Natural History Books

Book SynopsisAN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER “The most brilliant feline portrait in literary history.” –People Magazine (Book of the Week)The #1 bestselling author of The Alienist tells the extraordinary story of Masha, a half-wild rescue cat who fought off a bear, tackled Caleb like a linebacker—and bonded with him as tightly as any cat and human possibly can.“Dares us to take a journey into love and pain . . . My Beloved Monster is a love story and a requiem.” –Wall Street Journal“Excellent…Worth the emotional investment, and the tissues you will need by the end, to spend time with a writer and cat duo as extraordinary as Masha and Carr.” —Washington Post Book World Caleb Carr has had special relationships with cats since he was a young boy in a turbulent household, famously peopled by the founding members of the Beat Generation, where his steadiest companions were the adopted cats that lived with him both in the city and the country. As an adult, he has had many close feline companions, with relationships that have outlasted most of his human ones. But only after building a three-story home in rural, upstate New York did he enter into the most extraordinary of all of his cat pairings: Masha, a Siberian Forest cat who had been abandoned as a kitten, and was languishing in a shelter when Caleb met her. She had hissed and fought off all previous carers and potential adopters, but somehow, she chose Caleb as her savior.   For the seventeen years that followed, Caleb and Masha were inseparable. Masha ruled the house and the extensive, dangerous surrounding fields and forests. When she was hurt, only Caleb could help her. When he suffered long-standing physical ailments, Masha knew what to do. Caleb’s life-long study of the literature of cat behavior, and his years of experience with previous cats, helped him decode much of Masha’s inner life. But their bond went far beyond academic studies and experience. The story of Caleb and Masha is an inspiring and life-affirming relationship for readers of all backgrounds and interests—a love story like no other.  

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Book Synopsis“If you have been still enough for long enough, your eyes will have attuned and begun to read the sea-surge fluently, so you recognize the blunt curve and flourished tail of a diving otter. Home your eyes in on that portion of the sea, permit nothing else to move, and you will see the otter eel-catching, resurfacing.” It is a special privilege and a richly rewarding experience to observe a wild animal hunting, interacting with its young or its mate, exploring its habitat, or escaping a predator. To watch wildlife, it’s essential not only to learn an animal’s ways, the times and places you may find it, but also to look inward: to station yourself, focus, and wait. The experience depends on your stillness, silence, and full attention, watching and listening with minimal movement and if possible staying downwind so that your presence is not sensed. With decades of close observation of wild animals and birds, Jim Crumley has found himself up close and personal with many of our most elusive creatures, studying their movements, noting details, and offering intimate insights into their extraordinary lives. Here, he draws us into his magical world, showing how we can learn to watch wildlife well, and what doing so can mean for our ability to care for it, and care for ourselves.Trade Review'Incredibly meditative and vivid … joyful and magical … a truly enchanting read.' -- Book of the Month, The Scots Magazine

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Book SynopsisA guide to the global diversity of snakes with insights from Natural History Museum experts.

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Book SynopsisA Naturalist's Guide to the Butterflies of the Philippines is an introductory photographic guide to 289 butterfly species commonly seen in the Philippines. High quality photographs from the Philippines' top nature photographers are accompanied by detailed species descriptions, which include nomenclature, wing size, larval foodplant, distribution and habitat. The user-friendly introduction covers species and subspecies, butterfly observation, areas to visit, some butterfly facts, identification and taxonomy, and a glossary. Also included is an all-important checklist of all of the butterflies of the Philippines with their current global status and endemicity.

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Jacques Barzun Prize in Cultural History‘A masterful blend of natural and human history . . . Farmer’s Elderflora aren’t just amazing old organisms, but a backdrop against which human drama, hubris and decency play out.’ – New Scientist‘Fascinating’ – The ObserverCombining rigorous research with lyrical writing, Elderflora chronicles the complex roles ancient trees have played in the modern world and illuminates how we might need old trees now more than ever.Humans have always revered long-lived trees. But as historian Jared Farmer reveals in Elderflora, our respect took a modern turn in the eighteenth century when naturalists embarked on a quest to locate and precisely date the oldest living things on earth. The new science of tree time prompted travellers to visit ancient specimens and conservationists to protect sacred groves. ExploitationTrade ReviewJared Farmer brings both classic and state-of-the-art botany alive . . . he shows singular insight into how we do what we do—and perhaps more importantly—why we spend our lives studying trees. -- Hope Jahren, author of Lab GirlWhile it is true that the trees have no tongues, that doesn’t mean they don’t speak to us . . . Read Jared Farmer’s lucid and fascinating book to discover the . . . mysteries told by elderflora. -- Michael Mann, author of The New Climate WarSacred trees . . . are at the root of historian Jared Farmer’s magisterial study of arboreal longevity, but like the outstretched limbs of a luxuriant elm, his narrative extends over a broad range of social and scientific issues. -- Laurence A. Marschall * Natural History *The book succeeds as a cultural history of the conservation ideal that led society to forest preservation. -- David W. Stahle * Science *[An] expansive global history of grand and venerable trees. -- Josie Glausiusz * Nature *A sweeping, exceptional tribute to the oldest living organisms on Earth. -- Rebecca Coffey * Forbes *Short of actually having the honor of spending time in the presence of elderflora, I think Elderflora is the next best thing to provoke a sense of wonder. -- Dominic Boyer * The Berlin Journal *

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Book Synopsis"...her photographs serve as an initiative to raise awareness on the threats facing wildlife, and the environment which sustains it." — Arabian Business Traveller A truly beautiful collection of luxurious images, Among the Living, Where You Belong showcases the magnificent wildlife photography taken by photographer and explorer Guadalupe Laiz. For this book, Guadalupe travelled across the African continent for six years, forgoing comfort for months at a time—returning with intimate portraits of charismatic and fierce, yet often vulnerable and endangered animals. It is impossible to look at one of her photographs—really see it—and not feel her subject’s innate individuality. She spends time with these creatures up close in their natural habitats, gets to know them personally over time, and builds on trust and respect in encounters with such creatures as Big Craig, the biggest elephant tusker in Kenya, the famous Susa gorilla family in Rwanda, or Bob Jr., the majestic lion dubbed the King of the Serengeti in Tanzania—among many others, including rhinos, giraffes, zebras, leopards, and more. Her work reveals something anyone who has been around such animals at close range knows: these beasts are intelligent and self-interested. They love. They fear. They have needs and desires, and they deserve to be themselves and be seen for what and who they are. Guadalupe’s work is vital. Ultimately, Guadalupe’s efforts are to communicate through art the importance of animal abuse awareness, environmental issues, and the relevance of educating all generations to make conscious lifestyle decisions to protect our planet. Beautiful and transporting, Guadalupe’s work is also a call to action. She inspires us to become wildlife advocates, and to join conservation efforts whichever way we can. Guadalupe has partnered with nonprofits involved with environmental issues, animal abuse, and human-animal conflicts in Africa, such as the Dian Fossey Foundation, Big Life Foundation, Save Giraffes Now, and Lewa Conservancy for Rhinos, as well as engaged in humanitarian work with 4africa in South Sudan and north Uganda. Guadalupe offers this collection, a labour of love, of her encounters with this wildlife, chronicling the many linked moments she witnessed in the intimacy of their everyday journeys.Trade Review"...her photographs serve as an initiative to raise awareness on the threats facing wildlife, and the environment which sustains it." - Arabian Business Traveller

