Oak

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Nature, Plant Life, Trees
Cover of the book Oak by Peter Young, Reaktion Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Peter Young ISBN: 9781780230597
Publisher: Reaktion Books Publication: February 15, 2013
Imprint: Reaktion Books Language: English
Author: Peter Young
ISBN: 9781780230597
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Publication: February 15, 2013
Imprint: Reaktion Books
Language: English

Botanical, a new series from Reaktion, is the first to integrate horticultural writing with a broader account of the cultural and social impact of plants. Oak, one of the first two books in the series, narrates the biography of the tree that since time immemorial has been a symbol of loyalty, strength, generosity, and renewal. Peter Young explores how the oak, native to the northern hemisphere and found in locations as diverse as the Americas and tropical Asia, has played an important role in state-building, art, folk tales, poems, and songs.

 

Starting with the pagan societies that venerated the oak, Young examines how the tree was used in other religions, revealing how it was believed to be a gateway between worlds in Celtic mythology and later became sacred to Thor in Norse mythology. He follows the oak as it was adopted by many Western European countries as a national symbol, including England, France, and Germany. The United States Congress designated the oak as America’s national tree in 2004, and it is the state tree of Iowa, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, and Georgia. Individual oak trees have also gained historical importance, such as the Charter Oak in Hartford, Connecticut, which became a symbol of American independence. In addition to tracing the history of the tree itself, Young investigates oak as a wood used to make furniture, bridges, wine casks, homes, ships, weapons, and even the electric chair, and he describes how the tree has been used as a food source—its fruit, the acorn, was eaten in ancient Greece, ancient Iberia, and Korea, and it was a traditional food of Native Americans.

 

Packed with information and beautiful illustrations, Oak tells the fascinating tale of this stately, durable member of the natural world.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Botanical, a new series from Reaktion, is the first to integrate horticultural writing with a broader account of the cultural and social impact of plants. Oak, one of the first two books in the series, narrates the biography of the tree that since time immemorial has been a symbol of loyalty, strength, generosity, and renewal. Peter Young explores how the oak, native to the northern hemisphere and found in locations as diverse as the Americas and tropical Asia, has played an important role in state-building, art, folk tales, poems, and songs.

 

Starting with the pagan societies that venerated the oak, Young examines how the tree was used in other religions, revealing how it was believed to be a gateway between worlds in Celtic mythology and later became sacred to Thor in Norse mythology. He follows the oak as it was adopted by many Western European countries as a national symbol, including England, France, and Germany. The United States Congress designated the oak as America’s national tree in 2004, and it is the state tree of Iowa, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, and Georgia. Individual oak trees have also gained historical importance, such as the Charter Oak in Hartford, Connecticut, which became a symbol of American independence. In addition to tracing the history of the tree itself, Young investigates oak as a wood used to make furniture, bridges, wine casks, homes, ships, weapons, and even the electric chair, and he describes how the tree has been used as a food source—its fruit, the acorn, was eaten in ancient Greece, ancient Iberia, and Korea, and it was a traditional food of Native Americans.

 

Packed with information and beautiful illustrations, Oak tells the fascinating tale of this stately, durable member of the natural world.

More books from Reaktion Books

Cover of the book Michel Foucault by Peter Young
Cover of the book Pablo Picasso by Peter Young
Cover of the book Berries by Peter Young
Cover of the book Jean-Paul Sartre by Peter Young
Cover of the book Mining in World History by Peter Young
Cover of the book Easy Riders, Rolling Stones by Peter Young
Cover of the book Moose by Peter Young
Cover of the book Dreamtelling by Peter Young
Cover of the book A Story of Six Rivers by Peter Young
Cover of the book Mad, Bad and Dangerous? by Peter Young
Cover of the book Staging the Archive by Peter Young
Cover of the book Constantin Brancusi by Peter Young
Cover of the book The Waterless Sea by Peter Young
Cover of the book A History of Diplomacy by Peter Young
Cover of the book Brandy by Peter Young
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy