Reviews

If you like your science to have a bit of whimsy attached to it, then this is a book for you. Wohlleben does an interesting thing here, in that he goes for a less data-driven narrative because simply, we don't actually know the answers for much of what he's discussing. He's simply proposing an idea about how we should view trees that is radically different than the way we do now. What makes this book five stars for me isn't it's prose. On it's surface, the writing is childish and anthropomorphizes trees that normally I would find annoying. It's almost entirely anecdotal stories to back up theories. Not exactly scientific, nor organized. BUT, what it did was give me a new lens in which to view one of the most incredible organisms on the planet. Trees do amazing things and we don't quite know how. The author convinced me that they are more than sources of lumber and houses, and there are mysteries to unlock if we only would approach trees on their own terms. Which I find fascinating.

I would ABSOLUTELY read this to kids or have outdoors oriented kids read it.

danang's review against another edition

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informative slow-paced

1.0

cocolynn's review against another edition

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hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.75

citizenkahn's review against another edition

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hopeful informative inspiring mysterious medium-paced

5.0

joymargot's review against another edition

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4.0

The writing style put me in mind of a very excitable tour guide. It’s a little repetitive and lacks structure, but I found Wohlleben’s enthusiasm and anthropomorphism endearing.

It’s a good entry-point to nature books and trees, but perhaps wouldn’t satisfy a more knowledgeable reader.

BRB, I must be surrounded by trees as a matter of urgency 🌲🌳

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