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Book SynopsisThe Outer Hebrides is an island archipelago on the remotest north-western periphery of a bigger island archipelago, itself part of Europe’s Atlantic coastline. And what is Atlantic Europe if not the north-western tip of the vast land mass of Eurasia? Here is an unrivalled sense of place, on the edge, the periphery, the brink. Bruce Kendrick has been visiting these islands, regularly, since 1970. Art & Nature in the Outer Hebrides combines his highly commendable nature writing with fascinating stories of folk he has met over the years who create wonderful art and crafts in these remote islands. How do these artists, be they painters, potters, photographers, or poets, interpret their world of nature, their culture, their heritage, here in the wilds of the north-east Atlantic Ocean? Like many worthwhile things in life, making art is not without its challenges. There will be setbacks on any lifelong journey but there will be triumphs too. If there is one trait these Hebridean-based artists do have in common it is their single-minded determination and persistence to create art, in all its many guises, from out of the deep well of their own imagination and their inescapable world of nature’s beauty and inspiration. Bruce is also an accomplished nature photographer and his supporting images of both art and nature in these islands only add to the book’s appeal. So come along and enjoy Bruce’s fine narrative style as he travels from Lewis in the north to Vatersay in the south where nature prevails and art flourishes.

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Book SynopsisThis powerful collection features the 100 winning images from the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 competition.

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Book SynopsisCharles Darwin is best known for his work on the evolution of animals, but in fact a large part of his contribution to the natural sciences is focused on plants. His observations are crucial to our modern understanding of everything from the amazing pollination process of orchids to the way that vines climb. Darwin and the Art of Botany collects writings from six often overlooked texts devoted entirely to plants, and pairs each excerpt with beautiful botanical art from the library at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, creating a gorgeously illustrated volume that never existed in Darwin's own lifetime, and hasn't since. Evolutionary botanist and science historian James Costa brings his expertise to each entry, situating Darwin's words in the context of the knowledge and research of the time. The result is a new way of visualizing Darwin's work, and a greater understanding of the ways he's shaped our world.

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Book SynopsisA memoir of hope, healing and restoration, from star of TV's The Repair Shop, Suzie Fletcher.Suzie Fletcher is the warm and friendly face on TV's The Repair Shop that viewers look forward to watching every week as the resident leather expert - a craft she has honed over four decades and was born out of her love of horses. But while she tends to be the one repairing and offering a gentle kindness to others, Suzie has also been in a process of change, reflection, and healing.In her first book Suzie looks back over her life - which moves from England to Colorado and back again - and the places, people and experiences that have shaped the person she is today. We'll hear for the first time, how Suzie has overcome some of life's most difficult challenges, from complicated relationships to grief.A self-confessed free spirit with a deep connection to nature, Suzie's exceptional warmth and zest for life shine through on every page, making The Sun Over the Mountains a truly inspiring read that will resonate with anyone who has faced uncertainty but has the courage and power within them to overcome it.

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Book SynopsisAn ardent steward of the land, fearless traveller and unrivalled observer of nature and culture, Barry Lopez died after a long illness on Christmas Day in 2020. The previous summer, a wildfire had consumed much of what was dear to him in his home and the community around it – a tragic reminder of the climate change of which he’d long warned. At once a cri de Coeur and a memoir of both pain and wonder, this remarkable collection of essays adds indelibly to Lopez’s legacy, and includes previously unpublished works, some written in the months before his death. They unspool memories, both personal and political, among them tender, sometimes painful stories of his childhood in New York and California, reports from expeditions to study animals and sea life, recollections of travels to Antarctica and other extraordinary places on earth, and mediations on finding oneself amid vast, dramatic landscapes. He reflects on those who taught him, including Indigenous elders and scientific mentors who sharpened his eye for the natural world. We witness poignant returns from his travels to the sanctuary of his Oregon backyard and in prose of searing candour, he reckons with the cycle of life, including own and – as he has done throughout his career – with the dangers the earth and its people are facing. With an introduction by Rebecca Solnit that speaks to Lopez’s keen attention to the world, including its spiritual dimensions, Embrace Fearlessly the Burning World opens our minds and sounds to the important of being wholly present to the beauty and complexity of life.Trade Review‘The world is vast, and so are the heart and the curiosity of Barry Lopez. His voice is incomparable and necessary.’ -- David Quammen

