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Reviews
Where the Wildflowers Grow: My Botanical Journey Through Britain and Ireland by Leif Bersweden
dberrdy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
cazxxx's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
seclement's review against another edition
5.0
We could all only wish to be loved as much as Leif loves plants.
Honestly, though, this is a lovely book written by a person who earnestly loves plants. In a country with so little nature left and so little endemic biodiversity, this is particularly endearing.
This book is interesting, informative, beautifully written and nostalgic for a time he was not really alive to ever see. I really loved it, and I have recommended it to many people, especially those who love the countryside but know little about its degradation, those who would love the countryside if they had a clearer picture of what they were looking at, or those who think everything is delightful in the countryside and have no idea just how much we have lost in the UK.
My two main grievances (if you can call them that) are: 1) that the book is far longer than it needed to be, and it got very repetitive. Especially when we are talking about a country with such low species richness and abundance; it felt excessive and he started to sound disingenuously enthusiastic when talking about so many similar plants and places; and 2) the cycling aspect was simply unnecessary and seemed like a gimmick.
Nonetheless, I certainly recommend this book and hope it makes more people connect with nature in the UK.
Honestly, though, this is a lovely book written by a person who earnestly loves plants. In a country with so little nature left and so little endemic biodiversity, this is particularly endearing.
This book is interesting, informative, beautifully written and nostalgic for a time he was not really alive to ever see. I really loved it, and I have recommended it to many people, especially those who love the countryside but know little about its degradation, those who would love the countryside if they had a clearer picture of what they were looking at, or those who think everything is delightful in the countryside and have no idea just how much we have lost in the UK.
My two main grievances (if you can call them that) are: 1) that the book is far longer than it needed to be, and it got very repetitive. Especially when we are talking about a country with such low species richness and abundance; it felt excessive and he started to sound disingenuously enthusiastic when talking about so many similar plants and places; and 2) the cycling aspect was simply unnecessary and seemed like a gimmick.
Nonetheless, I certainly recommend this book and hope it makes more people connect with nature in the UK.
circe_us's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
coffee_kindle's review against another edition
4.0
What a wonderful book, I got the audiobook version and have really enjoyed being taken on the most wonderful journey around Britain and Ireland through the lens of all the wildflowers found on that journey.
Leif's passion and excitement for wildflowers is so infectious and it has definitely helped my understanding of wildflowers, helping me to spot more and appreciate not only their beauty, but their tenacity too.
This is a good humoured book, with lots of knowledge and expertise, delivered in a very exciting and easy to access way.
Leif's passion and excitement for wildflowers is so infectious and it has definitely helped my understanding of wildflowers, helping me to spot more and appreciate not only their beauty, but their tenacity too.
This is a good humoured book, with lots of knowledge and expertise, delivered in a very exciting and easy to access way.
nerdynaturopath's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book! As a herbalist and forager it was so lovely to traverse lands I know and love from a botanists point of view. I learnt so much and am eager to add some more botanising to my day to day life!
terminalvelocityofbilbobaggins's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
velociraptorongallifrey's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
4.75
sweekune's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
5/5
Audiobook narrated by the author.
A charming, detailed and insightful adventure showing off the botanical delights of Britain and Ireland. The author spends a year cycling the land, getting to know the diverse range of plants and habitats these countries have to offer.
- The structure of the book as an ongoing journey was excellent. Each chapter focuses on a particular place and plant or habitat and it creates a good flow that keeps the reader interested but not overwhelmed.
- Conservation features heavily in this book. There was barely a chapter that went by without mention of degraded or disappearing habitats, climate change, shrinking populations and changes to biodiversity. And that is how it should be. Organisms do not exist in isolation and especially now humans need to act and realise how much harm we are doing to our planet. Everything deserves a chance and a place to exist, even if it doesn't benefit us as a species (though usually nature does).
- Bersweden's enthusiasm for wildflowers and botany is infectious and you can't help but get excited with him. As I listened to the audiobook, I had no picture references (though there are resources on the book's website) and despite having to try and visualise these plants entirely in my head, I loved hearing about these dinky little flowers or slimy seaweeds or bits of moss. I've also noticed that when I'm out and about, I'm more aware of the plant life around me and want to find out exactly what something is.
Perfect for nature lovers or those who enjoy nonfiction with a flow. Highly recommended.
Audiobook narrated by the author.
A charming, detailed and insightful adventure showing off the botanical delights of Britain and Ireland. The author spends a year cycling the land, getting to know the diverse range of plants and habitats these countries have to offer.
- The structure of the book as an ongoing journey was excellent. Each chapter focuses on a particular place and plant or habitat and it creates a good flow that keeps the reader interested but not overwhelmed.
- Conservation features heavily in this book. There was barely a chapter that went by without mention of degraded or disappearing habitats, climate change, shrinking populations and changes to biodiversity. And that is how it should be. Organisms do not exist in isolation and especially now humans need to act and realise how much harm we are doing to our planet. Everything deserves a chance and a place to exist, even if it doesn't benefit us as a species (though usually nature does).
- Bersweden's enthusiasm for wildflowers and botany is infectious and you can't help but get excited with him. As I listened to the audiobook, I had no picture references (though there are resources on the book's website) and despite having to try and visualise these plants entirely in my head, I loved hearing about these dinky little flowers or slimy seaweeds or bits of moss. I've also noticed that when I'm out and about, I'm more aware of the plant life around me and want to find out exactly what something is.
Perfect for nature lovers or those who enjoy nonfiction with a flow. Highly recommended.