TREE THIEVES Crime and Survival in North America's Woods

Hayden Bishop's down-to-earth, slightly edgy voice maintains a tone of authenticity that is in tune with this nuanced investigation of the poaching of old-growth trees for timber. Bourgon stresses the fundamental importance of healthy ancient trees to the sustainability of both forests and the planet while also recognizing the complexity of what the loss of jobs, and corresponding marginalization, has meant for generations of foresters. Bishop captures the frustration and occasional fear of law enforcement who pursue the poachers, the sense of hopelessness of unemployed loggers, and the hypocrisy of consumers who purchase products made with illegally cut wood while turning a blind eye to the source. Bishop's energy and empathy effectively communicate Bourgon's important environmental and human message. A.B. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2022]