Books: How teak became Asia's blessing and curse

Sweeping history explores passions spawned by the tropical hardwood

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Zaw Min Naing and Zaw Zaw Aung fell a mature teak yielding four logs measuring 60 feet in total, in Gangaw, Myanmar. (Photo by Tim Webster)

RON EMMONS, Contributing writer

In their previous book, "Yangon Echoes: Inside Heritage Homes," photographer Tim Webster and oral historian Virginia Henderson adopted a simple but successful formula -- presenting personal tales connected with the city's heritage buildings, illustrated with beautifully composed, atmospheric images.

This formula has now been applied to a much broader topic, and the resulting, sumptuous tome, "The Social Life of Teak," casts a spotlight on the most highly prized tropical timber on our planet. Within its pages, storytellers share their experiences and insights into Tectona grandis (teak), while absorbing images draw the reader deep into its tales.

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