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Book SynopsisA riveting new exploration of the octopus from the world-leading scientific expert. For fans of Netflix's 'My Octopus Teacher' and Other Minds by Peter Godfrey-Smith.'Enchanting.' MAIL ON SUNDAY'Abounds with wonders.' KATHLEEN JAMIE, NEW STATESMAN'Brings the world of the octopus vividly alive... a sense of what it might be like to live in their skins.' FINANCIAL TIMES'The deepest of octopus books.' PETER GODFREY-SMITHAS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4'S TODAY PROGRAMME_________________What is it like to be an octopus?The octopus is a highly intelligent and deeply mysterious creature. It can change colour as quickly as it can move, 'think' with its tentacles and communicate in sophisticated ways.Marine biologist David Scheel's lifelong preoccupation with these animals has led to a career of groundbreaking research, from finding previously unknown species to the discovery of signaling communication. In Many Things Under a Rock, Scheel shares his deep scientific understanding of octopuses and recounts his intrepid adventures with these mysterious, charismatic creatures.He investigates four major mysteries about octopuses: what can we know about such elusive and camouflaged creatures? Why are they so extraordinarily resilient? How do their bodies work? And what kind of relationships do they have? In unravelling these mysteries, Dr Scheel shows octopuses to be complex emotional beings and reveals what they can teach us about ourselves.Trade Review"Scheel brings the world of the octopus vividly alive. The best nature books do not just describe animals: they give us a sense of what it might be like to shape-shift ourselves and live in their skins." * Financial Times *Fascinating. Scheel's unique perspective on these animals makes this the deepest of octopus books. * Peter Godfrey-Smith, author of Other Minds *David Scheel's astonishing observations make him one of the most important octopus ethologists working today. He is also, fortunately for us, a sensitive and lyrical writer, bringing knowledge and stories from native cultures to bear on the science he describes. I was agog at some of his accounts: severed arms wincing with pain; octopuses throwing things at each other; and octopuses seemingly standing sentinel over their octopus neighbourhoods. This book is mind-blowing and soul-expanding. You'll be thinking and talking about Many Things Under a Rock for a long time. * Sy Montgomery, author of The Soul of an Octopus *Enchanting... This is just one of the fascinating factoids that marine biologist David Scheel shares with us in this clever book, based on his 25 years as one of the leading octopus researchers in the world... It is enough to melt the stoniest of hearts. * Mail on Sunday *Octopuses are deeply, gloriously weird... The book abounds with wonders. -- Kathleen Jamie * New Statesman *Scheel offers fascinating glimpses of octopus life [...] that may thrill and surprise even those of us who have read The Soul of an Octopus or watched My Octopus Teacher... excellent. * Times Literary Supplement *Scheel has been studying cephalopods for 25 years. His fascination is infectious in Many Things Under a Rock, which sets out to address an interesting question: what is it like to be an octopus? ... How wonderfully weird and weirdly human. * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisA moving story of love, friendship, grief, healing, and the magical bond between a woman and her dog - now in a stunning new edition as part of Virago''s 50th anniversary Five Gold Reads seriesWINNER OF THE 2018 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD * A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2020 INTERNATIONAL DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD''A true delight: I genuinely fear I won''t read a better novel this year'' FINANCIAL TIMES''Loved this. A funny, moving examination of love, grief, and the uniqueness of dogs'' GRAHAM NORTON''Delicious'' SUNDAY TIMES 100 BEST SUMMER READSWhen a woman unexpectedly loses her lifelong best friend and mentor, she finds herself burdened with the unwanted dog he has left behind. Her own battle against grief is intensified by the mute suffering of the dog, a huge Great Dane, and by the threat of eviction: dogs are prohibited in her apartment building.Isolated from the rest of the woTrade ReviewA true delight: I genuinely fear I won't read a better novel this year * Financial Times *A beautiful book . . . crammed with a world of insight into death, grief, art, and love * Wall Street Journal *Very very clever. Mature. Entertaining. Eminently readable and re-readable. In short, absolutely delightful. * Irish Times *Delicious ... An intensely pleasurable read because it is so accessible, capacious and clever * Sunday Times *A pitch-perfect novel ... Wry and moving, The Friend is a love story, a mania story and a recovery story * Vanity Fair *Loved this. A funny, moving examination of love, grief, and the uniqueness of dogs * Graham Norton *A sneaky gut punch of a novel . . . a consummate example of the human-animal tale * Harper's Magazine *The book is an intimate, beautiful thing, deceptively slight at around 200 pages, but humming with insight . . . [an] artfully discursive meditation on friendship, love, death, solitude, canine companionship and the life of an aging writer in New York .. peppered with wry observations * The Economist *I loved it . . . It's one of my favourite books and it moved me * Whoopi Goldberg, The View *A poignant reflection on loss and companionship * Marie Claire *Often as funny as it is thoughtful, The Friend is an elegant meditation on grief, friendship, healing, and the bonds between humans and dogs * Buzzfeed *An elegant and darkly humorous meditation on grief and companionship, it's a great read - whether or not you're obsessed with canines * Shondaland.com *Charming ... the comedy here writes itself... The snap of her sentences sometimes puts me in mind of Rachel Cusk * New York Times *The contemplation of writing and the loss of integrity in our literary life form the heart of the novel . . . Nunez's prose itself comforts us. Her confident and direct style uplifts - the music in her sentences, her deep and varied intelligence. She addresses important ideas unpretentiously and offers wisdom for any aspiring writer who, as the narrator fears, may never know this dear, intelligent friend - or this world that is dying. But is it dying? Perhaps. But with The Friend, Nunez provides evidence that, for now, it survives * New York Times Book Review *In crystalline prose, Nunez creates an impressively controlled portrait of the 'exhaustion of mourning' * New Yorker *Astonishingly fresh and tinged with sadness . . . a highly entertaining, uplifting book exploring the magical bond between humans and canines. A must-read for dog-lovers. * The Lady *She has a wry compassion, and an eye for the kind of detail only grown-ups can catch. The books feel lived-in rather than hard-earned, the voice is smart and kind -- Anne Enright * The Times *

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Book SynopsisThis powerful anthology brings together thirty-four writers - educators, journalists, poets, and scientists - to share their emotions in the face of environmental crisis. They share their solastalgia, their beloved places, their vulnerability, their stories, their vision of what we can create.

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Book SynopsisBreathing with the Climate Crisis offers a hopeful narrative about the climate crisis, a new, different perspective that could unleash the courage to act. Young people and farmers from the East, South, North and West asked at a world biodynamic conference, How can we find our own breath? Do we need more facts? More head? More heart? Feeling? Poetry?' Theysuggest that you begin with your own inquiry process, ask yourself your burning questions'. Think further. Also, think with your head, heart and hands

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Book SynopsisThe most updated bird ID book on the market. Beginners and experienced birdwatchers turn to this guide to identify the birds they see in their backyards and on bushwalking or birdwatching expeditions. Designed to slip easily into a pocket, back- pack or glove box. This is a new and updated version of the very popular Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds and includes 64 new or extensively revised colour plates, incorporating all the new birds observed in Australia, including Tasmania and islands and territories since 1986. Also included is a re-organisation of the guide into broad habitats - seabirds, shore birds, inland water birds and bush birds; updated common and scientific names, revised maps, and a new visual index to aid beginners in finding the most appropriate pages in the guide. A must for serious naturalists in Australia, be they beginners or experts.

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Book SynopsisThis book is a must-read for everyone who cherishes dogs and the perfect gift for a dog-lover friend. It will engross and delight readers of all ages as they go through one memorable story after another.

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Book SynopsisEven the most delightful ducks can have a bad day . . . What's the matter with Dick the Duck? He's usually so kind and friendly!But today Dick got out on The Wrong Side of Bed. He feelshumpy and grumpy, cranky and cross. How can his friends cheer himup?A magnificently funny rhyming story about the power of kindness andfriendship.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A must have for anyone with an interest in the bees of western North America."---Ian Paulsen, The Birdbooker Report"I am delighted to add [Common Bees of Western North America] to my ever expanding library on bees; it is bound to become a treasured reference."---David M. Gascoigne, Travels With Birds"With beautiful paintings and concise information. . . . [Common Bees of Western North America] is an interesting book that has local content."---Geoff Carpentier, North Durham Nature"The book will serve as valuable addition to any enthusiast’s library for use in identifying those bees photographed during a field day"---Amanda Williams, Buzz About Bees

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Book SynopsisThis series of Western Dressage exercises are designed to improve suppleness, balance in movement, and responsiveness. Each exercise has a specific goal in mind, and they are organized by different areas of focus: softness, looseness, rider development, engagement, adjustability, and ground work. With illustrated step-by-step instructions and full arena diagrams, you’ll quickly be on your way to mastering this exciting discipline.

