The Golden Spruce
A True Story of Myth, Madness and Greed
By John Vaillant | Publisher: Knopf Canada
About the book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S LITERARY AWARD FOR NON-FICTION • WINNER OF THE WRITERS’ TRUST NON-FICTION PRIZE
“Absolutely spellbinding.” —The New York Times
The environmental true-crime story of a glorious natural wonder, the man who destroyed it, and the fascinating, troubling context in which this act took place.
FEATURING A NEW AFTERWORD BY THE AUTHOR
On a winter night in 1997, a British Columbia timber scout named Grant Hadwin committed an act of shocking violence in the mythic Queen Charlotte Islands. His victim was legendary: a unique 300-year-old Sitka spruce tree, fifty metres tall and covered with luminous golden needles. In a bizarre environmental protest, Hadwin attacked the tree with a chainsaw. Two days later, it fell, horrifying an entire community. Not only was the golden spruce a scientific marvel and a tourist attraction, it was sacred to the Haida people and beloved by local loggers. Shortly after confessing to the crime, Hadwin disappeared under suspicious circumstances and is missing to this day. As John Vaillant deftly braids together the strands of this thrilling mystery, he brings to life the ancient beauty of the coastal wilderness, the historical collision of Europeans and the Haida, and the harrowing world of logging—the most dangerous land-based job in North America.
Editions of The Golden Spruce
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780676976458
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780676976465
- EBook
- ISBN 9780307371324
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9781039000483
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9781039000490
Read an Excerpt
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S LITERARY AWARD FOR NON-FICTION • WINNER OF THE WRITERS’ TRUST NON-FICTION PRIZE
“Absolutely spellbinding.” —The New York Times
The environmental true-crime story of a glorious natural wonder, the man who destroyed it, and the fascinating, troubling context in which this act took place.
FEATURING A NEW AFTERWORD BY THE AUTHOR
On a winter night in 1997, a British Columbia timber scout named Grant Hadwin committed an act of shocking violence in the mythic Queen Charlotte Islands. His victim was legendary: a unique 300-year-old Sitka spruce tree, fifty metres tall and covered with luminous golden needles. In a bizarre environmental protest, Hadwin attacked the tree with a chainsaw. Two days later, it fell, horrifying an entire community. Not only was the golden spruce a scientific marvel and a tourist attraction, it was sacred to the Haida people and beloved by local loggers. Shortly after confessing to the crime, Hadwin disappeared under suspicious circumstances and is missing to this day. As John Vaillant deftly braids together the strands of this thrilling mystery, he brings to life the ancient beauty of the coastal wilderness, the historical collision of Europeans and the Haida, and the harrowing world of logging—the most dangerous land-based job in North America.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Golden Spruce about?
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S LITERARY AWARD FOR NON-FICTION • WINNER OF THE WRITERS’ TRUST NON-FICTION PRIZE
“Absolutely spellbinding.” —The New York Times
The environmental true-crime story of a glorious natural wonder, the man who destroyed it, and the fascinating, troubling context in which this act took place.
FEATURING A NEW AFTERWORD BY THE AUTHOR
On a winter night in 1997, a British Columbia timber scout named Grant Hadwin committed an act of shocking violence in the mythic Queen Charlotte Islands. His victim was legendary: a unique 300-year-old Sitka spruce tree, fifty metres tall and covered with luminous golden needles. In a bizarre environmental protest, Hadwin attacked the tree with a chainsaw. Two days later, it fell, horrifying an entire community. Not only was the golden spruce a scientific marvel and a tourist attraction, it was sacred to the Haida people and beloved by local loggers. Shortly after confessing to the crime, Hadwin disappeared under suspicious circumstances and is missing to this day. As John Vaillant deftly braids together the strands of this thrilling mystery, he brings to life the ancient beauty of the coastal wilderness, the historical collision of Europeans and the Haida, and the harrowing world of logging—the most dangerous land-based job in North America.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Golden Spruce?
Mathematics and Science > Biology, life sciences > Life sciences: general issues > Ecological science, the Biosphere
Where can I read a sample of The Golden Spruce?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780676976458
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Golden Spruce?
John Vaillant
Who is the Publisher of the book The Golden Spruce?
Knopf Canada
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Golden Spruce is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780676976458) and paperback(ISBN 9780676976465) and ebook(ISBN 9780307371324) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781039000483) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9781039000490)
Where can I buy The Golden Spruce online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Golden Spruce from below
Where can I buy The Golden Spruce?