Redwood: The Story Behind the Scenery

by Richard A. Rasp

Stand quietly in the ancient forest. Massive gray columns reach through the silent, silvery mist, encouraging the eye skyward into a deep emerald ceiling. Here, one comes to know the wonder of time everlasting. Redwood National and State Parks, located in northern California, were established throughout the 20th century to preserve the coastal redwood forests, including some of the world's tallest trees.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

54 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1989

Reviews

[Juliet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted a brief, layperson's guide to redwood trees. How fast do they grow, how much water do they drink in a day, where do they grow, what kinds of animals or birds live in them, etc. Surprisingly, this is a tall order, har har. This book answered some of my questions but not all (maybe how much water do they drink is unanswerable), and it's written with more of a tourist-y style than a descriptive style. But that also means that there are lots of big, full-color photos, there are a few pages about the history of logging and conservation, and there is information and a couple maps some of the parks that have been established to protect them. So that made it handy in ways I had not anticipated.

[Barbara Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The history and ecology in this slim book are just enough to ground my soul-strengthening experience with interesting and useful facts. It's impossible to describe the impact the redwoods had on me, but the photos come close.

[Jim Blessing · Rating 2 out of 5]

My wife and I recently returned from a trip where we visited this area. I greatly enjoyed my hikes through these big trees. Obviously due to their size, I have found that they're difficult to take photographs of.