The Science category has 986 audiobooks on Listento.it, with an average listener rating of 4.5★ across 9,896 ratings. The most-rated is Astrophysics for People in a Hurry.
Fifty Years on the Trail
Summary
Fifty Years on the Trail is the true story of John Young Nelson (1826-1903), an early frontiersman, military scout, interpreter, guide, and saloon owner. Nelson ran away from home as a young teenager to adventure in the west. He worked on farms, served as a cabin boy on a Mississippi steamer, and became an apprentice with a group of traders traveling west from Missouri. After meeting a band of Sioux, he got himself adopted into the tribe, learned how to live off the land and became a Sioux warrior. It was Nelson who guided Brigham Young and the Mormon pioneers into Salt Lake Valley in 1847. Nelson later worked with Buffalo Bill fought and served as a sheriff in North Dakota. His exiting story provides fascinating insight into the early American west.
Public Domain (P)2020 Museum Audiobooks
The Powerful Benefits of Myrrh
Summary
Who could have thought that a small thorny tree could be considered one of the most precious plants here on Earth? Myrrh is a unique herbal plant that has been revered since ancient times. King Solomon praised it while the Romans regarded its essential oils with praise. Even today, many still swear by its unique special properties for healing and cleansing. If you're wondering how you can use myrrh for yourself, this book will be essential. From using myrrh for skincare, for health, or for spiritual and space cleansing, this book will serve as your guide into the wonderful world of myrrh.
©2017 Smart Reads (P)2017 Smart Reads
Paying Ourselves to Save the Planet
Summary
Nothing is more important to the future of our world than correcting our political misunderstanding of money. And nothing is more challenging than explaining that misunderstanding — and correcting it — in a non-technical style that will engage the imagination of the average layman. This book strives to do just that. It examines why the "standard money theory" we habitually apply to the world is incapable of confronting the challenges of global climate change. It then provides an easy-to-follow layman's explanation of "modern money theory" (MMT) and shows why this revolutionary perspective of the Reserve/bank-dollar system we use today is the best hope the world has to actually pay people to do the work (and alter their consumer choices) to save the planet.
©2020 J.D. Alt (P)2020 J.D. Alt
Psilocybin Magic Mushrooms
Summary
Psilocybin Magic Mushrooms: Cultivation Guide for Beginners: Discover Safe Use and After-Effects of Magic Mushrooms Do you want to explore the effects of magic mushrooms? Ever wondered what exactly happens when you take Magic Mushrooms? Do you want to grow magic mushrooms? If you answered "yes" to any of these, then this is the perfect, educational and informational book for you! Hello! Welcome to this guide to Psilocybin Magic Mushrooms. Magic mushrooms are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally-occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. Psilocybin is considered one of the most well-known psychedelics, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations. Magic mushrooms are also known as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps, philosopher's stones, liberties, Amani, and agaric. There are hundreds of different types of mushrooms that contain psilocybin and thus exhibit these hallucinogenic properties. They grow across wide sections of Mexico, South America, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia. Everything you need to know about magic mushrooms: In this book, you will find: Introduction and history of magic mushrooms Etymology and morphology Species of magic mushrooms Collecting and identifying mushrooms How to grow magic mushrooms The nine cardinal rules for growing magic mushrooms The required equipment fo growing magic mushrooms How to grow psychedelic mushrooms using grow kit Harvesting, storing, and preserving magic mushrooms Health applications of psychedelic mushrooms And much, much more! So, what are you waiting for? Buy now to join the millions of people already growing magic mushrooms!
©2020 Timothy De Jong (P)2020 Timothy De Jong
The Book of the Moon
Summary
Have you ever wondered if there are seasons on the moon or if space tourism will ever become commonplace? So has Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock. In fact, she earned her nickname “Lunatic” because of her deep fascination for all things lunar. In her lucidly written, comprehensive guide to the moon, Aderin-Pocock takes listeners on a journey to our closest celestial neighbor, exploring folklore, facts, and future plans.
She begins with the basics, unpacking everything from the moon’s topography and composition to its formation and orbit around the Earth. She travels back in time to track humanity’s relationship with the moon - beliefs held by ancient civilizations, the technology that allowed for the first moon landing, a brief history of moongazing, and how the moon has influenced culture throughout the years - and then to the future, analyzing the pros and cons of continued space travel and exploration. The Book of the Moon will be published for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.
Includes an interview with the author.
