Primary Wood Processing : Principles and Practice

John C. F. Walker

ISBN 10: 9048171202 / ISBN 13: 9789048171200

Published by Springer, Springer, 2010

About this Item

Druck auf Anfrage Neuware - Printed after ordering - Samuel Johnson (of Boswell fame) said about writing, 'whatever is written without effort is in general read without pleasure' and 'the unexamined word is not worth reading.' However, even the most thoughtfully written text is unlikely to be described as a good read. This book is not an exhaustive review. Rather it is an uneven selection of examples whose interplay across disciplines hopefully illuminates what drives the practice of forest production, wood processing and consumer preferences. The choice of material is arbitrary reflecting personal biases. It is a summary of material presented to students at the NZ School of Forestry at the University of Canterbury. This book takes liberties with other peoples' ideas, weaving them into fresh themes that are at best a work in progress. The philosopher Francis Bacon argued that 'science is a debate in progress not a body of knowledge' and also 'truth emerges more readily from error than confusion'. We have taken the position that it is preferable to venture a reasoned opinion and be proved wrong than to waffle; so don't swallow every sentence - 'doubt everything'. The reader's task is to unravel the conceits of generalizing and the risks of particularizing.

Seller Inventory # 9789048171200

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Primary Wood Processing : Principles and Practice
• Publisher: Springer, Springer
• Publication Date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9048171202
• ISBN 13: 9789048171200
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 240W x 160H x 33D millimeters 240 millimeters width by 160 millimeters height by 33 millimeters depth
• Weight: 957 grams

About this title

Synopsis

This thoroughly revised book is primarily a general text covering the whole sweep of the forest industries. The over-riding emphasis is on a clear, simple interpretation of the underlying science, demonstrating how such principles apply to processing operations. The book has no competitors with regard to its philosophical approach to the subject, and it is the only book covering the subject in a way comprehensible for the generalist.

The book considers the broad question "what is wood?" by looking at the biology, chemistry and physics of wood. Wood quality is examined, and explanations are offered on how and why wood quality varies and the implications for processing. Finally, various "industrial processes" are reviewed and interpreted. All chapters are written by specialists who incorporate their own local perspectives, while retaining an international flavor. This 2nd edition is a total revision. A few chapters remain relatively unchanged, but many have been totally rewritten.

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