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dilemmag's review against another edition
2.0
A lot of the time I found myself questioning why I was learning certain information. I found this book difficult to follow and boring through the first 150 pages. The last part was better, but I was just reading to finish the book, not because I was engaged. Some parts were interesting and I enjoyed the scientific information about the redwoods, but expected to learn more in general. The climbers seemed very self-righteous and elitist, wanting to prevent others from climbing trees through the methods that they learned to do it. I understand the desire to protect the redwoods, but the attitude portrayed was very gatekeepy.
vlreid's review against another edition
3.0
I was amazed at how much I learned about the California redwoods. A fascinating narrative non-fiction book.
jl27's review against another edition
3.0
There was a lot I liked about this book, and some things I didn’t. Criticisms first: the descriptions, even to someone like me who is interested in all things nature, botany, etc. got to be a bit tedious in many parts, and I ended up skimming to get to the actual narrative. Preston provides a LOT of detail here, from how things looked, smelled, and felt in great detail, to how the tree climbing process and equipment work. As someone who couldn’t care less how many loops climbing ropes have on them and why, not about the most personal details of the lives of the scientists, these were also parts of the book I skimmed. The bringing-together of the scientists/characters in the story was also told in a very circuitous way, which I’m not sure was necessary to the story itself, either.
All of that said, the book is quite readable , overall. I learned a lot about Redwoods and other trees, and confirmed a lot of questions and ideas I had about what kinds of life live in the world above our heads. This book also speaks overall to the plight of scientists and others who are so passionate about one narrow focus in the world, and how they keep pushing on in every way they can to study something that most people don’t even think about.
All of that said, the book is quite readable , overall. I learned a lot about Redwoods and other trees, and confirmed a lot of questions and ideas I had about what kinds of life live in the world above our heads. This book also speaks overall to the plight of scientists and others who are so passionate about one narrow focus in the world, and how they keep pushing on in every way they can to study something that most people don’t even think about.
applegnreads's review against another edition
3.0
Trees and the bizarre people who inhabit them... read it for my science book group.
I must say that the one thing about Preston's books that irritates me is that he can't just tell us if someone lives to the end. I can't take the suspense. Seriously.
I must say that the one thing about Preston's books that irritates me is that he can't just tell us if someone lives to the end. I can't take the suspense. Seriously.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
3.5***
The book is subtitled: A Story of Passion and Daring and that is the best description. It reminds me of Krakauer’s book Into the Wild in that Preston describes young men who are brilliant and singular in pursuing their chosen field of study (tree botany), but awkward and distant from most personal relationships.
Steve Sillett and Michael Taylor begin their studies completely independent of one another, but share the wonder and awe for the magnificent California redwoods and a determination to discover the world’s tallest tree. Along the way they discover entire ecosystems and new realms in biodiversity. Known among their peers in the field, they nevertheless shun the spotlight and are obsessively protective of the hidden groves where these giants live. That Preston gained their trust and wrote so eloquently about their quest (without revealing the details of the locations of these trees) is a testament to his skill and character as a journalist and writer.
He writes a nonfiction account that is fascinating and compelling. There were a few parts that dragged – mostly when Preston got involved in the story and outlined his own attempts (and that of his family) to learn tree-climbing techniques. Still, while I didn’t think this was as good as his earlier works (The Hot Zone and Demon in the Freezer), I was entertained and interested from beginning to end.
The book is subtitled: A Story of Passion and Daring and that is the best description. It reminds me of Krakauer’s book Into the Wild in that Preston describes young men who are brilliant and singular in pursuing their chosen field of study (tree botany), but awkward and distant from most personal relationships.
Steve Sillett and Michael Taylor begin their studies completely independent of one another, but share the wonder and awe for the magnificent California redwoods and a determination to discover the world’s tallest tree. Along the way they discover entire ecosystems and new realms in biodiversity. Known among their peers in the field, they nevertheless shun the spotlight and are obsessively protective of the hidden groves where these giants live. That Preston gained their trust and wrote so eloquently about their quest (without revealing the details of the locations of these trees) is a testament to his skill and character as a journalist and writer.
He writes a nonfiction account that is fascinating and compelling. There were a few parts that dragged – mostly when Preston got involved in the story and outlined his own attempts (and that of his family) to learn tree-climbing techniques. Still, while I didn’t think this was as good as his earlier works (The Hot Zone and Demon in the Freezer), I was entertained and interested from beginning to end.
danileighta's review against another edition
4.0
Have you ever wanted to roam around at the top of a 350 foot tree? Me, too! This book is a good mix of facts and story, detailing the lives of people who have a special love of redwoods and a special desire to climb them. It's full of weird folks who seem to have better relationships with the natural world than woth humans. I can relate.
Although it's 12 years old at this point, it's still loaded with information, so I would suggest it to those studying redwoods or trees, but also to those who just want a good story full of funny characters... that takes place high in the air.
Although it's 12 years old at this point, it's still loaded with information, so I would suggest it to those studying redwoods or trees, but also to those who just want a good story full of funny characters... that takes place high in the air.
zmull's review against another edition
3.0
Good tree stuff. Way too much personal info about the climbers. I didn't need to know they boned in a tree hammock.
anna_c's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5