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. In The 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. AUTHORS: Tim Webster is a documentary photographer and writer, who focuses on culture, environment and heritage issues. Previous publications include Melbourne's Queen Victoria Market Book (Thames & Hudson, 2017) and Yangon Echoes: Inside Heritage Homes with co-author Virginia Henderson (River Books, 2015). Virginia Henderson is an independent scholar, facilitator and producer. She has a doctorate in heritage management and an MA in Thai Studies and is a trained oral historian. Her research interests include cultural expression, the power of storytelling, and the production of art and social space. SELLING POINTS: . 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 200 colour illustrations