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Book SynopsisForest School Handbook is lively collection of activities, crafts, bushcraft skills and nature-based play which will inspire kids to thrive outside. Whether just popping out for a walk, going camping or exploring in the woods, this handy-sized book will be your essential guide for connecting with the natural world. Packed with ideas and activities for children of all ages, there are bushcraft basics, survival skills, nature crafts and ideas for both energising and peaceful outdoor play. Encouraging controlled risk taking, boosting social skills, wellbeing and a healthy resilience, this is the ultimate way to avoid battles over screen time and classroom-induced fatigue. Build a shelter from what you find around you, design a natural collage, tie useful knots, get to know a tree, light a fire, filter dirty water, make charcoal, go on a night walk, make a bug hotel, create a mini village, whittle a stick and much more. Aimed at parents, outdoor teachers or anyone passionate about getting back to basics Grab-and-go size makes it easy to pack in your outdoor kit bag Written by award-winning outdoor specialists, with detailed knowledge of Forest School practices and who are experienced leading school groups either as a thrilling woodland class outing or online Includes traditional Forest School activities and beyond. Catering for older children who are ready to explore more involved primitive skills and bushcraft Playing and learning outside in nature has been shown to benefit children in many ways, such as improved moods, concentration, confidence and self-esteem Forest School Adventure has sold c.35,000 copies and been translated into French, German, Czech and Italian Trade Review5 STAR REVIEW Forest School Handbook is a fantastic forest school guide written by two absolute experts in bringing practical learning, fun activities and survival skills to children in the great outdoors. The book is packed with information, ideas and explanations that cover a huge range of bush craft skills. Outdoor play and experiences are at the forefront of ensuring the wellbeing and positive mental health of our children and this book is an excellent resource to use. It helps adults and children safely and confidently immerse themselves in nature themed learning and fun. It is a glossy, useful and delightful book - with obvious expertise and enthusiasm behind it. -- Jennifer Caddick, teacher * Reading Zone *This handy-sized book, easy to fit in your jacket pocket or rucksack, is perfect for taking on adventures outdoors with the kids! It includes over 75 activities for children ages 5 to 11 on how to build simple but effective shelters and dens, how to tie an array of useful knots, how to collect and filter water, how to forage safely and a multitude of other outdoor crafts that will give them confidence and a life-long love and appreciation for nature and enjoying it responsibly. * Right Start Online *Altogether a smashing little book that deserves to be in every family and class collection. -- Jill Bennett * Red Reading Hub *This little book is super handy to take outdoors and to get inspired in the nature classroom… It’s packed with exciting collection of activities, crafts, bushcraft skills and nature based play to inspire children to thrive outside. * @the_treasure_outdoors *From beginner to expert, there's ideas here for everyone: nature awareness activities using the senses, crafts, den building and knots as well as skill building and survival ideas, such as fire lighting, water filters, first aid, foraging, cooking and primitive skills (perfect for a Stone Age topic). I can't wait to start using this brilliant book at home and school. I'd recommend a bit of planning before trying some of these activities, but it's the perfect size to pop in the rucksack so you're always prepared for an outdoor adventure! * @mrsbrownsbookbox *This is a wonderful book, I love the size of it too, fits nicely into my bag to take out and about! It’s full of lots of interesting activities to do with nature in particular forest school! * @the_little_adventurer_ *If you’re wondering what Forest School looks like, for activity inspiration or basic knots, this Forest School Handbook may be useful to you! It’s full of fantastic outdoor and nature activity ideas and inspiration, wild food knowledge, fire safety and tips, camp craft, primitive skills and more. From two highly knowledgeable practitioners, who specialise in bush craft and Stone Age skills, it’s rather valuable! * @homeplayexplore *BRILLIANT and full of activities, crafts, bushcraft skills and nature based play which will inspire kids to thrive outdoors! * @growingthroughplay *Do you enjoy being outdoors? Or are you looking for a book to inspire your kiddos to step away from screens and embrace nature? If so, The Forest School Handbook is the perfect summer read. It is packed with activities, crafts, and nature-based play. * @picturebookrecommendations *A remarkable compendium of fun, safe, and educational DIY outdoor activities, the "Forest School Handbook" will be an enduringly valued and appreciated resource for parents and teachers wanting to offer children attractive alternatives to their computer, phone, and television screens. "Forest School Handbook" is a critically important and valued addition to family, preschool, elementary school, middle school, and community library Nature Crafting & Activities collections. * Mid-West Book Review *Table of ContentsIntroduction Playing in nature Nature Awareness Mini beast hunting Night vision Muddy tracks Sit spot Stalking walks Flour trail tracker Observation stations Get to know a tree Camouflage hands Outdoor games Outdoor crafts Bird feeder Bug hotel Playing with clay Leaf and flower plaques Natural collage and sculptures Goblin villages and mini dens Nest building Storytelling stones Leaf printing Nature weaving Shadow painting Leaf watercolour Nature journal Leaf bunting Stick boats Things to do with conkers Useful knots Knot terminology Clove hitch Double half hitch Sheet bend Siberian hitch Timber hitch Prusik Square lashing Slippery guy line Canadian jam knot Sledge knot Hanking cord Shelters and dens Lean-to shelter A-frame shelter Baker’s tarp Tarp bender Fire Safety Sources of tinder Firewood Lighting a fire with a fire steel Fire lays Making charcoal Making char cloth Carrying fire Group bow drill Water Collecting water Birch tapping Bottle filter Camp craft Cordage Giant grass rope Knife safety Sharpening a knife Carving a butter knife Leather tinder pouch Wilderness survival Making stretchers Signal fire Plants for first aid Primitive skills Slate arrow Pine pitch glue Atl atl and spear Fat lamps Nut lamps Grass mat Natural clay Cave art and natural paints

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Book SynopsisTai is mad about animals and dreams of becoming a zookeeper when he grows up. Today is his chance to access all areas and explore what goes on behind the scenes at a zoo for the day. In this story you'll discover what it's like to handle a giant snake, how the zoo prepares for the arrival of a new animal and what happens when an animal goes missing. See some cutting-edge science in action, and find out how zoos work to protect endangered species, and what they do with all that dung.Written in collaboration with experts at Chester Zoo.

