American Chestnut: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree
by Susan Freinkel
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Book Summary Information
Author: Susan FreinkelEdition: Hardcover
Published: 2007-11-19
ISBN: 0520247302
Number of pages: 294
Publisher: University of California Press
Book Reviews of American Chestnut: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree
Book Review: Perfect explanation of the science for the lay reader
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read a number of books in the genre of environmental science or nature that missed the mark for me when it came to explaining the science of the problem. This book was perfect. Some books spend too much time on personalities - again perfect and seemingly balanced. My only minor complaint was that I didn't need so much preaching about why I should care about the chestnut. I do! This book exceeded my expectations and I truly learned something from it.
Summary of American Chestnut: The Life, Death, and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree
The American chestnut was one of America's most common, valued, and beloved trees--a "perfect tree" that ruled the forests from Georgia to Maine. But in the early twentieth century, an exotic plague swept through the chestnut forests with the force of a wildfire. Within forty years, the blight had killed close to four billion trees and left the species teetering on the brink of extinction. It was one of the worst ecological blows to North America since the Ice Age--and one most experts considered beyond repair. In American Chestnut, Susan Freinkel tells the dramatic story of the stubborn optimists who refused to let this cultural icon go. In a compelling weave of history, science, and personal observation, she relates their quest to save the tree through methods that ranged from classical plant breeding to cutting-edge gene technology. But the heart of her story is the cast of unconventional characters who have fought for the tree for a century, undeterred by setbacks or skeptics, and fueled by their dreams of restored forests and their powerful affinity for a fellow species.Botany Books
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