Frank Daniels and geologist Dick Dayvault (Rocks & Minerals editor for 30 years) team up to explore the intricacies of fossil wood by leading the reader on an expedition into the micro world of fossil wood mineralization and cell structures. 1600 colour photographs, charts, and diagrams, including 438 fossil wood micro images, 40 Geologic Landscapes, and 46 thin section micrographs from modern conifers and hardwoods. The book measures 28.5 × 31 cm and weighs 3.4 kg. Major chapters address fossil wood structure and identification, the process of wood transformation to stone, fossil woods from the western United States and around the world, and three major museum collections of fossil woods.
"The book is a photographic survey of most, if not all, of the major petrified wood deposits known to collectors worldwide. Highly recommended for all levels of academic libraries."
– CHOICE: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries
"Amazing book. The remarkable full color photographs are the most detailed and extensive on the subject available."
– Rock & Gem
"Any serious petrified wood collector, and every library, should own this book."
– Fossil News
"The presentation is excellent and useful [...] Ancient Forests is highly recommended"
– Rocks & Minerals