©2019 Maggie Aderin-Pocock (P)2019 Abrams Image
Foraging Guide: 3 Books in 1
Summary
This audiobook includes these three books: Identifying and Locating Regional Edible Wild Plants and Mushrooms Harvesting and Storing Edible Wild Plants in Different Seasons Preparing Flavorful Foods from Specific Parts of Edible Wild Plants You will learn: The benefits of eating wild plants Various edible wild plants that grow in summer, spring, autumn, and winter The parts of the plants that are edible and ways in which they can be prepared or consumed Tools to use for foraging Recipes to prepare healthy food using these plants and any other edibles you might forage for. What makes a good forager? It is his ability to identify and locate the edible wild plants in his vicinity. However, with over 80,000 edible species, this feat can be daunting at times. Yet, it is essential that any forager, whether a beginner or not, know his plants and mushrooms. The solution to this problem is simple, though. All any forager needs is this book to refer to when trying to identify edible wild plants and mushrooms in his region. We have identified, explained, and located 50 edible wild plants that a forager can find in his explorations. So, the question is, are you ready for the foraging revolution? The hunting and gathering era is coming back, and you don't want to be left out. The knowledge of how to forage is something that everyone needs to have at this time. There is a need to have all the necessary tools in your arsenal. There are several sources where you can get this information from, but none will be as reliable as a book on the topic. You need a book like this one that you can trust to give you adequately researched and proven info. So, buy the audiobook, start listening, and let’s get started - today!
©2020 Mona Greeny (P)2020 Mona Greeny
Backyard Chickens
Summary
Are you thinking of raising chickens for eggs, meat, or both, but you have a lot of questions? What is the cost? Why should I raise chickens? What are the pros and cons? Is it something feasible or not? If you are assessing this book in the hope of finding answers, then you have come to the right place. You are about to learn the exact details on raising backyard chickens and whether it is something you can do. The chapters contain answers to the following: The pros and cons of raising chickens The legal points Chicken breeds best for eggs, meat, or both Care requirements Health As you go through the information, you are also going to learn: Common problems with chickens Ways to integrate new flock members Myths and the truths about chickens Frequently asked questions and their answers This audiobook is everything you need to know from A to Z about raising backyard chickens. Predators, illness, and handling discussions are contained inside to help you understand what a day in the life of a chicken owner is going to be like. You may be considering chickens because of recent things like the COVID-19 outbreak that changed the grocery industry. Well, it’s time to discover if raising backyard chickens is for you or even feasible in the residential area you where live. Find the answers here, and get started on the path to better eggs, meat, or just a new type of pet. Click the "buy now" button to get started!
©2020 Anita Smith (P)2020 Anita Smith
Mad Like Tesla
Summary
A search for the contemporary Nikola Tesla - considered a mad scientist by his society for predicting global warming more than 100 years ago - fuels this analysis of climate issues, which introduces thinkers and inventors who are working to find possible ways out of the energy crisis. From Louis Michaud, a retired refinery engineer who claims we can harness the energy of man-made tornadoes, to a professor and a businessman who are running a company that genetically modifies algae so it can secrete ethanol naturally, these individuals and their unorthodox methods are profiled through first-person interviews, exposing the social, economic, financial, and personal barriers that prevent them from making an impact with their ideas. The existing state of green energy technologies, such as solar, wind, biofuels, smart grid, and energy storage, is also explored, creating a sense of hope against a backdrop of climate dread.
©2011 Tyler Hamilton (P)2012 Audible, Inc.
The Feynman Lectures on Physics: Volume 7, Feynman on Mechanics
Summary
For more than 30 years, Richard P. Feynman's three-volume Lectures on Physics has been known worldwide as the classic resource for students and professionals alike. Ranging from the most basic principles of Newtonian physics through such formidable theories as Einstein's general relativity, superconductivity, and quantum mechanics, Feynman's lectures stand as a monument of clear exposition and deep insight. This timeless audio serves as a comprehensive library of essential physics by a legend in science. Volume 7 makes up a course in mechanics, and includes chapters on the moment of inertia, rotation in space, transients, linear systems, and more.
(P)2000 Perseus Publishing
The Infinite Monkey Cage: The Complete Series 10-13
Summary
Brian Cox and Robin Ince present a witty, irreverent look at the world according to science. The Infinite Monkey Cage has become one of BBC Radio 4's most popular science-based programmes. In each episode physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince delve into a particular field of science, with the help of guests from the worlds of science, academia and entertainment. These 29 episodes feature subjects ranging from the solar system to war, from UFOs to climate change, and from the mathematics of love to artificial intelligence. This collection also includes two special episodes from December 2015 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity and the 2014 and 2015 Christmas specials. Well-known guests featured in this collection include Dave Gorman, Sara Pascoe, Dara O Briain, Alexei Sayle, Ross Noble, Eric Idle, Jo Brand, Lee Mack, Josie Long, Katy Brand and Stephen Fry.
