The Social Life of Trees Anthropological Perspectives on Tree Symbolism

'This is a challenging read for anyone who wants to view current Western preoccupations as the direct, unmediated voice of the trees. But it is also a good book for anyone who has seen the anger and passion of today's bypass campaigns - and who wants to see them in a social context as well as an ecological one.' 3rd Stone: Archaeology, Folklore and Myth 'This is a valuable collection ... It deepens understanding of the processes by which humans imagine and respond to their worlds.' The Australian Journal of Anthropology 'The text is ... persuasive and the ethnographic accounts are fascinating.' Oceania 'This is a challenging book with some rich pickings, not least Rival's overview chapter, which adds considerable value.' ECOS 'Offers fresh insights and perspectives on a topic that has evaded either global analysis or synthesis.' Ecumene 'The scope and spirit is agreeably ecumenical; the methods and contents rampantly diverse.' Ecumene