The Social Life of Teak

- A fascinating, original and beautiful book examining the many aspects of teak, using oral histories to examine the history of one of the world’s most valuable commodities, prized for its durability and beauty over millennia

- All new photographs by renowned photographer Tim Webster

In this illustrated anthology of oral histories, people connected personally or professionally to teak speak of survival, change and learning, creativity and destruction, growth and demise. Woven together these experiences bring to light the way teak has been sought, crafted, cultivated, traded and valued over time.

With photographs throughout by renowned photographer Tim Webster. InThe Social Life of Teak, the authors also use oral histories to examine the history of one of the world’s most valuable commodities, prized for its durability and beauty over millennia, Virginia’s insightful texts are accompanied by Tim’s unique photographic vision.

New Zealander Virginia Henderson has been based in Southeast Asia since 1990 and is an oral historian with a doctorate in heritage management. Tim Webster is a documentary photographer specializing in theater, dance and architectural heritage photography.