The following book review is from the American Library Association's publication Booklist of September 1, 2006. This book received a starred review.
Tudge, Colin. The Tree: A Natural History of What Trees Are, How They Live, and Why They Matter. Oct. 2006. 464 p. illus. index. Crown, $27.95 (1-4000-5036-7)
British biologist and science-writer-extra- ordinaire Tudge offers a sumptuously specific tour of the phenomenal world of trees. Earth's longest-live sentinels, trees serve as the planet's lungs, organic metropolises for wildly diverse species, and the source of food, medicine, our most versatile building material, and a large quotient of nature's majestic beauty. After tracking the slow evolution of plant life from "metabolizing slime" to trees attaining gravity defying heights, Tudge declares that trees are engineering marvels and that "wood is one of the wonders of the universe." He is equally in awe over the astonishing variety of forms trees achieve around the globe, and precisely describes them, from oaks to baobobs to the mighty kauri. "Without trees, our species would not have come into being at all," declares Tudge, and now in this time of global warming, trees are key to our survival.
Tudge's explanation of how climate change will endanger trees is invaluable. Tudge shares knowledge and issues a call to action in this indispensable celebration of one of our most precious natural resources.