MN author Spike Carlsen

His book is called "A Splintered History of Wood: Belt Sander Races, Blind Woodworkers and Baseball Bats". He features all kinds of wood in there, including the Kauri wood. Here's a picture of the world's largest slab of wood.

Spike is speaking at the GR Area Library for the Men's Reading Group on Wednesday June 23 - he'll also talk on Thursday June 24th at 7pm. Both events are free and open to the public.