Oak, the Frame of Civilization - a book review

Oak, the Frame of Civilization, by William Bryant Logan is one of those books that is hard to categorize. Part history, part anthropology, part documentary/coffee table book. Logan uses the fact that oak is one of the oldest known species of tree and the fact that it has adapted to so many different climates and growing conditions to write about such diverse topics as Native American acorn-eating cultures, the importance of colliers (charcoal makers) and coopers (barrel makers) to civilization well into the 20th century, the War of 1812, and growth patterns of different types of oak. There is a little bit for everyone in this book - sort of like an encyclopedia but much more interesting.