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Book SynopsisExplore the magical qualities of our feline friends through history, folklore, and myths! Incorporate feline energy into your spell and ritual work with this beautifully illustrated guide. Cat Magick invites you to bolster your magickal practice by embracing your wild feminine and developing the bond with your feline familiar. Learn about the centuries-long veneration of cats; feline history, myths, legends, and folklore; and the distinctions between familiars, guides, and messengers. Begin working with the unique energies of domestic shorthair and purebred cats, as well as big cats, including tigers, lions, and panthers. Conduct your own rituals for: Calling your feline guide and familiar to you Strengthening the bond with your familiar Syncing with lunar and solar energies Creating fur talismans Healing with cat medicine And much more! Open yourself up to Cat Magick and elevate your relationship with felines into one full of unity and mysticism.Trade Review"Colorfully illustrated throughout, Cat Magick is a unique, original, comprehensive, exceptionally well written, organized and presented instructional guide." * Midwest Book Review *Table of ContentsContents Prologue Introduction A Being Worthy of the Gods Cat Superstition and Persecution Cat Messengers, Guides, and Familiars Big Cat Energy A Being of the Metaphysical Your Feline Familiar and You The Power of a Cat's Magick Cat Medicine Magickal Tools The Tail End Thank you About the Author References Index

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Book SynopsisThis book describes the natural and cultural history of an iconic and unusual woodpecker – a species that nests in tree cavities but which forages mostly on the ground. The Green Woodpecker, known in folk English as the Yaffle, is afforded comprehensive coverage in this work, with information on its origins, taxonomy, anatomy, appearance, moult, calls, distribution, conservation status, habitats, movements, breeding, diet and relationships with other wildlife and humans all presented. The text is richly illustrated throughout with quality photographs as well as sound spectrograms. Many eye-opening observations of Green Woodpecker behaviour are detailed. This all-encompassing and engaging account has been written for a wide audience, whether professional ornithologist, citizen scientist, amateur birder, woodpecker aficionado or simply someone who wishes to learn more about this curious and remarkable bird.Trade ReviewThe Green Woodpecker is extensively illustrated with captivating photographs and artwork which support Gorman’s narrative which is always authoritative, entertaining and fast-paced. -- James Wright, The Wryneck blogIf you want to know what we currently know about this species then this, undoubtedly, is the book for you. -- Mark Avery, author and environmental campaignerThis book is a must have for anyone with an interest in this species or with woodpeckers in general. -- Ian Paulsen, The Birdbooker ReportThis is a well-written book that brings together a wealth of information. Nobody has done more on a European scale to promote woodpecker issues than Gerard Gorman. -- Keith Betton, British BirdsWritten with a blend of scientific rigour and a narrative style, The Green Woodpecker invites both nature enthusiasts and curious minds to embark on a journey that deeps down into the species taxonomy, behaviours and conservation by highlighting the links between the bird and its surroundings. -- Letizia Campioni, AvocettaTable of ContentsAbout the author Acknowledgements Preface 1. Origins and Taxonomy 2. Anatomy and Morphology 3. Description and Identification 4. Moult, Ageing and Sexing 5. Relatives 6. Communication 7. Distribution, Population and Trends 8. Challenges and Conservation 9. Habitats 10. Behaviour 11. Movements and Flight 12. Breeding 13. Cavities 14. Tracks and Signs 15. Foraging and Food 16. Relationships 17. Folklore, Mythology and Symbolism References Index

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Book SynopsisAs the autumn nights draw in, join Polly Atkin in a nocturnal love song to the owls that surround her Lake District home - a stunning meditation on learning to listen in a world full of noise.

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Book SynopsisAn exciting new animal series set in the same world as the magicalBlossom Wood. Three best friends are transported to Blossom Meadowwhere they become ADORABLE puppies. The puppies must work togetherto help out a group of prank-pulling water sprites

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Book Synopsis''This is Stitfall in spadefuls; she celebrates the ragged corner of the UK and all its natural treasures. So refreshing!'' - Chris Packham''A joyful, heartwarming and important read for nature lovers!'' - Megan McCubbinGet up close to Cornwall''s wildlife with this magical guide to the yearHannah Stitfall is a TV presenter and zoologist, who regularly gets up in the early hours of the morning to try and catch sight of some of Cornwall''s best hidden wildlife. She will spend hours on end waiting for a creature to appear among a hedgerow, scurrying across Cornwall''s open fields or taking flight across its towering cliffs and sandy beaches. In these brief, magical moments, Hannah is able to see and capture animal behaviour that the general public rarely get to witness. In this book, Hannah shares her incredible stories, beautiful photographs and often funny meetings with Cornwall''s wildlife through the course of a year. From brown hares

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Book SynopsisMost birders keep lists of the species birds they have seen, but do any keep a list of pub birds, that is birds on pub signs and in pub names? This book is about these pub birds, their natural histories, folk-histories and those of the pubs that bear their names, some of the people involved in the story, and the memories that pub birds have evoked over a birding lifetime. This may appear to be a niche aspect of birding but before the advent of modern technology, pubs in 'good birding spots' were often the best place to find out from other birders "What's about?", preferably over a pint. On the eastern edge of the Yorkshire Dales at the entrance to Wensleydale, are four pubs all named after Black Swans within a five-mile radius. Intriguing, but why there? They sparked John Lawton's interest in pub birds and the list that began then spans eleven years, based on a sample of 711 pubs named after birds or things that are 'bird-related'. There are 117 identifiable species of birds, 17 non-specific birds (for example duck), and four mythical species, plus 35 pubs named after bird-related things. Technical stuff aside, pub birds are fun. Whilst being as accurate and informative as possible, this book is not meant to be too serious. Whilst 'plain vanilla' swans get boring, the 'Swan and Cemetery' (in Bury), the 'Swan and Railway' (in Wigan) and three pubs called 'The Swan with Two Necks' (in Bristol, Clitheroe and Wakefield) cry out for an explanation. As do two Welsh pubs both called 'The Goose and Cuckoo' in Llanover (Monmouthshire) and Llangadog (Carmarthenshire). The resulting aviary of 117 species doesn't quite range from A to Z, but the list does run from 'The Blackbird' on Earls Court Road in London to a 'Yellow Wagtail' in Yeovil. The book covers the commonest pub birds, why they are so named, their geography and history, and also pub birds in art, literature and music. There is even a short chapter on nests, babies, feathers and bird paraphernalia. Throughout, the author has woven some of his fondest memories of pub birds into the story and from time-to-time he may even have gone into the pub for a pint.

