The Man Who Planted Trees

The narrator, journeying by foot across the barren plains of the lower Alps, has his thirst assuaged by the well water drawn by the shepherd Elzeaerd Bouffier. Here begins the subtle parable which Giono weaves of the life-giving shepherd who chooses to live alone and carry out the work of God. Over forty years the desolate hills and lifeless villages which so oppressed the traveler are transformed by the dedication of one man. All with the help of a few acorns.

Giono's hope was to set in motion a worldwide reforestation program that would rejuvenate the earth. The Man Who Planted Trees is a hymn to creation and a purveyor of confidence in man's ability to change his—indeed the world's—lot.

Shepherd Elzard Bouffier lives alone with his sheep not far from a drought-stricken and windswept hamlet. After the death of his wife and child, he chooses to devote the rest of his life to a patient and anonymous endeavor, which ultimately adds beauty and sustenance to the human and animal communities in the mountains where he lives.

This is the twentieth anniversary edition of French writer/pacifist Giono's (1895-1970) classic tale of a shepherd who planted acorns daily for 30 years. It includes the original wood engravings by Michael McCurdy, a new foreword by Wangari Maathai, 2004 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and a new afterword by the founder of TreePeople. Originally published in 1954 in Vogue as "The Man Who Planted Trees and Grew Happiness." Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Jean Giono is one of the most renowned authors in French twentieth-century literature. He wrote over thirty novels, numerous essays and stories, plays, and film scripts. In 1953 he was awarded the Prix Monégasque for his collective work. He died in 1970.