Commentary/review

An extremely illuminating piece of historical journalism (or, as we say here, reportage). The writing is rich and tightly packed like the forests of the Pacific Northwest. There is material for about 20 separate books in just 14 these hours. The book does a great job of explaining American law, politics and society. It does not play on emotions. It is balanced, selecting and presenting stories in an order that does not allow taking an extreme position. There is always the other point of view, often not chosen by individuals or species described in the book but naturally grown into. The opposing interests cannot be reconciled – yet they have to keep expecting to be reconciled, as the rainforest keeps on growing. The book includes not only the views of the hard-working loggers and the environmentalists but also the odd enlightened spiritualist academic and his hummingbirds.

The book is a model of objective reporting. It teaches about forest stewardship, green activism and politics in great, carefully selected detail. It is a work of love – perhaps the love of life and of objectivity, or perhaps something unnamed. The Author is visible only in his continued journalistic effort. The current edition (Dec. 2024) is presented with a substantial foreword and a longish afterword by the same Author. His commitment to this case is unwavering.

David Colacci does the best job as a narrator, as usual. His accent is perfect for this subject matter.

The Pacific Northwest is the place where matsutake mushrooms now grow (see What a Mushroom Lives For and The Mushroom at the End of the World). The book fits my book needs exactly but it is a matter of particular taste.

The cover could be better but the title has gained so much recognition that it is not important.

Cover photo by Katie Drazdauskaite on Unsplash