The Golden Spruce

A True Story of Myth, Madness, and Greed

By: John Vaillant

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

A tale of obsession so fierce that a man kills the thing he loves most: The only giant golden spruce on earth.

As vividly as Jon Krakauer put readers on Everest, John Vaillant takes us into the heart of North America's last great forest, where trees grow to eighteen feet in diameter, sunlight never touches the ground, and the chainsaws are always at work.

When a shattered kayak and camping gear are found on an uninhabited island, they reignite a mystery surrounding a shocking act of protest. Five months earlier, logger-turned-activist Grant Hadwin had plunged naked into a river in British Columbia's Queen Charlotte Islands, towing a chainsaw. When his night's work was done, a unique Sitka spruce, 165 feet tall and covered with luminous golden needles, teetered on its stump. Two days later it fell.

The tree, a fascinating puzzle to scientists, was sacred to the Haida, a fierce seafaring tribe based in the Queen Charlottes. Vaillant recounts the bloody history of the Haida and the early fur trade, and provides harrowing details of the logging industry, whose omnivorous violence would claim both Hadwin and the golden spruce.

©2005 John Vaillant (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Instant favorite

So good I will listen again soon. was excited for my commute for a week just to continue the book. Amazed that this was the author's first book. Flows very well and keeps you engaged. Definitely a book that changes you in positive ways. LISTEN!!

Lyrical and Powerful

This was an amazing story told by a master. It is also a difficult, heart-rending tale on so many levels. it was one of those books that causes a lot of internal shifting, since the truths, both on a personal and planetary level, are so consumately and deeply tragic. All this while bathing in language so lyrical that it creates its own teleportation. The perfect narrator. Don't miss it. Be prepared to weep.

Fascinating history

This book stretches out a what seems like a simple story of environmental terrorism by giving a ton of background. Going back not just centuries, but providing events in the context of millennia - weaving the disparate facts, opinions, and myths into one fascinating book. While at times the historical diversions seemed a little long winded, especially in the middle of the climactic act, it didn't annoy me & somehow worked. I really enjoyed the thorough exploration and deep history of the story presented in this book. My one complaint about the audio book performance is the mispronunciation of "Weyerhaeuser" - this was grating, plus there's no excuse because they have commercials on the internet where this can be checked.

excellent story, narrated beautifully

This is an amazing historical piece of work. If you love the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest this is a must-read.

Captivating, breathtaking and spiritually shaking

This is the first time I’ve listened to this book and the second time I’ve “read” it. Mr. Vaillant is the reincarnation of F Scott Fitzgerald if Fitzgerald was in our time. The story keeps you “turning the page” and procrastinating with your life - in a good way. I highly recommend. The reader gets off to a rocky start but I learned to like his voice.

An amazingly well-told piece of natural history

John Valliant’s extraordinary storytelling talents are in full display in this book on one of the strangest corners of the Earth I have ever come across. A masterful blend of reportage with natural, economic and social history.

My Fav

in my preference for non-fiction, this story is supported with a copious quantity of qualifiable research. Additionally, the subject matter supported stories from both my father and my husband's father's early years as loggers. The gentlemanly manner that this author addresses the hard-core individual of a logger compliments the humanly kind characters of the men who, like our fathers, scratched together a meager subsistance to sustain their families is commendable.

interesting read

I learned things about trees I never knew and I thought I knew quite a bit already.

Must read book

One of my favorite pieces of work. If you like history, human stories, and perspective regarding the Earth’s fragility and resilience…pick this book up. You won’t be disappointed.

Vaillant is a master!

Vaillant is one of the greatest writers of his generation! His writing style and rhythm makes is stories an unforgettable experience! I first fell in love with "The Tiger," which is one of my favorite books of all time! I then backed up to his earlier work, "The Golden Spruce" and was able to appreciate his work all over again! Thanks!