Here's a list of our favorites...
- Beyond the Beauty Strip by Mitch
Lansky (1992) Tilbury House Publishers. Mitch Lansky shatters the myths
surrounding current forest management practices, the false "jobs vs. the
environment" dichotomy, and that "what is good for industry is good for
our communities." This book is required reading for anyone who cares about
the northern forests of the U.S. and the people whose lives and futures
depend on them."
- The Big Outside by Dave Foreman
and Howie Wolke (1992) Harmony Books. A descriptive inventory of the Big
Wilderness areas of the United States. This book is both a guide and an
inspiration for all those interested in preserving what's left of wild America.
- Biodiversity by E.O. Wilson
(1988) National Academy Press. This book has been called one of the most
comprehensive and easily read syntheses available to date on the consequences
of destruction of biological diversity.
- Clearcut: The Tragedy of Industrial
Forestry (1993) Earth Island Press, ed. Bill Devall. Over 300 color
photographs by America's leading nature photographers of clearcuts on public
and private lands throughout the United States and Canada. Looking through
this book leaves a deep impression of the hideous devastation wrought by
misguided forest policies. Essays by leaders in the forest and deep ecology
movement. Call Save America's Forests for more details.
- Clearcutting, A Crime Against
Nature by Edward (Ned) Fritz (1989) Eakin Press. In this fast paced
book, Ned Fritz destroys the myth that we "need" clearcutting. He shows
examples of how selection management can be successful in all forest types,
and describes variations of clearcutting used to deceive the uninformed
forest activist. Forest Reform Network, 4414 Cochran Chapel Rd. Dallas,
TX 75209, 214-352-8370, Ned Fritz—Director
- Confessions Of An Eco-Warrior
by Dave Foreman (1990) Crown . A collection of essays from the founder of
Earth First! with detailed analysis of the past and present direction of
the environmental/wilderness movement.
- A Conspiracy of Optimism by
Paul Hirt (1994) documents the management of the National Forests since
WWII. Shows how the same mistakes are being made over and over again. U.
of Nebraska Press.
- Deep Ecology: Living as if Nature
Mattered by Bill Devall and George Sessions (1985) Peregrine Smith.
This is the most important work on eco-philosophy for conservationists--Devall
and Sessions are respected professors and also grassroots wilderness activists.
- Desert Solitaire by Edward
Abbey (1971) University of Arizona Press. A superb collection of essays
on the Southwest by one of our nation’s greatest environmental writers.
- The Diversity of Life by E.O.
Wilson (1992) Contemporary Publishing Co. An excellent primer on biodiversity
concepts.
- The Forest and the Trees by
Gordon Robinson (1989) Island Press. A preeminent American forester, Robinson
has crafted a complete argument against clearcutting and for selection management,
from a professional forestry perspective. A must for the forest activist
arguing with foresters.
- A Forest Journey by John Perlin
(1989) W.W. Norton. An insightful historical overview of the role of wood
in the development of civilization from ancient to modern times
- The Forest Primeval by Chris
Maser (Sierra Club Books) A multi-century account of the life of a forest
in the Pacific Northwest.
- Ghost Bears, Exploring the Biodiversity
Crisis by R. Edward Grumbine (1993) Island Press. Grumbine explains
the science of conservation biology, environmental laws, land management
practices, and environmental values that must be understood if the destruction
we are wreaking is to be brought under control.
- The Great American Forest by
Rutherford Platt (1965) Prentice Hall. One of the finest books written about
America’s forest ecosystems, describing millions of years of evolution with
a colorful and educational account of forest ecology, and the sad history
of human encroachment on our once magnificent forest kingdom. (Check your
Library).
- The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (1968)
Random House. With powerful indictments of the timber-beast, the Once-ler,
Dr. Seuss combines a delightful children's story with cutting political
and economic analysis; very pertinent in today's crisis.
- The Practice of the Wild by
Gary Snyder (1991) North Point Press. A collection of essays--a guide to
living in harmony with the wild.
- Rediscovering America: John Muir
in His Time and Ours by Frederick Turner (1985) Sierra Club Books. This
is an exceptional biography of the quintessential American conservationist--John
Muir.
- Reforming the Forest Service
by Randal O’Toole. (1988) Island Press. This book gives all the ins and
outs of the Byzantine Forest Service accounting systems, explains how they
misuse silvicultural principles to justify incredible overcutting. A thorough
reading of this book will leave you very well versed on USFS policies and
the terminology of the timber industry. CHEC (Cascade Holistic Economic
Consultants) 14417 S.E. Laurie, Oak Grove, OR 97267, (503) 652-7049, Randal
O’Toole, Forest Economist
- A Sand County Almanac by Aldo
Leopold (1949) Oxford University Press. One of the first and greatest of
conservation ethicists, Leopold entreats humanity to rejoin the community
of life, to rediscover the "green fire" that modern civilization has lost.
- Secrets Of The Old Growth Forest
by David Kelly and Gary Braasch (1988) Gibbs Smith Publishing. A beautiful
and educational book about America’s Ancient Forests. Information on forest
ecology, and the timber industry’s economic and political struggle to destroy
the wilderness. Magnificent photography. Ask your library to purchase a
copy.
- A Walking Guide to Oregon's Ancient
Forests by Wendell Wood (1991) Oregon Natural Resources Council. Portland,
OR. Gives directions to more than 200 of Oregon's finest and most accessible
ancient forest groves.
- War Against the Greens by
David Helvarg (1994) explains the "wise use" movement, the "new right" and
explores the growing trend to violence against environmental advocates.
Sierra Club Books.
- Where Have All the Birds Gone?
by John Terborgh (1990) Princeton University Press. Essays on the Biology
and Conservation of Birds that Migrate to the American Tropics. This is
a key book for conservationists fighting fragmentation of forests.
- Woods Woman by Anne LaBastille
(1978). An ecologist's life in her self-built cabin in the Adirondack Wilderness
of New York, and Beyond Black Bear Lake (1988) is her follow-up book decrying
the degradation of the Adirondacks.
- The Yew Tree: A Thousand Whispers
by Hal Hartzell, Jr. (1991) Hulogosi. PO Box 1188, Eugene, OR, 97440.
An insightful, in-depth look at the history and current status of the Yew
all over the world, including medicinal properties.
TOP