©2017 BBC Worldwide Ltd (P)2017 BBC Worldwide Ltd
How to Raise Farm Animals
Summary
Raising farm animals is an excellent profession. Contrary to popular belief, starting the profession doesn't cost as much as many think. Also, becoming an expert in livestock rearing does not mean living on a farm. Farm animals can be raised in an existing corner that can be safely converted into a shed. Farm animals, like chickens, can be housed in a small cage. This will not only provide you with eggs but also guarantee a constant supply of meat. Indeed, raising farm animals is a sure way to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Farm animals provide quality meats, nutritious milk, tasty eggs, and salable wool and fibers. This book provides a thorough explanation of the process of raising farm animals. There are five types of farm animals covered in this book, including goats, chickens, turkeys, cattle, and sheep. Each of these animals is well known for its ability to supply quality and nutritious meat, eggs and/or milk. Information on the different breeds of each animal and how to choose the best breed is also provided. This book provides the necessary information on the feed for each breed and how to raise them from birth to maturity. Information is provided on the process of extracting milk, egg production, and hatching the eggs. The book also examines how to get fibers from fiber producing goats, and how to shear a sheep's wool. This book explains the best place to get each farm animal, how to raise them to maturity, and how to butcher them. The book provides reasons why animals should not be purchased at an auction house and where to safely purchase your animals. Also, the book examines the different diseases and infections that can threaten the health of your animals. The book also provides information on how to treat each disease and infection, especially at the infant stage. If you have ever considered having farm animals, now is your chance to learn if this a good option for you. You may be surprised to learn how fun and rewarding it can be. Click the "Buy Now" button to get started.
©2020 Anita Smith (P)2020 Anita Smith
CBD Hemp Oil 101
Summary
Learn how to improve your health, reduce pain and anxiety, and feel happy again with CBD hemp oil. Do you have any of the following questions: Can CBD oil help me reduce my pain? Can CBD oil reduce my anxiety? Can CBD oil improve my health? If so, I have good news: the answer to all these questions is "Yes!" There is a way. CBD, which is short for cannabidiol, is the main component in CBD hemp oil. CBD is a chemical compound found in industrial hemp, a cannabis plant. Only recently, CBD has been found to have profound positive effects on the health of people who had exhausted all other medical treatment. CBD has turned out to be a real life-saver! Are you struggling with health issues? Then you should give CBD hemp oil a try! Why you should check out CBD Hemp Oil 101: CBD Hemp Oil 101 is a complete, no-fluff guide to hemp oil and CBD that will turn you from an absolute beginner into a CBD expert. Here is what you will learn: What is CBD? Health benefits of CBD What is CBD hemp oil? How to buy CBD oil Various kinds of hemp oil How to make CBD hemp oil Is CBD hemp oil legal? And much more! The bottom line? If you apply what you will learn in CBD Hemp Oil 101, your life will never be the same. So, buckle up and get ready for the ride! Let's get started, shall we?
©2018 Tommy Rosenthal (P)2018 Tommy Rosenthal
How to Build a Dinosaur
Summary
In movies, in novels, in comic strips, and on television, we've all seen dinosaurs - or at least somebody's educated guess of what they would look like. But what if it were possible to build, or grow, a real dinosaur without finding ancient DNA? Jack Horner, the scientist who advised Steven Spielberg on the blockbuster film Jurassic Park and a pioneer in bringing paleontology into the 21st century, teams up with the editor of the New York Times's Science Times section to reveal exactly what's in store. In the 1980s, Horner began using CAT scans to look inside fossilized dinosaur eggs, and he and his colleagues have been delving deeper ever since. At North Carolina State University, Mary Schweitzer has extracted fossil molecules---proteins that survived 68 million years---from a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil excavated by Horner. These proteins show that T. rex and the modern chicken are kissing cousins. At McGill University, Hans Larsson is manipulating a chicken embryo to awaken the dinosaur within---starting by getting it to grow a tail and eventually prompting it to grow the forelimbs of a dinosaur. All of this is happening without changing a single gene. This incredible research is leading to discoveries and applications so profound they're scary in the power they confer on humanity. How to Build a Dinosaur is a tour of the hot rocky deserts and air-conditioned laboratories at the forefront of this scientific revolution.
