Synopses & Reviews
Jean Giono's extraordinary fable brings to life a shepherd who plants one hundred acorns a day for thirty years. The shepherd's tireless efforts transform the countryside, revitalize his community, and teach us about hope, humanity, and our own ability to create change in the world.
This special twentieth anniversary edition of The Man Who Planted Trees includes an inspiring foreword by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Wangari Maathai, whose Green Belt Movement has planted millions of trees and brought new hope to women and families in Kenya. The new afterword by TreePeople founder Andy Lipkis tells his own true story of planting trees in the unlikely ecosystems of Los Angeles, and provides practical resources for taking action in our communities. This edition is printed on 100 percent recycled paper.
Synopsis
Twenty years ago Chelsea Green published the first trade edition of The Man Who Planted Trees, a timeless eco-fable about what one person can do to restore the earth. The hero of the story, Elzeard Bouffier, spent his life planting one hundred acorns a day in a desolate, barren section of Provence in the south of France. The result was a total transformation of the landscape-from one devoid of life, with miserable, contentious inhabitants, to one filled with the scent of flowers, the songs of birds, and fresh, flowing water.
Since our first publication, the book has sold over a quarter of a million copies and inspired countless numbers of people around the world to take action and plant trees. On National Arbor Day, April 29, 2005, Chelsea Green released a special twentieth anniversary edition with a new foreword by Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the African Green Belt Movement.
Synopsis
This] simple classic may just hold the secret to meaningful existence.--Richard Powers, author of The Overstory
This book is so hopeful . . . and] it is something I believe--that you can change the world by planting trees.--Alice Waters, author of We Are What We Eat
Twenty years ago Chelsea Green published the first trade edition of The Man Who Planted Trees, a timeless eco-fable about what one person can do to restore the earth. The hero of the story, Elz ard Bouffier, spent his life planting one hundred acorns a day in a desolate, barren section of Provence in the south of France. The result was a total transformation of the landscape-from one devoid of life, with miserable, contentious inhabitants, to one filled with the scent of flowers, the songs of birds, and fresh, flowing water.
Since our first publication, the book has sold over a quarter of a million copies and inspired countless numbers of people around the world to take action and plant trees.
This edition includes a foreword by Wangari Maathai, winner of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and founder of the African Green Belt Movement.
It has given me much joy to reread this story.--Wendell Berry
About the Author
Jean Giono (1895-1970), the only son of a cobbler and a laundress, was one of France's greatest writers. He was a pacifist, and he was imprisoned in France for his beliefs during the Second World War. He wrote over thirty novels, scores of short stories, plays, poetry, essays, and filmscripts. Giono won the Prix de Monaco (for the most outstanding collected work by a French writer) among other awards. Michael McCurdy is one of America's finest wood engravers. He has illustrated nearly 200 books for trade publications and special fine-press editions. Wangari Maathai was awarded the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize for her work in restoring the environment and promoting economic well-being by planting of millions of trees in East Africa through her Green Belt Movement. Norma L. Goodrich is Professor Emeritus of French and Comparative Literature at the Claremont Colleges and author of Giono: Master of Fictional Modes. Andy Lipkis is the founder and president of TreePeople.