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The Heartbeat of Trees: Embracing Our Ancient Bond with Forests and Nature by Peter Wohlleben
marshmellonie's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
5.0
shadysands's review
2.5
There was some interesting facts, but found myself zoning out a lot listening to the audiobook and personally just found it a little dull overall. Have felt more engaged with other nature books.
Also, recommendation for walks in the forest at night is unrealistic in the current climate, with the only danger considered is nature. I think as a male writer he has a responsibility of considering what his recommendations look like in the current climate, for the safety of his female audience.
Also, recommendation for walks in the forest at night is unrealistic in the current climate, with the only danger considered is nature. I think as a male writer he has a responsibility of considering what his recommendations look like in the current climate, for the safety of his female audience.
unladylike's review
2.0
2.5 stars
I wasn't super impressed with the other book I listened to by Peter Wohlleben compared to great, contemporary, popular ecology literature (so many adjectives!) such as [b:The Treeline: The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth|56268809|The Treeline The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth|Ben Rawlence|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1636982385l/56268809._SY75_.jpg|86107450], [b:A Most Remarkable Creature: The Hidden Life and Epic Journey of the World’s Smartest Birds of Prey|54390345|A Most Remarkable Creature The Hidden Life and Epic Journey of the World’s Smartest Birds of Prey|Jonathan Meiburg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1596429654l/54390345._SX50_.jpg|84875367], or classics such as Rachel Carson's [b:The Sea Around Us|274217|The Sea Around Us|Rachel Carson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1173326242l/274217._SY75_.jpg|2423508] or Aldo Leopold's [b:A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There|210404|A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There|Aldo Leopold|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1283195046l/210404._SY75_.jpg|321811]. This one was much more scattered and tainted by the ego that has blossomed in a forest-loving man who constantly reminds us that he's written a bestselling book and is in high demand worldwide.
Here are some of my take-aways, in no particular order (just like the chapters of this book! HA!):
A University of Chicago study of 30,000 residents of Toronto proved that the presence of a tree in front of a home increases well-being. “10 more trees in a residential neighborhood improved the health of the residents as much as an increase of $10,000 a year.” The presence of trees also has shown in multiple studies to increase lifespan by at least 1.5 years. … Now, a possible counter-argument: he’s making a causality fallacy. The researchers observed lifespans and health corresponding to the presence of trees, but isn’t the presence of great trees an indicator of wealthier socio-economic classes in cities, and thus better access to medical care and leisure time?
This book is all over the place.
The level of Eurocentrism Peter exhibits throughout his books is astounding. He acts like he’s a key voice to the world but he’s pretty much just describing Germany most of the time. When he goes to Canada as a guest of a small First Nations band, his description of their need for him, their thanks, and his reflective attitude afterward is peak White Savior Complex.
Peter’s opinion is that city folk are more in touch with nature than foresters, since the vast majority of foresters follow commercial-industrial trends for planting and cutting choices.
Apparently ozone is more dangerous to rural areas than urban, because it drifts and negatively affects living beings (at least people) rather than binding to other ozone being created by exhaust.
Apparently smoke from burning wood is FAR worse for the environment than coal, propane, etc. He loves a good wood-burning stove, but says most people are doing it all wrong by starting fires from the bottom up rather than the top down. He doesn't explain this further, but instead proceeds to name places in the world where there are restrictions against wood-burning fireplaces. Oh-kay.
He advises that we find ways to use less wood. It’s not “carbon neutral” as the industry argues.
I wasn't super impressed with the other book I listened to by Peter Wohlleben compared to great, contemporary, popular ecology literature (so many adjectives!) such as [b:The Treeline: The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth|56268809|The Treeline The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth|Ben Rawlence|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1636982385l/56268809._SY75_.jpg|86107450], [b:A Most Remarkable Creature: The Hidden Life and Epic Journey of the World’s Smartest Birds of Prey|54390345|A Most Remarkable Creature The Hidden Life and Epic Journey of the World’s Smartest Birds of Prey|Jonathan Meiburg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1596429654l/54390345._SX50_.jpg|84875367], or classics such as Rachel Carson's [b:The Sea Around Us|274217|The Sea Around Us|Rachel Carson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1173326242l/274217._SY75_.jpg|2423508] or Aldo Leopold's [b:A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There|210404|A Sand County Almanac and Sketches Here and There|Aldo Leopold|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1283195046l/210404._SY75_.jpg|321811]. This one was much more scattered and tainted by the ego that has blossomed in a forest-loving man who constantly reminds us that he's written a bestselling book and is in high demand worldwide.