©2009 Jack Horner and James Gorman (P)2009 Tantor
The Fermi Paradox: The History and Legacy of the Famous Debate over the Existence of Aliens
Summary
“The size and age of the universe incline us to believe that many technologically advanced civilizations must exist. However, this belief seems logically inconsistent with our lack of observational evidence to support it. Either (1) the initial assumption is incorrect and technologically advanced intelligent life is much rarer than we believe, or (2) our current observations are incomplete and we simply have not detected them yet, or (3) our search methodologies are flawed and we are not searching for the correct indicators, or (4) it is the nature of intelligent life to destroy itself.” (The Fermi Paradox) As technological advances and the creation of flying aircraft became realities, the sighting of UFOs increased, as did the interest in potential contact with aliens. While incidents like the one at Roswell led to conspiracies and a craze among those who insisted the government was hiding proof of extraterrestrials’ existence, governments across the world were actually secretly studying UFO sightings by the mid-20th century. Given all of that, it would hardly be groundbreaking for scientists in the 20th century to have a lunchtime discussion in which the search for extraterrestrial life arises, and the question of where it might reside is innocuous enough. However, a furor was created somewhat innocently when physicist Enrico Fermi voiced his “casual lunchtime remark” in the presence of colleagues in 1950. The august company included Edward Teller, a Hungarian physicist, Herbert York, am American nuclear physicist whose lineage included Mohawk heritage, and Emil Konopinski, a nuclear physicist of Polish origin. Fermi himself, an Italian-American born in Rome, was renowned for developing a statistical base for subatomic phenomena, work on nuclear alterations caused by neutrons, and for leading the first controlled chain reaction from nuclear fission. In pursuit of managing the atom, he created the first nuclear reactor. A gifted theoretician, he advanced the field of statistical mechanics, and won the Nobel Prize over a decade before he asked his important question. The four men represented a fair percentage of the research core during the Manhattan Project that developed and produced the atomic bomb. Despite the sophisticated conversation that appears to have followed, Fermi’s oft-asked question soon became elevated within the scientific community as the Fermi Paradox. The subsequent musings on our search for extraterrestrial life have grown to such proportions that extensive lists of solutions to the inquiry proliferate with each passing year. Not only is the core of the question bombarded with speculative theory, but the viability of the term paradox is itself called into question. Merriam-Webster characterizes a paradox as “a statement that is seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense and yet is perhaps true”. The definition adds to the same contradictory statement the caveat of appearing to be true at first. By every account of the Fermi conversation, the physicist raised a question as to where extraterrestrial life might be hiding, not a statement as to whether it existed. For a contradictory statement to be true on a first hearing would require a reversal for the case of extraterrestrial search, as it requires a first observable example. It must begin as an untrue statement, or one that is perceived so. Evidence-based science must proceed then, from the most skeptical position to a hopeful reversal. Similarly, the Merriam-Webster paradox requests a premise steeped in a reasonable model. With no external observations accomplished, our own is the only one available.
©2020 Charles River Editors (P)2021 Charles River Editors
The Beginning and the End of Everything
Summary
Read by Dallas Campbell. The Beginning and the End of Everything is the whole story as we currently understand it - from nothing, to the birth of our universe, to its ultimate fate. Authoritative and engaging, Paul Parsons takes us on a roller-coaster ride through billions of light-years to tell the story of the big bang, from birth to death. 13.8 billion years ago, something incredible happened. Matter, energy, space and time all suddenly burst into existence in a cataclysmic event that’s come to be known as the big bang. It was the birth of our universe. What started life smaller than the tiniest subatomic particle is now unimaginably vast and plays home to trillions of galaxies. The formulation of the big bang theory is a story that combines some of the most far-reaching concepts in fundamental physics with equally profound observations of the cosmos. From our realisation that we are on a planet orbiting a star in one of many galaxies, to the discovery that our universe is expanding, to the groundbreaking theories of Einstein that laid the groundwork for the big bang cosmology of today - as each new discovery deepens our understanding of the origins of our universe, a clearer picture is forming of how it will all end. Will we ultimately burn out or fade away? Could the end simply signal a new beginning, as the universe rebounds into a fresh expanding phase? And was our big bang just one of many, making our cosmos only a small part of a sprawling multiverse of parallel universes?
