Ancient Forests by Frank J. Daniels, Richard D. Dayvault (2006, Hardcover)

I am truly honored to be the first to review Frank and Richards new book! Having weened myself with Hanksville Utah wood, Arizona wood, and living near Farson, and Eden Wyoming, I have found this book to be the BEST PETRIFIED WOOD BOOK in the world of petrified woods! Franks first book, Petrified Wood is excellent especially with the color photography of rare cycads and ferns but the latest book, "Ancient Forests" is really the real masterpiece! 456 pages and 1600 photographs! The microscope photography of cellular structure is utterly amazing. The story of how opalization and permineralization takes place is rich and comprehendable by the amature and scientist alike. This book is an eye opener to to the paleobotanist and amature wood collector and you can use it to trace the history of your specimens. The acknowledgements page is a "who's who" of the petrified wood world, the whole world! I am fortunate to have met or know well a dozen of the supreme wood collectors that have lent specimens for Frank and Richard's use in this wonderfully rich book. $95 and Western Colorado Publishing Company has really outdone themselves! My bath scale rates it at a whopping 7 pounds. Would be a welcome addition to your university library, community library as an endowment gift, or for your personal wood library. If you get one new book this year, make it "Ancient Forests"! No, I do not own stock or get any kick back for this guide, I just love wood and this excellent book about wood. mjwy