Trees, wildflowers and plants: general interest Books

Book Synopsis'A superb naturalist and writer.'CHRIS PACKHAM'From Stone Age remains to modern day skyscrapers, Stephen Moss takes us on an exhilarating journey through place and time, providing a fascinating insight into nature's relationship with environments created by man.' DR MYA-ROSE CRAIG (BIRDGIRL) Welcome to The Accidental Countryside.This is the fascinating and remarkably empowering story of our influence upon the landscape and wildlife of these crowded islands, and of how wildlife has co-opted its most unlikely corners - even when we least expected it.From the seabirds sheltering in the prehistoric stone structures of Shetland to the peat diggings in Somerset teeming with life, and from the rare insects hidden in Belfast's docklands to the falcons that make London's Shard their home, Stephen Moss reveals the unexpected oases which foster the crucial links in the chain that bind the natural world together.

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Book SynopsisMaking a haven for wildlife doesn’t require acres of land in the countryside. If you get the habitat and planting right, then even the tiniest of urban gardens can host a variety of creatures from birds and bees to hedgehogs.Covering everything from going organic to making a pond and turning your green space into a wildlife haven – this book is for gardeners who want to apply a more holistic approach to gardening and create their own urban sanctuary. Through a collection of simple projects that can be easily adapted for a variety of gardens and planting guides, this book will help you to re-connect with natural world on your own doorstep.Jane Moore will draw on her 16 years of experience of creating an urban sanctuary in the heart of the city as she lays out the simple ways in which you can approach making even the smallest patch of land a haven for wildlife, great or small.

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Book SynopsisSeasonality is an uplifting look at British wildlife through the seasons of the year, but it is also about our relationship with that wildlife. The author, a keen and passionate naturalist, takes us on a journey through spring, summer, autumn and winter, and on this journey we look at how our wildlife lives throughout the year, how it adapts and changes as necessary. The author shares how wildlife makes him feel, how he derives joy and a sense of well-being from the wildlife he sees and describes. But he also shares his frustration at how some of our actions and land management impact on our increasingly pressurised wildlife. It shares the delight of watching birds in the garden, fox cubs in the countryside and peregrines in the city. It shares the sadness of seeing stuffed examples of extinct birds, the anger at the mismanagement of potentially wildlife-rich hedgerows, and the confusion and contradiction of the management of our so-called natural spaces. It is a book of delights and frustrations, but above all hope and celebration. Whether it is the flash of bright yellow butterfly wings signalling that spring has arrived, the slicing of the air by sickle-shaped swifts telling us that summer has come, the wonderful show of colour that the leaves of trees display in the autumn, or the deep-throated chuckle of fieldfares gleaning berries in the winter, the seasons are full of life and this book describes them in vivid detail. The role of the seasons in our own lives may have diminished, but for wildlife the seasons are everything, they are the framework within which everything happens. Seasonality is your guide, through a naturalist’s eyes and thoughts, to the incredible journey of the four seasons. The seasons of the year roll on regardless, an endless cycle that dictates the rhythm of life.

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Book SynopsisAs climate change erodes the familiar pattern of the seasons, we turn instinctively to the life cycles of herbaceous plants to guide us through the year. The growing, flowering, seeding and dying back of wild flowers, weeds, herbs and garden perennials sustain and enrich our lives. Herbaceous is a journey which follows the colour pulse of plants through the year, looking for the new and emerging rhythms. Beginning with the bright yellow, followed by the vernal whites of spring and the pinks of summer, the blues of early autumn and finally the browns of seeds set as winter comes. Herbaceous is gardening with words - asking us to look again at our relationship with plants and celebrates their power to nourish our spirits.Trade Review"The John Clare of his generation" The Guardian; "...his pieces are intensely local, full of cloud and light, breezy." John Vidal

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Book SynopsisWhen Anna's stepfather Caleb is arrested, she must prove his innocenceby finding a lost whaling ship. But without a map, only migratingbirds and whales can show the way . . .

