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Book Review of The Overstory

The Overstory
The Overstory
Author: Richard Powers
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Hardcover
reviewed on + 1435 more book reviews


This was a difficult book for me to read because i found myself pondering and thinking over so many portions as I read. Sometimes it was a few paragraphs and sometimes it was pages. Nevertheless, there is so much here to internalize that when I finished I realized how much this read meant to me. I really enjoyed it.

All our lives we have planted and nourished trees. One year we planted 1200 and have watched them grow to maturity. Another time we planted 400 which now tower over our heads as we walk among them. A daughter gavoe us a planting of 400 trees in a national forest. It is our hope that 10,000 trees will be planted for us by the time we time.

We have loved wooden products our entire lives and when one member of the family died his children cut saplings to bring into the church for his funeral. He planted many trees and raised Christmas trees so those who wanted live trees could cut from his stands. He replaced them every year with more and more varieties. Look for the term "sustainable" forest on wooden items you purchase.

My childhood was dominated by a huge cottonwood that grew in our farm grove. We loved its shade, its height, its beauty. I don't know if it is still standing but we never cut a tree from that grove when we lived there. In our current home another huge cottonwood looms over the back side of our home. We are certain that it will outlive us and provide shade and beauty for those who follow us.

[book:The Overstory|40180098] unveiled so much about the trees and how they affect people and the earth. If only every individual who cut down a tree would plant two more we would not lose these beauties. Read this book. Ponder its messages. And, do what you can to keep our trees growing. Plant some every year!