The Man Who Planted Trees: Jean Giono, Michael McCurdy: 9780930031022: Amazon.com: Books
The hero of the story, Elzeard Bouffier, spent his life planting one hundred acorns a day in a desolate, barren section of Provence, France. The result was a total transformation of the landscape -- from one devoid of life, with miserable, contentious inhabitants, to one filled with the scent of flowers, the songs of birds, and fresh, flowing water.
Chelsea Green is proud to once again collaborate with American Forests to present the Jean Giono Award to an individual who embodies the tree-planting spirit of Elzeard Bouffier. Past winners include Paul Rokich, who secretly planted trees under cover of night on the denuded hills of Utah's Oquirrh Mountains, land that had suffered from overgrazing, excessive logging, fires, and copper-mining activities.
We have joined the Paul Winter Consort in the release of a CD version of the acclaimed audio of this story. The original music was composed and is performed by the Paul Winter Consort, and the text is narrated by Robert J. Lurtsema, host of "Morning Pro Musica" on public radio station WGBH in Boston.
We are also offering packages of 12 beautiful note cards featuring six of Michael McCurdy's wood engravings from the book, with a message from the text on the back of each card.
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
The Man Who Planted Trees is not a detailed how-to guide to planting; it is a touching story of Elzéard Bouffier, who devoted his entire life to reforesting a desolate portion of Provence, in southern France. He single-handedly planted 100 acorns each day before, through, and after two world wars, and transformed a sorrowful place into one full of life and joy. Jean Giono's words offer a tribute to how much good one person can accomplish in a lifetime and advise on how to live life with deep meaning. Illustrated with moving, beautiful wood engravings by Michael McCurdy, The Man Who Planted Trees is simply written but powerful and unforgettable.
The text is also available on tape, eloquently narrated by Robert J. Lurtsema and accompanied by music from the Paul Winter Consort.
Product details
Hardcover: 56 pages
Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing Company (October 1995)
Language: English
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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man who planted jean giono elzeard bouffier wood engravings michael mccurdy little book paul winter many years make a difference short story plants trees johnny appleseed years ago barren land simple act norma goodrich winter and his consort world a better favorite story book to readVINE VOICE
Deanna J. Marquart
5.0 out of 5 stars "policy of the tree"Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2014
Format: Audio CassetteVerified Purchase
A friend recently discovered the writings of Jean Giono and recommended this writer to me. I'd never heard of him so I started by seeing what I could find out about him on the web. I learned he had made available for free the entire text of THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES to anyone who wanted to use it, including an American who wanted to print 100,000 copies to distribute free of charge. In his response to authorize this use, Giono wrote: "I believe it is time for us to have a 'policy of the tree.'" I am a retired public policy analyst, and that verbiage piqued my interest immediately. My initial interest was rewarded many times over by the experience of reading Giono's short narrative about the man who planted trees, and I have now read it several times and listened to an audible version of it on cassette tape. Like the other Giono writings I have now read, THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES is not just beautifully written -- although certainly that -- but also beautifully conceived as an homage to aspects of humanity that make the world a better place.
18 people found this helpful
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diane
4.0 out of 5 stars New Edition with "Tree People"Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2019
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This is a beautiful story - I have the older edition and gifted this to a friend because of the "Tree People" entry. She was delighted since she is a great contributor to their foundation. The pictures/engravings are of good quality - they did not cut corners to provide a quality new edition to this classic!
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John A. Leraas
5.0 out of 5 stars An absolutely wonderful story, well toldReviewed in the United States on December 31, 2016
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A beautiful little book about ecosystems and how the work of a man can rebuild them.
Clearly the work of a master of his craft who well understands the matters about which he writes.
It's the sort of book you'd like to read again; a book you should read to,your grandkids
You won't be sorry you bought this book.
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VINE VOICE
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking, gentle storyReviewed in the United States on March 16, 2010
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I have had a copy of this book for over ten years, I loaned it to everyone I could. The last time I loaned it, it didn't come back. So, I bought the edition shown here. This has woodblock art in with it, beautiful work. I read the book every now and then because it is uplifting. The way Mr. Giono wrote it is so vivid, it's like you are there. It's actually a short story and takes about 20 - 30 minutes to read. But it has a high re-readability factor. Get this and share with your children, a friend who is down in the dumps, or buy one for the school library.
A re-assuring, peaceful, wonderful story with a simple, unforgettable message.
19 people found this helpful
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John McAndrew
5.0 out of 5 stars FabulousReviewed in the United States on September 4, 2004
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
In many readers' lives there are a few books, or maybe only one, which serve as touchstones. They define us like our most vivid memories do. Not many books or stories deserve that kind of devotion, but this one does. It isn't timeless - it's deeply rooted in 20th century France - but its honest treatment of the time and place is one of the things that makes it universal.
There are dozens of facets that could be highlighted in a review, but the one I find most compelling is Giono's treatment of a man alone and how he is yet connected to the world around him. Even a solitary figure can contribute to the birth and health of a community. It's not clear why he does his work, but it's clear that the work is good.