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Book SynopsisWe often imagine that rarity is special - we seek out the most uncommon wild plants to tick off our lists, while overlooking the extraordinary appeal of the species we encounter day-to-day. Yet it's these plants -the most successful, able to adapt and thrive - which are truly fascinating. Botanist, writer and expert gardener Ken Thompson has set out to chart Britain's fifty most abundant wild plants and reveal the secrets of their success. He explores the roots of their common names, from the dog rose to Yorkshire fog, and explains the key traits that have led them to flourish across Britain. And, along the way, he shares his tricks for making your garden a haven for green life. Stunningly illustrated by Sarah Abbott, Common or Garden is a celebration of the everyday wonder of the plants that you can see, as Thompson enthuses, 'before you even have lunch'Trade ReviewBeing common is actually 'a rare and rather exceptional quality' ... We should value these familiar plants, Thompson writes, because they are the ones we have learnt to use as medicines, in cookery and incorporate into folklore. This charming books zips along at a breakneck pace, much enhanced by Sarah Abbott's jaunty illustrations * Daily Mail *A beautifully illustrated spotter's guide to Britain's most successful wild plants * Countryside *

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Book SynopsisPascal Baudar is a culinary visionary...I am in awe of this book. Get ready to be inspired. Sandor Ellix Katz, author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Art of Fermentation The perfect DIY guide to make your own fermented hot sauce, wild green pesto, plant-based cheese and so much more! Professional forager Pascal Baudar expanded the wild food frontier with his path breaking works, The New Wildcrafted Cuisine and The Wildcrafting Brewer. Now the acclaimed “culinary alchemist” combines his curiosity, research and in-depth understanding of terroir to put forth recipes that explore root-to-stem fermentation of wild ingredients in his latest book on foraging. In Wildcrafted Fermentation, Pascal Baudar describes in detail how to create rich, flavourful foods at home from the wild and cultivated plants in your local area or garden. Baudar includes more than 100 easy-to-follow, plant-based, vegan-friendly recipes: Fennel sauerkraut Wild food kimchi A section on fermenting mushrooms Fermented leaf chips Fermented wild greens pesto Fermented hot sauce Dehydrated spice blends Plant-based cheeses and so much more! The recipes are accompanied by step-by-step photos illustrating foraging, preparation and fermentation techniques for both wild and cultivated plants. For foodies, foragers, fermentation enthusiasts and adventurous home cooks alike, Wildcrafted Fermentation is an indispensable field-to-kitchen guide to crafting cuisine unique to you and your environment. Trade ReviewBooklist— “Baudar’s genial voice guides readers through his preferred methods and conveys his passion for this process, followed by explorations into local, wild ingredients and the ways they can be used. Not every ingredient used is wild, and the 100-plus recipes include room for ingredient variation according to what is available in the reader”s region.”“Pascal Baudar is a culinary visionary who is also excellent at clearly explaining his ideas and methods to make them accessible. I am in awe of this book as well as his two earlier ones. Get ready to be inspired.”—Sandor Ellix Katz, author of Wild Fermentation and The Art of Fermentation“Wildcrafted Fermentation is an amazing, passion-based work! Looking outside at the snow-covered ground, I’m more eager than ever for the return of musk mustards, lamb’s quarters, and other wild plants to add to ferments. And I especially appreciate the use of the Latin names for plants and the cheerful and repeated reassurances that nothing can go wrong—just what a nervous fermenter wants to hear. This is a stunning book.”—Deborah Madison, author of Vegetable Literacy and The New Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone“Pascal Baudar is back. His distinctive approach to wildcrafting is enhanced this time by connecting wild plants to the transformative power of lactic acid fermentation. In doing so, Pascal elevates commonly found roots, shoots, seeds, weeds, and leaves to foods with astounding flavors. He encourages the reader to explore the ‘flavorshed’ of their own region while understanding how to responsibly be part of their local ecology. The book is exciting, creative, and beautiful. Perhaps more importantly, it offers inspiring, adaptable recipes that employ solid and safe techniques. It is a must-have for both foragers and fermentation enthusiasts.”—Kirsten Shockey, coauthor of Fermented Vegetables, Fiery Ferments, and Miso, Tempeh, Natto and Other Tasty Ferments“With a rare combination of humility and wisdom, Baudar shares his deep immersion into the seam between wild foods and fermentation so that we all may embark on or enhance our own exploration of these lost arts. Risks of error deter many people from attempting either wild food harvesting or home ferments, but Baudar puts all of our instinctive concerns in perspective, cautioning us to follow some basic rules and encouraging us not be afraid to experiment. “My favorite recipe titles include Fermented Forest Floor Paste and Roasted Oak Bark Hot Sauce. Those who doubt the utility of his innovative creations need look only at the earth around them. The possibilities, as he suggests, are limited only by the eye (and palate) of the beholder.”—Evan Mallett, chef/owner, Black Trumpet bistro; author of Black TrumpetTable of ContentsIntroduction: Discovering Fermentation 1. Fermentation Basics 2. Getting Started: Exploring Your Local Terroir 3. Exploring Local and Ethnic Flavors 4. Going Deeper into Local Ingredients 5. Fermenting with the Environment 6. Foraged and Fermented Soups, Pastes, Spreads, and Sauces 7. Wilder Cheeses 8. Creative Dishes and Plating Resources Recipe Index Index

