13 : 978-1933392813
Item Weight : 4.5 ounces
Dimensions : 6.02 x 0.28 x 9.02 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #43,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #25 in French Literature (Books)
- #49 in Trees in Biological Sciences
- #139 in Environmentalism

Customer Reviews:
472 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		85%
4 star		9%
3 star		4%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Crazy Neighborhood Cat Lady

"policy of the tree"

Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2014

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A friend recently discovered the writings of Jean Giono and recommended this writer to me. I'd never heard of him so I started by seeing what I could find out about him on the web. I learned he had made available for free the entire text of THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES to anyone who wanted to use it, including an American who wanted to print 100,000 copies to distribute free of charge. In his response to authorize this use, Giono wrote: "I believe it is time for us to have a 'policy of the tree.'" I am a retired public policy analyst, and that verbiage piqued my interest immediately. My initial interest was rewarded many times over by the experience of reading Giono's short narrative about the man who planted trees, and I have now read it several times and listened to an audible version of it on cassette tape. Like the other Giono writings I have now read, THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES is not just beautifully written -- although certainly that -- but also beautifully conceived as an homage to aspects of humanity that make the world a better place.

21 people found this helpful

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John A. Leraas

An absolutely wonderful story, well told

Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2016

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A beautiful little book about ecosystems and how the work of a man can rebuild them.
Clearly the work of a master of his craft who well understands the matters about which he writes.
It's the sort of book you'd like to read again; a book you should read to,your grandkids
You won't be sorry you bought this book.

3 people found this helpful

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John McAndrew

Fabulous

Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2004

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In many readers' lives there are a few books, or maybe only one, which serve as touchstones. They define us like our most vivid memories do. Not many books or stories deserve that kind of devotion, but this one does. It isn't timeless - it's deeply rooted in 20th century France - but its honest treatment of the time and place is one of the things that makes it universal.

There are dozens of facets that could be highlighted in a review, but the one I find most compelling is Giono's treatment of a man alone and how he is yet connected to the world around him. Even a solitary figure can contribute to the birth and health of a community. It's not clear why he does his work, but it's clear that the work is good.

There is such hope here, but no easy palliative. It is a call to lifelong diligence in the service of something good, and important, and bigger than ourselves.

23 people found this helpful

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Martin A.

Revie of The Man Who Planted Trees.

Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2012

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I used to live on an acre of land in the suburbs of Boston. My next-door neighbor was a retired college professor, scholar, farmer, New England resourceful - use it till it can't be used any more and then use it for something else - kind of guy. He taught me to make garden implements out of scrap wood or unused material and gave me the book The Man Who Planted Trees. He taught me to revere growing things. I planted more than fifty trees on my property.

This wonderful tale has been reviewed by professionals so I won't attempt it. I can, however, share the memory of my neighbor and state that this book is a pleasure to read.

10 people found this helpful

Helpful

Thought provoking, gentle story

Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2010

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I have had a copy of this book for over ten years, I loaned it to everyone I could. The last time I loaned it, it didn't come back. So, I bought the edition shown here. This has woodblock art in with it, beautiful work. I read the book every now and then because it is uplifting. The way Mr. Giono wrote it is so vivid, it's like you are there. It's actually a short story and takes about 20 - 30 minutes to read. But it has a high re-readability factor. Get this and share with your children, a friend who is down in the dumps, or buy one for the school library.

A re-assuring, peaceful, wonderful story with a simple, unforgettable message.

21 people found this helpful

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Melanie

Will inspire you and your children to care for nature.

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2002

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The Man Who Planted Trees is the tale of Elzeard Bouffier, a man who, after his son and wife die, spends his life reforesting miles of barren land in southern France. Bouffier's planting of thousands and thousands of trees results in many wondrous things occurring, including water again flowing in brooks that had been dry for many years. The brooks are fed by rains and snows that are conserved by the forest that Bouffier planted. The harsh, barren land is now pleasant and full of life.
Written by Jean Giono, this popular story of inspiration and hope was originally published in 1954 in Vogue as "The Man Who Planted Hope and Grew Happiness." The story's opening paragraph is as follows:
"For a human character to reveal truly exceptional qualities, one must have the good fortune to be able to observe its performance over many years. If this performance is devoid of all egoism, if its guiding motive is unparalleled generosity, if it is absolutely certain that there is no thought of recompense and that, in addition, it has left its visible mark upon the earth, then there can be no mistake."
The Man Who Planted Trees has left a "visible mark upon the earth" having been translated into several languages. In the "Afterword" of the Chelsea Green Publishing Company's edition, Norma L. Goodrich wrote that Giono donated his story. According to Goodrich, "Giono believed he left his mark on earth when he wrote Elzeard Bouffier's story because he gave it away for the good of others, heedless of payment: `It was one of my stories of which I am the proudest. It does not bring me in one single penny and that is why it has accomplished what it was written for.'"
This special edition is very informative. Not only does it contain Giono's inspirational story, which is complemented beautifully by Michael McCurdy's wood engraving illustrations and Goodrich's informative "Afterword" about Giono, but it also contains considerable information about how wood and paper can be conserved in the section "The WoodWise Consumer." Goodrich writes about Giono's effort to have people respect trees.
"Giono later wrote an American admirer of the tale that his purpose in creating Bouffier `was to make people love the tree, or more precisely, to make them love planting trees.' Within a few years the story of Elzeard Bouffier swept around the world and was translated into at least a dozen languages. It has long since inspired reforestation efforts, worldwide."
The Man Who Planted Trees is not only a wonderful story, it will inspire you and your children to care for the natural world.
-Reviewed by N. Glenn Perrett

31 people found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

C MILLS

A beautiful rebirth

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 26, 2017

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I first read this book in the 1950s. It gave me faith in the purpose of human nature and astonishment that one man could be so purposeful in his solitude, and often pondered on it. I was delighted to hear it reviewed on BBCs ' a good read' and amused and intrigued by the readers' musings. It has been a 2nd delightful reading and recommend it to all. I've frequently wondered why governments haven't considered building out into the deserts of Africa and elsewhere to try to regenerate the waste areas. Maybe it could reduce global warming. I believe in Elziard Goubi.

8 people found this helpful

Catherine Maughan

Read and enjoy

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2020

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I thoroughly enjoyed this short story. A friend had recommended him, as she knows I how much I enjoy nature. My first time reading this author and I have no doubt I will be reading more of his work. It seemed very relevant to the world today.

2 people found this helpful

David Jones

Uplifting

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2016

Verified Purchase

This is a very short book AND it is available free on the internet, please note. That said, the book itself can be finished in about an hour and is motivting, uplifting etc. Drawings are included...they're 'OK'.

So, is this worth buying?

Well it is certainly worth reading and if you follow what the (fictitious) main character does then your whole life can change...after a few years

4 people found this helpful

allenr

Harry Brockway is a graphics star

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2020

Verified Purchase

Bought for its illustrations and, as such, completely satisfying. If you don't already know his superb illustrations for the Folio Society's edition of Huckleberry Finn search them out.

One person found this helpful

Mrs. Pamela A. Barlow

Replacement

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 16, 2019

Verified Purchase

I loved this book from the first moment I picked it up, it is such a simple heartwarming story and remarkably in tune with our attitudes to the world today. I lost my original copy and this copy is immaculate and arrived promptly. I still love it.

One person found this helpful

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