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Title: The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed
ISBN: 0393058875
Author:
John Vaillant
Publicate Date: 2005-05-09
Publish: 2005-05-09
List Price: $24.95
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Hardcover
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $6.00
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $2.98
Amazon Merchant Price: $18.21
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1: The Golden Spruce: A True Story of Myth, Madness and Greed
The author of The Golden Spruce, John Vaillant, is the best modern writer that I have read
in years. This book is so good that I don't just recommend it to friends; I buy copies and
send them.
I am up to copy #16.
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2: An extreme form of environmental activism, beautifully written.
"The Golden Spruce" is one of the few books that I wished there was more by the time I was reading the last page. Beautifully written and highly informative, John Vaillant's book is the "Perfect Storm" and "Into Thin Air" of old-growth coniferous forests of the Pacific Northwest, Western British Columbia, and southeastern Alaska and the development of, and the attendant risks involved in, logging. In particular, the book revolves around an extreme act of protest against the lumber industry committed by a modern-day Paul Bunyan, the ultimate outdoorsman, in the person of Grant Hadwin, who was himself a trained logger but eventually went through a complete mental and spiritual conversion to an environmental advocate. To the perspective of the indigenous people of the Queen Charlotte Islands and tourists who cherished a biological rarity deep in the protected woods, his act was unspeakable and unimaginable. He was about to face justice in Haida Gwaii but decided to do so under the most treacherous circumstances--by paddling a kayak across the dangerous and unpredictable Hecate Strait from Prince Rupert, B.C. in February. His disappearance, as well as his reputation for being a survivor in the formidable wet wilderness of western Canada and southeastern Alaska has made him larger-than-life, a legend. This was no crazy man. Hadwin's eloquent manifesto to the pitfalls of human civilization was not unique but revealed a deep understanding of how our common notions of progress could get us in trouble.
The book's namesake was a rare biological idiosyncrasy indeed. In a language designed for lay reading, the author explains that the genetic mutation affected the protein(s) involved in the alignment of chloroplasts, which in turn responds to the angle of sunlight to maximize photosynthesis. This mutation did not necessarily undermine the viability of the plant; if anything, the plant lived for longer than 300 years--and could have survived longer, if only.... Instead of succumbing to a potentially lethal mutation, the plant lucked out thanks to extrinsic factors that increased its chances for survival. Unfortunately, these factors have been difficult to replicate under controlled conditions and under close watch by horticulturists and forestry specialists at the University of British Columbia, among other locations. Additionally, the plant turned out to be sterile; whether this was a direct or indirect result of the mutation was not elaborated, but that's quite beside the point. One of the best aspects of the book was the detail to which the author described the various attempts to rescue the tree by cloning, grafting, and other techniques. At the conclusion of the book, the reader is left with the hope that someone will succeed in extending the life of this tree through artificial means that are no less remarkable given the specific growth requirements of this individual tree. Whether scientists succeed or not, this tree, which meant so much to different people of different backgrounds and persuasions, not to mention the Haida people themselves, underscores the plasticity and fragility of nature. Even in these most forbidding environments where nature seems to rule, it takes only a brief moment in the life of the forest to see its members fall to oblivion. Sure, the sound of a Western conifer when felled can be stirring, but the power of human greed can be just as stirring--if not downright chilling. Grant Hadwin's gesture was not a tantrum or gesture of human folly. It is a strong symbol for what can go wrong when exploitation is pitted against preservation.
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3: The Golden Spruce
John Vaillant's "The Golden Spruce," is a strangely uneven read. Like many other readers, some of whom are Amazon reviewers, I purchased it because of the connection to Jon Krakauer's work.
I do recommend this book. But it comes with a warning: the story line is choppy. There are a number of tangents that Vaillant goes off on. Some are relevant, some not. Some are interesting, some not.
The central theme is of course, "why did forester Grant Hadwin do it?" Vaillant's tale of sleuthing and detective work drives this, the story line. This will be the force that motivates most readers.
Some readers will be disappointed because Vaillant's tale ends without clarity or resolution. Above all, there is much sadness and pain, for Hadwin has committed a deliberate and evil act, designed to hurt. His crime is an act of eco-terrorism inflicted upon native people, for whom the Golden Spruce is not only a "cash-cow," but more importantly a symbol of pride and heritage. Hadwin's crime is a crime against nature and a people, although Vaillant does his best to salvage and explain the twisted logic that may have motivated him.
"The Golden Spruce" is not an easy read. But it is tale you will not soon forget.
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4: There were two freaks of nature to this story
The story is set in the Northern Pacific coast where in 1997 a crumpled kayak is found beached. The story tries to center itself around a 300 year old rare Sitca Spruce and an individualist named Grant Hadwin bent on fighting the establishment. Hadwin is a fascinating figure and just as questionable: for one night he just goes off into the woods to cut down that 300 year old tree of worship; the golden spruce.
There is a lengthy lead-up covering the long history through which the golden spruce survived. The geography, the natives and their culture, the early settlers, the loggers and the dangers they faced, the tough individuals that settled the Northwest, and the technical information is all very interesting; this is the stories strength. The main theme that Vaillant portrays is the destruction of natures oldest living giants by the greedy lumber barons.
Grant Hadwin was a logger and a natural woodsman, with an almost inhuman toughness. But the world failed to see the forest for the trees; the fuse was lit. After the felling of the spruce, Hadwin made a run for the remote wilderness in a kayak. In the neighborhoods and surrounding native villages the downing of that tree was tantamount to murder. Hadwin was never found----he is presumed dead. There were two freaks of nature to this story. Later, there were attempts to take grafts from the fallen spruce.
The reader can find numerous messages; although subtle, the authors' environmentalism, anti-capitalism, and anti-religion agenda are all too evident. I wish that he would have just told the story. He puts strength in words, but he tends to lose the reader, is disorganized, goes off on tangents, and wanders; the story is overloaded with too many distractions.
There is more to these words besides the obvious, the obvious: the myth was what surrounded the golden spruce, the madness was Hadwin, and the greed was the lumber companies.
I believe Hadwin wanted to divert attention away from the aggressive clear cutting, and in a way, kill a god. I actually don't have a problem with what he did, unlike so many others. And at the same time do not have a problem with our capitalistic system. Being in the lumber business in the late seventies to the mid eighties there was a noticeable decrease in quality of lumber. But I see the forest as a blessing, a gift from God----given to us to build our homes, give us shelter, and improve our lives. Conservation will keep our forests and build our economy, but environmentalism will destroy our economy and eventually doom or forests.
Wish you well
Scott
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5: Stunning "Golden Spruce"
The Golden Spruce is good for anyone who likes well-written, John McPhee-esque detailed descriptions of nature, cultures, history, personalities. The actual story could probably be written in under 30 pages. The rest is amazing descriptions of the Northwest of Canada. I loved it. I bought three copies to give away, one for my husband's birthday. He loved it. I was fascinated by the stories that allowed the author to showcase the stunning nature. It was fabulous from beginning to end. "Sad" also....
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