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Book SynopsisEver since Darwin, science has enshrined competition as biology’s brutal architect. But this revelatory new book argues that our narrow view of evolution has caused us to ignore the generosity and cooperation that exist around us, from the soil to the sky. In Sweet in Tooth and Claw, Kristin Ohlson explores the subtle ways in which nature is in constant collaboration to the betterment of all species. From the bear that discards the remainders of his salmon dinner on the forest ground, to the bright coral reefs of Cuba, she shows readers not only the connectivity lying beneath the surface in natural ecosystems, but why it’s vital for humans to incorporate that understanding into our interactions with nature, and also with each other. Much of the damage that humans have done to our natural environment stems from our ignorance of these dense webs of connection. As we struggle to cope with the environmental hazards that our behaviour has unleashed, it’s more important than ever to understand nature’s billions of cooperative interactions. This way, we can stop disrupting them and instead rely on them to renew ecosystems. In reporting from the frontlines of scientific research, regenerative agriculture, and urban conservation, Ohlson shows that a shift from focusing on competition to collaboration can heal not only our relationships with the natural world, but also with each other.Trade Review‘Deftly weaving together science, social thought, and a remarkable cast of characters, Ohlson's book uncovers the marvellous partnerships that make life possible, showing that cooperation, not competition, is the key to survival.’ -- Elizabeth Carlisle, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at UC Santa Barbara, and author of Healing Grounds: climate, justice, and the deep roots of regenerative farming‘Ohlson looks at nature through the lens of cooperation, from the intricate workings of one-celled creatures all the way to entire forests and cities (above and below ground). This deeply-reported and stunning book holds up a mirror to us humans, showing how we thrive when we embrace nature’s generous spirit.’ -- Judith Schwartz, author of The Reindeer Chronicles and Other Inspiring Stories of Working With Nature to Heal the Earth‘Journalist Ohlson pushes back against the Darwinian notion that “competition rules” in this vivid survey … Alongside the fascinating case studies, Ohlson reflects on her own connection to nature in oft-lyrical prose … This is as charming as it is enlightening.’ * Publishers Weekly *‘A new attempt to rebalance our view of evolution.’ * New Scientist *‘The idea that evolution is driven by the survival of the fittest is so entrenched in the study of biology that research has largely focused on competition between species rather than co-operation. But, as Kristin Ohlson shows in this inspiring field-trip of a book, nature is full of ecosystems that thrive on harmony and balance rather than division and conflict … Ohlson explores the many forms of collaboration or “mutualism” in nature and how they offer a constructive template for our own interactions with the world.’ * The Sydney Morning Herald *‘In her fascinating book, Sweet in Tooth and Claw, American Kristin Ohlson argues that our slavish devotion to Darwin’s principle of the ‘survival of the fittest’, has blinded us to the cooperation that exists in nature … Insightful and interesting.’ -- Jeff Popple * Canberra Weekly *‘From microorganisms to fungi, to plants, fish and mammals, [Sweet in Tooth and Claw] examines interconnections in the natural world. The picture of how the world works that she reveals is both complex and beautiful … This is a great book for the non-scientist interested in how we humans live, how we produce our food, and our relationship with the rest of the natural world, from forests to coral to the microbiota of our guts. Clear and entertaining, Kristin Ohslon bridges the wide gap between current researchers and the curious.’ -- Penelope Cottier * The Canberra Times *‘Descriptions of nature as competitive … shaped the way people perceive it today. Sweet in Tooth and Claw debunks such concepts to reveal that, in fact, cooperation and generosity allow nature to thrive. It also speculates about what differences would be possible if human beings followed nature’s example … A rich and fascinating book, Sweet in Tooth and Claw is stunning in its vision of how, by embracing nature’s cooperative, generous spirit, human beings might do part of the great work of helping the planet and its inhabitants to thrive.’ -- Foreword Reviews, starred review‘Firsthand accounts of her time spent with researchers and practitioners are fascinating. Woven throughout are her thoughtful observations along with an abundance of striking, full-page colour photographs. Whether discussing individuals gardening with native plants or cities planning greener and more connected watersheds and ecosystems, Ohlson makes a compelling argument for working together and taking a lesson from the many instances of cooperation in nature.’ * Booklist *‘A book that reimagines what is possible when people see themselves as part of the ecosystem rather than as its predator. Refreshing, thought-provoking — and delightfully illustrated.’ * Civil Eats *‘Beautiful story-telling … The mutualism explored in Sweet in Tooth and Claw eases open our eyes, our hearts, our senses — guiding us to recognise countless examples of generosity and cooperation far beyond the pages of this book.’ * Medium *‘Kristin Ohlson … takes a deep, stimulating, and nuanced dive into the world of mutualism … What’s refreshing and, frankly, uplifting is Ohlson’s non-treacly pursuit of people seeking solutions. Bookshelves are already laden with tales of planetary gloom and doom that are, no doubt, scientifically accurate but also contributors to paralysis and hopelessness. At the core of Ohlson’s exploratory journey is her role as that trusted friend who can help humans of all stripes comprehend how cooperation within and among species undergirds a thriving natural world.’ -- Elizabeth McGowan * Washington Independent Review of Books *Praise for The Soil Will Save Us: ‘The author has a clear storytelling style, which comes in handy when drawing this head-turning portrait of lowly dirt.’ * Kirkus Reviews *Praise for Stalking the Divine: ‘Kristin Ohlson’s honesty, intelligence, and charm make this book irresistible. A nonbeliever who longs for a convincing spiritual experience, she writes about a community of cloistered nuns: women as honest, intelligent, and charming as she, who have centred their lives around prayer. Stalking the Divine is a delightful story about curiosity, by a writer who can’t be dispassionate about her subject and also can’t lie to herself.’ * Alice Mattison, author of The Book Borrower and Hilda and Pearl *Praise for Kabul Beauty School: ‘Colourful, suspenseful, funny … witty and insightful.’ STARRED REVIEW * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisTender Paws takes a deep dive into the practical benefits of applying therapeutic parenting best practices to dogs in our care. 2024 Winner of Dog Writers Association of America''s Maxwell Medallion for rescue/adoption book and IAM Book of the Year Award finalist in the Animlas/Pets/Nature category.2024 Maxwell Medallion Winner (Dog Writers Association of America) IAN Book of the Year Awards Finalist What if you could nurture your dog the way that developmental psychologists, trauma specialists, and other experts approach raising children? In Tender Paws, award-winning journalist Wendy Lyons Sunshine shows dog lovers how to use best practices from child development, attachment theory, trauma research, parenting styles, and advanced learning theory to foster trust, resilience, and cooperation in their canine companions. Reimagine Dog Training as Dog Parenting Traditional dog training often relies on dominance, obedience, and control—but modern science tells us there''s a better way. Tender Paws introduces the HEARTS framework, a holistic approach designed to help dogs thrive emotionally, behaviorally, and socially. Healing—understand how physical issues, trauma, and stress affect dog behavior and how to support recovery Enrichment—learn how to fulfill your dog''s cognitive and sensory needs Appropriate environment—create a home where your dog feels secure Respectful relationships—build a trusting and cooperative connection Teaching sensitively and positively—promote ideal learning with evidence-informed strategies Support the individual—tailor care to your unique dog''s temperament, history, and biology Far from a standard dog training manual, Tender Paws shows how and why to apply parenting best practices to diverse scenarios, such as: recognizing developmental trauma and unmet core needs, especially in rescue puppies and dogs making decisions about appropriate equipment, responding to difficult behavior, understanding the parenting style from which we approach our dogs. Full of heart-tugging, real-life stories, expert interviews, and practical tools, Tender Paws empowers you to understand your dog''s behavior through a new lens—one rooted in science, empathy, and connection. Helpful visuals and diagrams make it easier to decode signs of stress and find effective ways to help dogs thrive emotionally, behaviorally, and socially. What You''ll Learn The surprising similarities between raising children and raising dogs. How to apply principles from attachment theory and trauma-informed care to your dog. The importance of both nurture and structure for well-adjusted and emotionally healthy pets. How to avoid common mistakes that erode trust and increase anxiety. The HEARTS framework and tools to address behavioral challenges with kindness and science. Readers have described Tender Paws as a compassionate manifesto and a game changer. Recommended by animal behavior expert Temple Grandin as well as certified dog trainers and dog lovers alike, Tender Paws is winner of a Maxwell Medallion from the Dog Writers Association of America and finalist in the IAN Book of the Year Awards. Who This Book Is For New dog parents looking for humane training methods. Rescue dog adopters navigating behavioral challenges. Pet owners who want an easier approach to dog training Dog lovers who want a deeper emotional connection with their pets. Anyone interested in the intersection of psychology, behavior, and animal welfare. A groundbreaking guide to compassionate, holistic, evidence-informed dog parenting—perfect for anyone who wants to raise a happy, well-adjusted dog without fear, punishment, or outdated training methods.

