White Pine

American History and the Tree that Made a Nation

By: Andrew Vietze

Narrated by: Gabriel Vaughan

The history of the ubiquitous pine tree is wrapped up with the history of early America - and in the hands of a gifted storyteller becomes a compelling listen, almost an adventure story.

©2018 Andrew Vietze (P)2021 Tantor

Interesting story

The book holds true to the Authors description as a collection of stories associated with the Eastern White Pine Tree. It begins incredibly as a symbol of freedom and as the bud for a new nation, as the American colonists and British fought over the magnificent trees. While tea had motivated the divide between subject and King, I had been completely ignorant of the major conflicts over the property of the white pines, which further boosted our movement toward independence, and even aided in its aquirement. The British Navy relied on the bigger pines for their masts, which when denied, produced a crippled Navy unable to save Cornwall.

The book continues to tell of how the tree has handled since it's early use to around 2016. At this point the best part of the book is over in my opinion. A large part reads much like a logging advertisement, providing some interest but not nearly as much as before. The end gets interesting as the author discusses the battle against disease.

Overall I think it's a good simple book on a topic I'd otherwise know nothing about. It feels like the author is constantly trying to over exaggerate the significance of the tree, perhaps to draw the readers interest, which I thought was completely unnecessary. It makes me question how realistic the book really is, but I also have no use and no reason to criticize this info. I just feel like now I have to confirm his sources.