©2018 Paul Parsons (P)2018 Michael O'Mara
The Tide
Summary
Here is the epic story of the centuries-long search to understand the tide: from Aristotle, said to have drowned himself when he failed to figure out the Greek tides, to the pioneering investigations into the role of the moon by Galileo and Newton to supercomputing in our own time. Celebrated science writer Hugh Aldersey-Williams whisks the listener along on his travels to Nova Scotia, where the tides are the strongest in the world; to arctic Norway, home of the raging tidal whirlpool known as the maelstrom; and to Venice, to explore efforts to defend against the famed acqua alta. Along the way Aldersey-Williams reveals the tidal truths behind the legends of Scylla and Charybdis, the story of Moses parting the Red Sea, the conquests of Julius Caesar, the Boston Tea Party, and the D-day landings in Normandy.
©2016 Hugh Aldersey-Williams (P)2016 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books
Raising Goats for Dummies
Summary
Raise goats and reap the rewards. Raising Goats for Dummies provides you with an introduction to all aspects of owning, caring for, and the day-to-day benefits of raising goats. Raising Goats for Dummies is your how-to guide for: Breaking down the complicated process of choosing and purchasing the right goat breed to meet your needs and getting facilities for your goat set up Providing in-depth information on proper grooming, handling, feeding, and milking Covering the basics of goat health and nutrition Offering tips and advice for using your goat to produce milk, meat, fiber, and more Understand what makes these useful and delightful creatures so popular and gain the knowledge and skills to properly care for and utilize their many offerings.
©2010 Wiley Publishing, Inc. (P)2019 Tantor
The Physics of Everyday Things
Summary
Physics professor, best-selling author, and dynamic storyteller James Kakalios reveals the mind-bending science behind the seemingly basic things that keep our daily lives running, from our smartphones and digital "clouds" to X-ray machines and hybrid vehicles. Most of us are clueless when it comes to the physics that makes our modern world so convenient. What's the simple science behind motion sensors, touch screens, and toasters? How do we glide through tolls using an E-ZPass or find our way to new places using GPS? In The Physics of Everyday Things, James Kakalios takes us on an amazing journey into the subatomic marvels that underlie so much of what we use and take for granted. Breaking down the world of things into a single day, Kakalios engages our curiosity about how our refrigerators keep food cool, how a plane manages to remain airborne, and how our wrist fitness monitors keep track of our steps. Each explanation is coupled with a story revealing the interplay of the astonishing invisible forces that surround us. Through this "narrative physics," The Physics of Everyday Things demonstrates that - far from the abstractions conjured by terms like the Higgs boson, black holes, and gravity waves - sophisticated science is also quite practical. With his signature clarity and inventiveness, Kakalios ignites our imaginations and enthralls us with the principles that make up our lives.
©2017 James Kakalios (P)2017 Random House Audio
Psilocybin Mushrooms
Summary
You Are About To Discover Why Our Ancestors Relied On The Power Of Magic Psilocybin Mushrooms To Life A Longer, Healthier, Happier Life! Have you come across the magic mushrooms trend that is taking over the world by storm because of the benefits that magic mushrooms are touted for? Or have you come across news that some States are taking steps to legalize magic mushrooms and are wondering what’s with these mushrooms that makes them worth the attention of law makers? And do you want to be an early adopter to this new natural remedy for depression, stress, anxiety, migraines, terminal illnesses, and much more? If you’ve yes, keep reading.... Indeed, magic mushrooms have the power to bring about benefits you may not have imagined. And they are all natural and don’t have some of the side effects of mainstream medication if used properly. So how exactly do these mushrooms work to bring about the effects? How do you use them safely to avoid any negative effects? What benefits can mushrooms bring that you won’t find with elsewhere? How much of it should you use to bring about the different benefits? How can you use magic mushrooms to bring about the said benefits? Is it possible to grow your own mushrooms and how do you go about it? If you have these and other related questions, this two-in-one book is for you so keep reading! More precisely, you will learn: The basics of magic mushrooms, including what they are, what they do, the effects on the body, and their properties The origin and spiritual significance of psilocybin How psilocybin use has evolved over the years The spiritual and psychoactive effects of magic mushrooms The different mushroom products like mushroom powder Alcoholic mushroom extract and some mushroom recipes you can try Little known facts about magic mushrooms that you need to know before you start using them How to cure depression and stress using psilocybin mushrooms How to safely heal your body using mushrooms and the things to consider The herbal benefits of mushrooms The various strains and effects of psilocybin mushrooms, including how to avoid a negative experience How to use magic mushrooms to stop addiction The right dosage to take of psilocybin What the law says about magic mushrooms, their cultivation, and usage The history of mushroom cultivation The production process of psilocybin mushrooms in different environments and the best types of mushrooms suitable for cultivation The different cultivation techniques for magic mushrooms, including the best location and climate for psilocybin mushroom How to harvest, extract, and preserve psilocybin mushroom How and when to use the fresh mushroom How to identify mushrooms like a pro Tips and tricks for growing mushrooms The various production systems and the use of alternative culture procedures The plagues and diseases that affect magic mushrooms Tips on seeding and the conditions required for good development And much more Whether you are a complete beginner or have advanced knowledge of psilocybin or magic mushroom, you will find this two-in-one book useful. And lucky for you, it uses easy-to-follow, beginner friendly language to help you put what you learn into action! Indeed, you have no reason why you shouldn’t try magic mushrooms to deal with the problems you’ve been struggling with! So why wait any longer?
