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A review by sweekune
Where the Wildflowers Grow: My Botanical Journey Through Britain and Ireland by Leif Bersweden
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.