Oak

Description

More than any other tree, the oak has been a symbol of strength and durability. Venerated in pagan societies, elements of its worship were absorbed by other religions: Celtic mythology, for example, where it is believed to be a gateway between worlds; or Norse, where it is sacred to Thor, god of thunder, as the tree most often struck by lightning. In Oak, Peter Young illuminates and examines this magnificent and ubiquitous tree, tracing its biological history in its many manifestations, natural and cultural. Much-loved internationally, the oak is to be found in works of art, folk-tales, poems and songs. Oak narrates the biography of the tree that since time immemorial has been a symbol of loyalty and strength, generosity and renewal.

Peter Young is an independent scholar who lives in Crawley, West Sussex. He is author of Tortoise (2003) and Swan (2007), both published by Reaktion.

"A wonderfully researched book with elegant photographs and illustrations. . . . It is factual as well as decorative and amusing. . . . The pictures of the oak tree as a thing of beauty and friend of mankind are well chosen and informative. . . . Dipping in is addictive."-- "Living Woods Magazine" "Every page is crammed with well-researched facts and vignettes, not a boring one among them. It is not Peter Young's purpose to range across the huge and varied oak family; rather, he describes the oak in the context of the natural world and how it has served and influenced man from the Stone Age up to the present day. . . . His story of oak 'both the tree and the versatile timber' is uplifting: a pity, I thought, to end with the gloomy and familiar refrain about climate change. But that is a small quibble; I still want to own this book, not just as a work of reference but also for the enjoyment it gives."-- "House and Garden" "Whether you're a hard-core gardener or simply have a curiosity about plants, [these] two titles . . . are sure to command your attention. . . . Titles in the Botanical series combine accessible horticulture writing and a look at the plant's cultural and social impact. The books are both scholarly and playful." -- "Chicago Tribune" "Young's carte blanche sends him off in all kinds of colourful and diverting by-ways. . . . Young writes with great verve and what appears to be a genuine love of oak trees. The illustrations are equally wide-ranging--and, in some cases, quite surprising. Let's hope that future titles in this series succeed with similar brilliance."-- "Hortus" "Handsomely designed and beautifully written volumes on subjects you might not think you're interested in. . . . The best thing about [Geranium] and Oak . . . is the focus on cultural history."-- "Boston Globe" "This slim volume is literally a romp in the park full of painters, novelists and historians. Oak establishes its credentials very quickly, then dashes along. The illustrations are marvelous. . . . Part of an attractive, lavishly illustrated new series, perfect for house gifts if you're visiting someone who'll welcome you with clean towels and a trowel."-- "New York Times Book Review"