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Book Synopsis‘A sensitive and poetic work, full of anecdote and poignant self-disclosure’ The Enquiring Eye ‘An enchanting celebration of eight restorative moments in nature’s cycle’ Caught by the River Nurture yourself through the turning seasons with the Wheel of the Year: an enchanting celebration of eight restorative moments in nature’s cycle – from solstices and equinoxes to those midpoints in-between. Let Rebecca Beattie – Wiccan priestess and nature lover – take you on a magical journey around the Wheel of the Year, from Imbolc, Beltane, Lammas and Samhain to the Spring Equinox, Midsummer, Autumn Equinox and Yule. Rooted in an appreciation of the rhythms of the seasons, every six weeks the Wheel of the Year allows us a moment to pause and still the chaos of modern life. This book is alive with what is happening in the ebb and flow of the natural world, helping us to connect with its rejuvenating power and offering rituals to celebrate each seasonal festival, its enchanting folklore and traditions. The Wheel of the Year will connect you to the turning of your personal seasons too, enabling you to chart your own moments of transition, reflection and healing alongside the changes in the outside world. Get to know your true inner self and rediscover wisdom and wonder as you start to live in step with nature.Trade ReviewAs heard on Lauren Laverne’s BBC Radio 6 ‘Supernature’ ‘A sensitive and poetic work, full of anecdote and poignant self-disclosure’ The Enquiring Eye ‘A wonderful read … a beautiful guide on how to connect with nature, with a dash of historical/societal reflection’ a Waterstones bookseller ‘A lovely volume, beautifully written and full of inspiring ways to develop a nature-based spiritual path’ A Bad Witch’s Blog ‘An enchanting celebration of eight restorative moments in nature’s cycle’ Caught by the River ‘This book will be of interest to many who appreciate nature and the changing seasons’ The Countryman The Bookseller – Editor’s Choice ‘It’s a book to help you connect with your world, the seasons and nature and to yourself’ Netgalley reader

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Trade Review"Along with stunning photos, the book also has helpful "care and training" basics…as well as amazing illustrations of canine anatomy and interesting dog-culture coverage of canine evolution, art, lore and history. An engrossing and entertaining book for the whole family to savor." – The Bark Magazine

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Book SynopsisPrepare for the pooches! Leap into the perfect combination of facts, stories, photos, and fun stuff all about one of the world’s most favorite animals—DOGS!Dogs are popular pets all over the world. They do just about everything with us: cuddle on couches, hike through the hills, and even sometimes sleep on our beds. And they come in all shapes and sizes, with breeds ranging from tiny toys to gargantuan giants. Dogs have been people’s constant companions for thousands of years, and there’s almost no end to the jobs they do for us. It’s no wonder we call dogs our best friends!For animal lovers who are absolutely obsessed with everything dogs, this book has it all: tons of mind-blowing facts; all the breeds; exciting games; hands-on activities; hilarious dog jokes; and fascinating research, such as whether dogs recognize themselves in the mirror.Key features include:Roundups of the coolest, most talented, incredible

