gemgemjackson's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.5
nicktomjoe's review against another edition
5.0
I was charmed by the mixture of autobiography, botany and almost sermon-like meditation on individual species. I am often tempted to race the final sections of a book: the structure and rhythm are so well put together that this was not the case here, and I’d recommend this as a lovely, engrossing introduction (or reflection for the non-beginner) to the culture of trees in the UK. Full of “did you know...?” passages and entertaining sidelines, this is a splendid book.
dmshanmugam's review against another edition
4.0
The author writes in a really genuine way that some pop science books lack. The book is well-paced and each section is purposeful + surprisingly easy to read. Was never wondering how many pages were left in a given chapter. Even if I didn't retain that much, pretty relaxing to read about trees.
learned that the # of inches in a tree's circumference is a good proxy for its age! bout to learn a lot of tree ages
learned that the # of inches in a tree's circumference is a good proxy for its age! bout to learn a lot of tree ages
nytshayde's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful natural and cultural history of Britain's trees. There were many inteesting tidbits throughout and it was both a quick and enjoyable read.
halfmanhalfbook's review against another edition
3.0
It is only a tree.
Or is it?
These mere plants have given the human race so much over the millennia. The obvious things are shelter and warmth, but they have also fed us, healed us and with the skill of carpenters have also allowed us to travel. Not only that they are an essential part of our planet’s eco system, converting carbon dioxide to oxygen as acting lungs, are home to countless animals and insects, and are a marvel of organic engineering.
In this book Adams takes us on a historical and scientific wander through the woods. It is full of facts and anecdotes on all things woody, such as details on what wood burn best, how to make charcoal, how trees defy science by pumping water much higher than you’d expect, how coppicing adds so much more to a woodland. He writes about how our ancestors worked the trees with stone, bronze and iron, how trees have made amazing structures like the roof of Westminster Abbey and that it is now though that the process of converting light and carbon dioxide actually involves quantum biology.
Generally I enjoyed this. Adams has written a book that is a good introduction to trees in general. All throughout the book are beautiful line drawings taken from John Evelyn classic book Sylva of common English species of trees like the chestnut, oak and yew, which add a nice touch to the book. It is a touch whimsical at times, but still very readable nonetheless.
Or is it?
These mere plants have given the human race so much over the millennia. The obvious things are shelter and warmth, but they have also fed us, healed us and with the skill of carpenters have also allowed us to travel. Not only that they are an essential part of our planet’s eco system, converting carbon dioxide to oxygen as acting lungs, are home to countless animals and insects, and are a marvel of organic engineering.
In this book Adams takes us on a historical and scientific wander through the woods. It is full of facts and anecdotes on all things woody, such as details on what wood burn best, how to make charcoal, how trees defy science by pumping water much higher than you’d expect, how coppicing adds so much more to a woodland. He writes about how our ancestors worked the trees with stone, bronze and iron, how trees have made amazing structures like the roof of Westminster Abbey and that it is now though that the process of converting light and carbon dioxide actually involves quantum biology.
Generally I enjoyed this. Adams has written a book that is a good introduction to trees in general. All throughout the book are beautiful line drawings taken from John Evelyn classic book Sylva of common English species of trees like the chestnut, oak and yew, which add a nice touch to the book. It is a touch whimsical at times, but still very readable nonetheless.
halfmanhalfbook's review
3.0
It is only a tree.
Or is it?
These mere plants have given the human race so much over the millennia. The obvious things are shelter and warmth, but they have also fed us, healed us and with the skill of carpenters have also allowed us to travel. Not only that they are an essential part of our planet’s eco system, converting carbon dioxide to oxygen as acting lungs, are home to countless animals and insects, and are a marvel of organic engineering.
In this book Adams takes us on a historical and scientific wander through the woods. It is full of facts and anecdotes on all things woody, such as details on what wood burn best, how to make charcoal, how trees defy science by pumping water much higher than you’d expect, how coppicing adds so much more to a woodland. He writes about how our ancestors worked the trees with stone, bronze and iron, how trees have made amazing structures like the roof of Westminster Abbey and that it is now though that the process of converting light and carbon dioxide actually involves quantum biology.
Generally I enjoyed this. Adams has written a book that is a good introduction to trees in general. All throughout the book are beautiful line drawings taken from John Evelyn classic book Sylva of common English species of trees like the chestnut, oak and yew, which add a nice touch to the book. It is a touch whimsical at times, but still very readable nonetheless.
Or is it?
These mere plants have given the human race so much over the millennia. The obvious things are shelter and warmth, but they have also fed us, healed us and with the skill of carpenters have also allowed us to travel. Not only that they are an essential part of our planet’s eco system, converting carbon dioxide to oxygen as acting lungs, are home to countless animals and insects, and are a marvel of organic engineering.
In this book Adams takes us on a historical and scientific wander through the woods. It is full of facts and anecdotes on all things woody, such as details on what wood burn best, how to make charcoal, how trees defy science by pumping water much higher than you’d expect, how coppicing adds so much more to a woodland. He writes about how our ancestors worked the trees with stone, bronze and iron, how trees have made amazing structures like the roof of Westminster Abbey and that it is now though that the process of converting light and carbon dioxide actually involves quantum biology.
Generally I enjoyed this. Adams has written a book that is a good introduction to trees in general. All throughout the book are beautiful line drawings taken from John Evelyn classic book Sylva of common English species of trees like the chestnut, oak and yew, which add a nice touch to the book. It is a touch whimsical at times, but still very readable nonetheless.
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