Republic of Shade: New England and the American Elm

by Thomas J. Campanella

The American elm, elegant and highly adaptable, was an essential feature of America’s cultural landscape for more than a century, forming great verdant parasols above—and giving its name to—streets all across the nation. The elm became a defining element in the spatial design of America’s villages, towns, and cities, first in New England, and—with the westward transit of Yankee culture—eventually throughout the United States. This fascinating and generously illustrated book traces the elm’s transformation from a fast-growing weed into a regional and national icon, and shows how Elm Street satisfied America’s quest for a pastoral urbanism imagined since the time of Jefferson.

Genres: Nature, History, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published April 10, 2003

Reviews

[Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Republic of Shade is a landscape/cultural history of elm trees in New England. This book describes how elms came to embody the region in the nineteenth century, represent domestication in the country and nature in town and city, and suffer demise from Dutch Elm Disease in the twentieth century. The photographs are definite strong point.

[BookSweetie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers curious about the American elm in the New England historical culture will be much more informed after reading this illustrated, Yale university press 2003 book.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A competently written, though not gripping, history of the role elms played in the development of America. I found it interesting that most towns until the 1800s were devoid of trees: citizens initially didn't want trees in their towns, having just wrested their space from the forest. It doesn't have the pull of a narrative to draw you into the world of elms, however, so it ends up being much more of an academic rambling than anything else. It also was not nearly as depressing as American Chestnut: it sounds like the elm has a future and can in fact still be seen in quite a few cities. It was mainly the victim of its own success and the resulting monoculture.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is very interesting, but the style leaves something to be desired. Elm trees are quite grand in real life and deserving of a book about their history. The facts and stories are interesting but the style is just--not quite there. I can't put my finger on it. It's a popular history, but not written in a readable, compelling way.

[Bynum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it straight through or pick up and start from anywhere. Lots of amusing/interesting historical anecdotes. Of special interest to Ents and other tree lovers.

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you really love elm trees you'll love this book. It's not a page turner in most cases, more like a textbook, but I definitely learned a lot in reading it.