Here are some of my take-aways, in no particular order (just like the chapters of this book! HA!):
A University of Chicago study of 30,000 residents of Toronto proved that the presence of a tree in front of a home increases well-being. “10 more trees in a residential neighborhood improved the health of the residents as much as an increase of $10,000 a year.” The presence of trees also has shown in multiple studies to increase lifespan by at least 1.5 years. … Now, a possible counter-argument: he’s making a causality fallacy. The researchers observed lifespans and health corresponding to the presence of trees, but isn’t the presence of great trees an indicator of wealthier socio-economic classes in cities, and thus better access to medical care and leisure time?
This book is all over the place.
The level of Eurocentrism Peter exhibits throughout his books is astounding. He acts like he’s a key voice to the world but he’s pretty much just describing Germany most of the time. When he goes to Canada as a guest of a small First Nations band, his description of their need for him, their thanks, and his reflective attitude afterward is peak White Savior Complex.
Peter’s opinion is that city folk are more in touch with nature than foresters, since the vast majority of foresters follow commercial-industrial trends for planting and cutting choices.
Apparently ozone is more dangerous to rural areas than urban, because it drifts and negatively affects living beings (at least people) rather than binding to other ozone being created by exhaust.
Apparently smoke from burning wood is FAR worse for the environment than coal, propane, etc. He loves a good wood-burning stove, but says most people are doing it all wrong by starting fires from the bottom up rather than the top down. He doesn't explain this further, but instead proceeds to name places in the world where there are restrictions against wood-burning fireplaces. Oh-kay.
He advises that we find ways to use less wood. It’s not “carbon neutral” as the industry argues.
the_neon_poodle's review
2.0
Most writers only have a few good books to write. Peter Wohlleben is no exception. It's not a bad book, but I think every new book is a bit less than the previous.
simone_k's review
3.0
The Heartbeat of Trees by Peter Wohlleben was mostly a good read.
It was quite dry, so I wasn't that engaged and got through the book slowly. It was also quite clear the book was written by a man, with Wohlleben recommending on several occasions to go for a walk in the forest at night. No thanks, I'd like to stay alive. Similarly, The Heartbeat of Trees was quite Eurocentric, which although I don't like, is understandable considering the author is German. As an Australian, I didn't really know many of the trees he was talking about, and I would have loved to learn more about trees in the Southern Hemisphere.
Yet despite all of this, I am glad I read this book. I (obviously) learnt a lot about trees as well as forests, other plants, animals, and the politics surrounding the environment. Indeed, it was a very comprehensive book, as well as very well-researched and compelling.
I would recommend this book if you like trees or care about the environment. It's very thought-provoking.
It was quite dry, so I wasn't that engaged and got through the book slowly. It was also quite clear the book was written by a man, with Wohlleben recommending on several occasions to go for a walk in the forest at night. No thanks, I'd like to stay alive. Similarly, The Heartbeat of Trees was quite Eurocentric, which although I don't like, is understandable considering the author is German. As an Australian, I didn't really know many of the trees he was talking about, and I would have loved to learn more about trees in the Southern Hemisphere.
Yet despite all of this, I am glad I read this book. I (obviously) learnt a lot about trees as well as forests, other plants, animals, and the politics surrounding the environment. Indeed, it was a very comprehensive book, as well as very well-researched and compelling.
I would recommend this book if you like trees or care about the environment. It's very thought-provoking.
rebcamuse's review against another edition
4.0
I don't typically like the word "accessible" (at least in this context) because I think it comes loaded with bias and subtexts that don't really serve anyone, but this book does a remarkable job of blending solid research (yay! there are endnotes!), personal anecdotes, and let's say inspirational sensibility, if such a thing exists. Particularly wonderful is the way that Wohlleben tests his own cynic at times. I was prepared for a diatribe against some of the more touchy-feely assertions made by the tree-loving community, but Wohlleben's success lies in his willingness to explore all facets of an issue. He patiently explains how voltage works when it comes to touching trees, but also how our touch can impact plants through thigmomorphogenesis. Somehow the author manages to introduce a term like thigmomorphogenesis without losing his inviting tone. Part of this is because it is a story of Wholleben's learning instead of a simple narrative of what he has learned. There are a few awkward bits of English translation, particularly for English speakers in the US, but they shouldn't disrupt one's ability to appreciate this book.
Most valuable is how Wohlleben disrupts conventional/popular notions: e.g. using wood is NOT carbon-neutral. He seems to believe we all have a part to play -- forest-bathers, foresters, lumber companies alike-- and he often offers an idea of a solution (though we lack the blueprint for said solutions). A good read, and perhaps mildly frustrating as there were many times I wanted to put it down to go walk in the forest. :-)
Most valuable is how Wohlleben disrupts conventional/popular notions: e.g. using wood is NOT carbon-neutral. He seems to believe we all have a part to play -- forest-bathers, foresters, lumber companies alike-- and he often offers an idea of a solution (though we lack the blueprint for said solutions). A good read, and perhaps mildly frustrating as there were many times I wanted to put it down to go walk in the forest. :-)