Product Description

Fascinating compendium of facts, folklore, superstitions, myths, and anecdotes about trees and the forest. Forest customs, temples and sacred groves, mythical forest creatures, famous trees, unusual trees, tree worship, fossil trees, Yule logs, much more. "If you have a feeling for the mystery and enchantment of the woods, you will want to own this book."--Outlook.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #339504 in Books
• Published on: 2001-12-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780486420103
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Customer Reviews

The woods are lovely
This title is a new edition reprinted from the original, published in the late 19th century. As is common in books of its time, Porteous' is more a compilation of facts about trees in folklore, gleaned from a myriad of other sources. The Forest is less a book to be read from cover to cover than a reference. Well indexed, it is relatively easy to find information on just about any mythological association to trees and other woodsy denizens. Europe, Asia, North and South Americas, the Pacific Islands... there is hardly a region of the world not represented here. I did notice that much of the data in this volume can also be researched on the internet (although I have not googled for Asian/Eurasian/Middle Eastern material, I must admit.) Nevertheless, The Forest is handy for quick, all in one place fact finding.

useful for ethnobotany
Part of studying ethnobotany is understanding the mythology and folklore surrounding plants. I was recommended to buy this book for an ethnobotany class, and I found it to be very informative and useful. It explains a great deal of things, it really stays on track, and it has a ton of facts and information that really keeps your attention. This is really a great book, and if you are already interested enough to click on it, I'm sure you would love it!

Dry...
I have a love for trees and forests, so I thought I would love this book as well, but it's so dry that it puts me to sleep everytime I try to read it. It does have a lot of information, but it reads more like a laundry list than a narrative. If you're looking for information, this is your book. If you're looking for an interesting read, look elsewhere.