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Give me more women in this world like Diana Beresford-Kroeger.
Her life is fascinating. Her work is fascinating. With the same gentle roar of [a:Jane Goodall|18163|Jane Goodall|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1616526407p2/18163.jpg], she is the epitome of power and grace.
How can we think that there isn't value—immense value—in every plant on this planet? God help us come to our senses, unwrap ourselves from consumerism and greed and start preserving what we've be given. But, if nothing else, we can follow Beresford-Kroeger's hopeful advice and start planting more trees.
I am obsessed with what I have learned about the Ogham/Celtic Tree Alphabet, enough so that for about two hours I have contemplated dropping my current job and applying for study in Ireland to immerse myself in the language and surround myself with trees. Or maybe just plant every tree she references in a secured, old estate where I can harness the goodness of each of these plants and become a sage in my own right. (I only finished the book two hours ago, so give me another hour to recognize my limitations. But still...)
Her life is fascinating. Her work is fascinating. With the same gentle roar of [a:Jane Goodall|18163|Jane Goodall|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1616526407p2/18163.jpg], she is the epitome of power and grace.
How can we think that there isn't value—immense value—in every plant on this planet? God help us come to our senses, unwrap ourselves from consumerism and greed and start preserving what we've be given. But, if nothing else, we can follow Beresford-Kroeger's hopeful advice and start planting more trees.
I am obsessed with what I have learned about the Ogham/Celtic Tree Alphabet, enough so that for about two hours I have contemplated dropping my current job and applying for study in Ireland to immerse myself in the language and surround myself with trees. Or maybe just plant every tree she references in a secured, old estate where I can harness the goodness of each of these plants and become a sage in my own right. (I only finished the book two hours ago, so give me another hour to recognize my limitations. But still...)
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
I loved the autobiographical first half. The lyrical sensory memories of childhood places in Ireland were transporting. In the latter half, the scientific applications and and cultural context of all the Irish trees was fascinating, especially knowing her deep personal connection to the land and plants. It was an unusual combination of personal narrative and encyclopedic reference that seems to work because of her admirable crusade and heartfelt devotion down to miraculous minutiae natural world. I probably wouldn’t have chosen this book for myself but am glad my sister gave it to me.
“Never waste a minute. The most precious thing you have is your time. Our lives are narrowed by birth and death and in-between lies everything you set yourself to achieve.”
TO SPEAK FOR THE TREES
Thank you, NetGalley, Diana Beresford-Kroeger, and Timber Press for the opportunity to read this book! It was released on October 5th, 2021.
To Speak For The Trees by Diana Beresford-Kroeger is such a unique book. It is part-memoir, part-environmental nonfiction, part-spiritual nonfiction. The author takes us through her life and the trauma that led to her love of trees, the study of Celtic Wisdom, and a mission to save the Earth. Diana Beresford-Kroeger is a botanist and biochemist. She was orphaned at a young age but not before her mother convinced Diana of her insignificance. It would take the love and encouragement of the O’Donoghue family to help her realize her worth and intelligence. She will be taught in the Celtic ways in Brehon Law. She will learn the importance of healing, the law of trees, and the Ogham alphabet.
“The truth was right there, so simple a child could grasp it. Trees were responsible for the most basic necessity of life, the air we breathe. Forests were being cut down across the globe at breathtaking rates-quite literally breathtaking. In destroying them we were destroying our own life-support system. Cutting down the trees was a suicidal act.”
TO SPEAK FOR THE TREES
This book is inspirational but also heartbreaking. During the English occupation, The English destroyed all the Irish forests for the naval ships. A devastating blow that still is affecting Ireland to this day. Readers will feel the author’s heartbreak. She provides statistics about the global deforestation rates and how that is impacting Climate Change. But she also provides hope. If everyone planted a single tree it could have positive effects on Climate Change.
But my absolute favorite part is her praise for the Indigenous Cultures around the world, particularly in North America. The Celtic peoples and Indigenous peoples shared many philosophies regarding nature and protecting it.
“The Indigenous peoples of North America are owed a huge debt. Theirs is a magical continent, an talamh an oige-the land of youth.”
TO SPEAK FOR THE TREES
Overall, a beautiful book and I can’t wait to watch this author’s documentaries! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
TO SPEAK FOR THE TREES
Thank you, NetGalley, Diana Beresford-Kroeger, and Timber Press for the opportunity to read this book! It was released on October 5th, 2021.
To Speak For The Trees by Diana Beresford-Kroeger is such a unique book. It is part-memoir, part-environmental nonfiction, part-spiritual nonfiction. The author takes us through her life and the trauma that led to her love of trees, the study of Celtic Wisdom, and a mission to save the Earth. Diana Beresford-Kroeger is a botanist and biochemist. She was orphaned at a young age but not before her mother convinced Diana of her insignificance. It would take the love and encouragement of the O’Donoghue family to help her realize her worth and intelligence. She will be taught in the Celtic ways in Brehon Law. She will learn the importance of healing, the law of trees, and the Ogham alphabet.
“The truth was right there, so simple a child could grasp it. Trees were responsible for the most basic necessity of life, the air we breathe. Forests were being cut down across the globe at breathtaking rates-quite literally breathtaking. In destroying them we were destroying our own life-support system. Cutting down the trees was a suicidal act.”
TO SPEAK FOR THE TREES
This book is inspirational but also heartbreaking. During the English occupation, The English destroyed all the Irish forests for the naval ships. A devastating blow that still is affecting Ireland to this day. Readers will feel the author’s heartbreak. She provides statistics about the global deforestation rates and how that is impacting Climate Change. But she also provides hope. If everyone planted a single tree it could have positive effects on Climate Change.
But my absolute favorite part is her praise for the Indigenous Cultures around the world, particularly in North America. The Celtic peoples and Indigenous peoples shared many philosophies regarding nature and protecting it.
“The Indigenous peoples of North America are owed a huge debt. Theirs is a magical continent, an talamh an oige-the land of youth.”
TO SPEAK FOR THE TREES
Overall, a beautiful book and I can’t wait to watch this author’s documentaries! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
~If everyone would plant one tree a year, for six years, we would stop climate change~
This book consists of two parts. The first is about the author’s life story and how she learned from the Celts about ways to use nature (especially trees) as medicine. And about how she combines this ancient knowledge with an education in science. She’s been through a lot with both of her parents dying at a young age and her whole story was beautifully written down.
The second part is about the Celtic alphabet and all the different trees the Celts used for different kind of medicine and rituals. I would have loved it even more if there would be photos or drawings of every tree included at each chapter, but other than that, it definitely was an interesting read.
This book consists of two parts. The first is about the author’s life story and how she learned from the Celts about ways to use nature (especially trees) as medicine. And about how she combines this ancient knowledge with an education in science. She’s been through a lot with both of her parents dying at a young age and her whole story was beautifully written down.
The second part is about the Celtic alphabet and all the different trees the Celts used for different kind of medicine and rituals. I would have loved it even more if there would be photos or drawings of every tree included at each chapter, but other than that, it definitely was an interesting read.
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Beautifully written and touching, a must read for any nature lover. I loved her memoir on her childhood in Ireland, the folklore and herbalism which led her to study biochemistry and how plants affect the body. The call for conservation and protection of nature as well was so empowering and truly made me appreciative of the nature surrounding me as well as to do more for it.