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Book Synopsis*Shortlisted for the Lukas Prize Project*The tree was poached in a two-part operation. It was felled one night and taken another.Here was a murder mystery in the deep woods: who had taken the cedar, how had they done so, and - most importantly - why?__________A gripping account of the billion-dollar timber black market -- and how it intersects with environmentalism, class, and culture.In Tree Thieves, Lyndsie Bourgon takes us deep into the underbelly of the illegal timber market. As she traces three timber poaching cases, she introduces us to tree poachers, law enforcement, forensic wood specialists, the enigmatic residents of former logging communities, environmental activists, international timber cartels, and indigenous communities along the way.Old-growth trees are invaluable and irreplaceable for both humans and wildlife, and are the oldest living things on earth. But the morality of tree poaching is not as simple as we might think: stealing trees is a form of deeply rooted protest, and a side effect of environmental preservation and protection that doesn't include communities that have been uprooted or marginalized when park boundaries are drawn. As Bourgon discovers, failing to include working class and rural communities in the preservation of these awe-inducing ecosystems can lead to catastrophic results.Featuring excellent investigative reporting, fascinating characters, logging history, political analysis, and cutting-edge tree science, Tree Thieves takes readers on a thrilling journey into the intrigue, crime, and incredible complexity sheltered under the forest canopy.__________'Bourgon brilliantly shows that while following the scientific theory seems simple from a concrete jungle, for those educated under the shade of the trees it is obscure, often weaponized. Her unique insight in this book is that between the law and the science lies the chainsaw's edge.' -- London Review of BooksTrade Review'Tree Thieves is both an absorbing true-crime story and a fascinating examination of the deep and troubled relationship between people and forests. From Sherwood Forest to the California redwoods to the Peruvian Amazon, Lyndsie Bourgon illuminates the violent conflicts over power, class, and identity that continue to shape and scar the forests we depend on.' - Michelle Nijhuis, author of Beloved Beasts: Fighting for Life in an Age of Extinction'Tree Thieves is a deeply researched examination of the past, present, and future of our forests, told through stories of timber poaching. Lyndsie Bourgon shows us that we must take into account all the complexities of human-nature relationships if we are to have any hope of keeping our standing giants alive.' - Gina Rae La Cerva, author of Feasting Wild: In Search of the Last Untamed Food'Tracking thieves, poachers, and capitalists, Lyndsie Bourgon masterfully takes on the role of detective shining a light on the complex and camouflaged world of the timber black market. The result is a meticulous investigation and a powerful testimony to the trees silently taken and the consequences of their fall that reverberate well beyond the forest.' - Harley Rustad, Author of Lost in the Valley of Death: A Story of Obsession and Danger in the Himalayas'A fascinating blend of history and boots-in-the-mud journalism, which manages to dig into ancient and thorny questions about who really owns wild land and who is allowed to live off it. To poach of course means to steal. But is wilderness preservation also a form of theft, only on a larger scale? This book does what all great books should: it leaves your mind broader, deeper, and more nuanced.' -Robert Moor, bestselling author of On Trails: An ExplorationBourgon brilliantly shows that while following the scientific theory seems simple from a concrete jungle, for those educated under the shade of the trees it is obscure, often weaponized. Her unique insight in this book is that between the law and the science lies the chainsaw's edge. * London Review of Books *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE 'I loved this book... An exhilarating romp through Orwell's life and times' Margaret Atwood 'Outside my work the thing I care most about is gardening' George Orwell In 1936 Orwell planted roses at his cottage in Hertfordshire. Over eighty years later Rebecca Solnit encounters them, and is inspired to explore a different side to the great writer and activist to the one we know so well. Following his journey from the coal mines of England to taking up arms in the Spanish Civil War, and his explosive critiques of Stalin and authoritarianism, here Solnit finds a more hopeful Orwell. And in her dialogue with the author and his fascination with nature, she makes unexpected connections with the colonial legacy of the flower garden, discovers photographer Tina Modotti's extraordinary roses, and reveals Stalin's strange obsession with growing lemons in impossibly cold conditions. A fresh reading of a towering figure of the twentieth century, Orwell's Roses finds solace and solutions for the political and environmental challenges we face today, and is a remarkable reflection on pleasure, beauty, and joy as acts of resistance. 'Luminous...It is efflorescent, a study that seeds and blooms, propagates thoughts, and tends to historical associations' New Statesman 'A genuinely extraordinary mind, whose curiosity, intelligence and willingness to learn seem unbounded' Irish TimesTrade ReviewI loved this book, and so will many... an exhilarating romp through Orwell's life and times and also through the life and times of roses -- Margaret AtwoodThis book is brilliant because it is true, and because it rescues Orwell from a kind of dourness and seriousness, and gives him back his humanity and yes, his Englishness. -- James Rebanks, author of English Pastoral and The Shepherd's LifeI so loved this book. It unfolds like the petals of a rose - the political rose, the personal rose - and enacts its subject in the ethics of its beauty and the grace of its resistance -- Jay Griffiths, author of Why RebelWe all know what Orwell hated but Solnit pays attention to what he loved. Orwell's Roses is an ingeniously fresh and unpredictable take on his life and times, and the values he held dear -- Dorian LynskeyThere is nothing more political than a garden, and Rebecca Solnit brings Orwell's life and writing vividly alive through his quiet determination to love the surface of the earth. Orwell's Roses shows how intimately aesthetics is intertwined with ethics, and in doing so, Solnit has given us a truly beautiful book -- Alex Christofi, author of Dostoevsky in LoveThis an enchanting book, as powerful in its arguments as it is enjoyable to read. From a surprising close-up of George Orwell planting three Woolworth roses, Solnit pans to a bracing new vista of the man and his fierce political aesthetic, taking in the injustices of the rose industry and lying Soviet science as she goes. Brilliant -- Lisa AppignanesiThis elegant rambling rose of a book muses on Orwell with all Rebecca Solnit's luminous intelligence and trademark optimism. If "Orwellian" has become synonymous with darkness and oppression, she opens up his life affirming love of gardening, of wild nature and life's physical pleasure, his antidote to the grim puritanism of ideologues -- Polly ToynbeeA tribute by one fine essayist of the political left to another of an earlier generation... the great pleasure of reading [Solnit] is spending time with her mind, its digressions and juxtapositions, its unexpected connections. Only a few contemporary writers have the ability to start almost anywhere and lead the reader on paths that, while apparently meandering, compel unfailingly and feel, by the end, cosmically connected . .. The book provides a captivating account of Orwell as gardener, lover, parent, and endlessly curious thinker -- Claire Messud * Harper's Magazine *The green-fingered and the politically committed alike will want to curl up with this book as the gardening year draws to a close and we reflect on a time during which nature has been more of a solace than usual. * Observer *Elegantly light-footed and freewheeling... a marvellously bracing ramble that passes through a variety of intellectual terrain and physical landscapes * Daily Telegraph *Expansive and thought-provoking... In the hands of a skilled novelist or essayist like Solnit, biography becomes something else entirely * Independent *Idiosyncratic, immensely original work * i paper *Luminous ... part biography, part memoir, a historical and cultural analysis and a work of literary criticism, Solnit's book is a love letter in prose to those roses, to Orwell and to the enduring relevance of his ethical sensibility. It is efflorescent, a study that seeds and blooms, propagates thoughts, and tends to historical associations * New Statesman *The book itself, like petals of a rose unfurling, conveys hope for a better future... a genuinely exceptional mind, whose curiosity, intelligence and willingness to learn seem unbounded * Irish Times *An absorbing read for those with interests in politics and gardening alike * Sunday Telegraph *An entertaining ramble through the author's life and Solnit's consciousness... this rhizomatic exercise yields great blooms * Big Issue *Solnit makes us rethink "Orwellian" to mean not just what he was against but what he was for - nature. Her brilliant essays give colour back to an author we often think of as grey * Daily Telegraph *This hybrid volume blossoms with... insights, non sequiturs and epiphanies -- Margaret Drabble * TLS *A pleasing meditation on the small pleasures and intricate beauties of nature, and a book to see you through to spring -- Books of the year * The Times and Sunday Times *Wonderful and moving... Fine and thoughtful * Spectator *

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