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emheld's review
4.0
Don't let the length of time it took me to read this scare you off; I took a relaxing course thru it, one chapter/month at a time.
His traditional historical diversions, as opposed to arboreal or natural history, can at times seem... superfluous. But in a charming way.
3.75/5
His traditional historical diversions, as opposed to arboreal or natural history, can at times seem... superfluous. But in a charming way.
3.75/5
nithuir's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of info about various species of trees, slugs, and fungus, and a few personal stories. Lovely.
shanaqui's review
informative
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
3.0
The Wood for the Trees is a ramble through the woods that Fortey owns and maintains (a small patch of woodland that once belonged to a large estate). With the curiosity of a lifetime's work in science, he examines every little bit of the wood in all seasons of the year, lifting up rocks, turning over fallen branches, and digging around in the history of the woods.
I got it because he made geology really interesting in another book I read, though I find this book didn't have quite the same touch -- perhaps because it's so wide-ranging, so unfocused. Instead of just looking at the geology or the biology, he digs into the archaeology as well, into literature and historical figures that touched upon the wood, into the way the wood used to be worked with.
His little cabinet of curiosity is interesting, and his enthusiasm for the wood admirable -- but unlike his other books, this didn't keep me picking the book up to pursue more of it.
I got it because he made geology really interesting in another book I read, though I find this book didn't have quite the same touch -- perhaps because it's so wide-ranging, so unfocused. Instead of just looking at the geology or the biology, he digs into the archaeology as well, into literature and historical figures that touched upon the wood, into the way the wood used to be worked with.
His little cabinet of curiosity is interesting, and his enthusiasm for the wood admirable -- but unlike his other books, this didn't keep me picking the book up to pursue more of it.
dancarey_404's review
4.0
This was a rambly (in a good way) natural history (and history history) of the author's patch of woods in the Chiltern hills of England. It cover lots of topics: trees, fungi, moths, mammals, mosses, people, and more.
[Audiobook note: As a bonus, it was read by one of my absolute favorite narrators, Michael Page. The content and his style are a perfect match.]
[Audiobook note: As a bonus, it was read by one of my absolute favorite narrators, Michael Page. The content and his style are a perfect match.]
juliejorja's review against another edition
3.0
A lovely read. A British gentleman, scientist, and writer walks us through his four acres of English forest following 12 months of a year. He explores his woods in classic detail, from fungal molecules to the trees' canopy, while romping through the history of nearby villages, human history and influence, geology, and literature, all laced with a sense of humor. Altogether it was a thoughtful, provoking, yet relaxing read. Very well-written and edited.
The first thing I did with this book was turn to the index in search of "mycelium" or "mycorrhizal," as they refer to a fairly new science of the forest that is my personal research topic this winter. I was disappointed not to find them in the index. However, I read the book and was very pleased to find good knowledge and many references to the mycorrhizal relationships between fungus, trees, and other species. Sweet!
The first thing I did with this book was turn to the index in search of "mycelium" or "mycorrhizal," as they refer to a fairly new science of the forest that is my personal research topic this winter. I was disappointed not to find them in the index. However, I read the book and was very pleased to find good knowledge and many references to the mycorrhizal relationships between fungus, trees, and other species. Sweet!
fishtopus's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting, but I wish he had spent less time describing who owned what manor house and had spent more time on the details of the woods themselves.