Wood reveals the history and culture of a substance that has been a central part of human life throughout the world for thousands of years. In this rich and fascinating book, Harvey Green examines how wood in all its variety of form and function has contributed to an extraordinary range of human endeavors. From the prized whorls of a bird's-eye maple to the oak and pine that made navies and empires, from the breahtaking stave churches of Norway to the enduring popularity of the Windsor chair, from the magic of turning to the grace of a Chinese chair, and from the botany of the baseball bat to the stunning carving of Native Americas of the northwest coast, Wood decodes how a seemingly common material has come to signal class, status, and authenticity. Using the historian's craft and the woodworker's hand, Green has fashioned an authoritative book sure to interest all who love this amazing materials, appreciate its history, and care about its future.