©2020 Anton McKenna (P)2020 Anton McKenna
The Golden Spruce
Summary
The Golden Spruce is the story of a glorious natural wonder, the man who destroyed it, and the fascinating, troubling context in which his act took place. A tree with luminous glowing needles, the golden spruce was unique, a mystery that biologically speaking should never have reached maturity; Grant Hadwin, the man who cut it down, was passionate, extraordinarily well-suited to wilderness survival, and to some degree unbalanced. But as John Vaillant shows in this gripping and perceptive book, the extraordinary tree stood at the intersection of contradictory ways of looking at the world; the conflict between them is one reason it was destroyed. Taking in history, geography, science and spirituality, this book raises some of the most pressing questions facing society today. The golden spruce stood in the Queen Charlotte Islands, an unusually rich ecosystem where the normal lines between species blur, a place where “the patient observer will find that trees are fed by salmon [and] eagles can swim.” The islands’ beauty and strangeness inspire a more personal and magical experience of nature than western society is usually given to. Without romanticizing, Vaillant shows that this understanding is typified by the Haida, the native people who have lived there for millennia and know the land as Haida Gwaii - and for whom the golden spruce was an integral part of their history and mythology. But seen a different way, the golden spruce stood in block 6 of Tree Farm License 39, a tract owned by the Weyerhaeuser forest products company. It survived in an isolated “set-aside” amidst a landscape ravaged by logging. Grant Hadwin had worked as a remote scout for timber companies; with his ease in the wild he excelled at his job, much of which was spent in remote stretches of the temperate rain forest, plotting the best routes to extract lumber. But over time Hadwin was pushed into a paradox: the better he was at his job, the more the world he loved was destroyed. It seems he was ultimately unable to bear the contradiction. On the night of January 20, 1997, with the temperature near zero, Hadwin swam across the Yakoun river with a chainsaw. Another astonishing physical feat followed: alone, in darkness, he tore expertly into the golden spruce - a tree more than two metres in diameter - leaving it so unstable that the first wind would push it over. A few weeks later, having inspired an outpouring of grief and public anger, Hadwin set off in a kayak across the treacherous Hecate Strait to face court charges. He has not been heard from since. Vaillant describes Hadwin’s actions in engrossing detail, but also provides the complex environmental, political and economic context in which they took place. This fascinating book describes the history of the Haida’s contacts with European traders and settlers, drawing parallels between the 19th century economic bubble in sea otter pelts - and its eventual implosion - and today’s voracious logging trade. The wood products industry is examined objectively and in depth; Vaillant explores the influence of logging not only on the British Columbia landscape but on the course of western civilization, from the expansion of farming in Europe to wood’s essential importance to the Great Powers’ imperial navies to the North American “axe age.” Along the way, The Golden Spruce includes evocative portraits of one of the world’s most unusual land- and seascapes, riveting descriptions of Haida memorial rites, and a lesson in the difficulty and danger of felling giant trees. Thrilling and instructive though it may be, The Golden Spruce confronts the listener with troubling questions. John Vaillant asks whether Grant Hadwin destroyed the golden spruce because - as a beautiful “mutant” preserved while the rest of the forest was devastated - it embodied society’s self-contradictory approach to nature, the paradox that harrowed him. Anyone who claims to respect the environment but lives in modern society faces some version of this problem; perhaps Hadwin, living on the cutting edge in every sense, could no longer take refuge in the “moral and cognitive dissonance” today’s world requires. The Golden Spruce forces one to ask: can the damage our civilization exacts on the natural world be justified?
©2005 John Vaillant (P)2021 Knopf Canada