There is such hope here, but no easy palliative. It is a call to lifelong diligence in the service of something good, and important, and bigger than ourselves.
23 people found this helpful
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Martin A.
5.0 out of 5 stars Revie of The Man Who Planted Trees.Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2012
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I used to live on an acre of land in the suburbs of Boston. My next-door neighbor was a retired college professor, scholar, farmer, New England resourceful - use it till it can't be used any more and then use it for something else - kind of guy. He taught me to make garden implements out of scrap wood or unused material and gave me the book The Man Who Planted Trees. He taught me to revere growing things. I planted more than fifty trees on my property.
This wonderful tale has been reviewed by professionals so I won't attempt it. I can, however, share the memory of my neighbor and state that this book is a pleasure to read.
8 people found this helpful
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Melanie
5.0 out of 5 stars Will inspire you and your children to care for nature.Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2002
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
The Man Who Planted Trees is the tale of Elzeard Bouffier, a man who, after his son and wife die, spends his life reforesting miles of barren land in southern France. Bouffier's planting of thousands and thousands of trees results in many wondrous things occurring, including water again flowing in brooks that had been dry for many years. The brooks are fed by rains and snows that are conserved by the forest that Bouffier planted. The harsh, barren land is now pleasant and full of life.
Written by Jean Giono, this popular story of inspiration and hope was originally published in 1954 in Vogue as "The Man Who Planted Hope and Grew Happiness." The story's opening paragraph is as follows:
"For a human character to reveal truly exceptional qualities, one must have the good fortune to be able to observe its performance over many years. If this performance is devoid of all egoism, if its guiding motive is unparalleled generosity, if it is absolutely certain that there is no thought of recompense and that, in addition, it has left its visible mark upon the earth, then there can be no mistake."
The Man Who Planted Trees has left a "visible mark upon the earth" having been translated into several languages. In the "Afterword" of the Chelsea Green Publishing Company's edition, Norma L. Goodrich wrote that Giono donated his story. According to Goodrich, "Giono believed he left his mark on earth when he wrote Elzeard Bouffier's story because he gave it away for the good of others, heedless of payment: `It was one of my stories of which I am the proudest. It does not bring me in one single penny and that is why it has accomplished what it was written for.'"
This special edition is very informative. Not only does it contain Giono's inspirational story, which is complemented beautifully by Michael McCurdy's wood engraving illustrations and Goodrich's informative "Afterword" about Giono, but it also contains considerable information about how wood and paper can be conserved in the section "The WoodWise Consumer." Goodrich writes about Giono's effort to have people respect trees.
"Giono later wrote an American admirer of the tale that his purpose in creating Bouffier `was to make people love the tree, or more precisely, to make them love planting trees.' Within a few years the story of Elzeard Bouffier swept around the world and was translated into at least a dozen languages. It has long since inspired reforestation efforts, worldwide."
The Man Who Planted Trees is not only a wonderful story, it will inspire you and your children to care for the natural world.
-Reviewed by N. Glenn Perrett
31 people found this helpful
Top international reviews
Byletts
5.0 out of 5 stars Add to the climate change conversationReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 12, 2019
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I was so happy to discover this "by chance" on Amazon's website and bought it to encourage a group in a pretty hopeless situation. It would also be useful to encourage people to do something about climate change. The problem is so overwhelming that we need to see how each individual doing something can bring about significant change. It is a short book, easy and interesting to read, so can be absorbed in a matter of hours. Recommend it for busy lives.
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C MILLS
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful rebirthReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 26, 2017
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I first read this book in the 1950s. It gave me faith in the purpose of human nature and astonishment that one man could be so purposeful in his solitude, and often pondered on it. I was delighted to hear it reviewed on BBCs ' a good read' and amused and intrigued by the readers' musings. It has been a 2nd delightful reading and recommend it to all. I've frequently wondered why governments haven't considered building out into the deserts of Africa and elsewhere to try to regenerate the waste areas. Maybe it could reduce global warming. I believe in Elziard Goubi.
4 people found this helpful
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David Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars UpliftingReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2016
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This is a very short book AND it is available free on the internet, please note. That said, the book itself can be finished in about an hour and is motivting, uplifting etc. Drawings are included...they're 'OK'.
So, is this worth buying?
Well it is certainly worth reading and if you follow what the (fictitious) main character does then your whole life can change...after a few years
2 people found this helpful
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Mrs. Pamela A. Barlow
5.0 out of 5 stars ReplacementReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 16, 2019
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I loved this book from the first moment I picked it up, it is such a simple heartwarming story and remarkably in tune with our attitudes to the world today. I lost my original copy and this copy is immaculate and arrived promptly. I still love it.
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Em
5.0 out of 5 stars Changing the world one day at a timeReviewed in the United Kingdom on July 19, 2017
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One of the loveliest books I have read. It was given to me several years ago by a dear friend. I have since given it to so many people who are dear to me
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