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Book SynopsisThe Great Wood of Caledon - the historic native forest of Highland Scotland - has a reputation as potent and misleading as the wolves that ruled it. The popular image is of an impassable, sun-snuffing shroud, a Highlandswide jungle infested by wolf, lynx, bear, beaver, wild white cattle, wild boar, and wilder painted men. Jim Crumley shines a light into the darker corners of the Great Wood, to re-evaluate some of the questionable elements of its reputation, and to assess the possibilities of its partial resurrection into something like a national forest. The book threads a path among relict strongholds of native woodland, beginning with a soliloquy by the Fortingall Yew, the one tree in Scotland that can say of the hey-day of the Great Wood 5,000 years ago: 'I was there.' The journey is enriched by vivid wildlife encounters, a passionate and poetic account that binds the slow dereliction of the past to an optimistic future.Trade Review'An acclaimed nature writer and wildlife expert… with a deep knowledge… His prose style is exquisite and his approach to his subject matter is pleasingly literary' * Herald *'Crumley gives unique insight into the rich history of this land' * Scottish Field *'An engaging read' * BBC Wildlife Magazine *

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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 SynopsisAn exuberant tale of craftsmanship for nature lovers and rugged outdoor types everywhereRobert Penn cut down an ash tree to see how many things could be made from it. After all, ash is the tree we have made the greatest and most varied use of over the course of human history. Journeying from Wales across Europe and Ireland to the USA, Robert finds that the ancient skills and knowledge of the properties of ash, developed over millennia making wheels and arrows, furniture and baseball bats, are far from dead. The book chronicles how the urge to understand and appreciate trees still runs through us all like grain through wood.Trade ReviewThere is no greater debt than that which mankind owes to trees, and Robert Penn proves this brilliantly - a highly readable account of the multitude of uses one single ash tree can provide -- Lars Mytting, author of 'Norwegian Wood'Beautifully crafted, [The Man Who Made Things Out of Trees ranges] freely over intellectual territory - masculinity, nostalgia, identity . . . Fascinating . . . Never have the benefits of getting your chopper out appeared more obvious -- Robert Crampton, Books of the Year * The Times *The appeal of Robert Penn's enchanting narrative extends far beyond tree enthusiasts, woodworkers and fanatic loggers like me. It is a book-lover's feast. Penn's wonderful prose and compelling research put The Man who Made Things out of Trees right up there in the league with such classics as John McPhee's The Survival of the Bark Canoe -- Rinker Buck, New York Times bestselling author of 'The Oregon Trail'This book is bound for great things -- Sophie Morris * Independent *Penn is a fine writer, and the mix of research, reportage and personal reflection is persuasive . . . A lovely book -- Ed Cumming * Observer *[An] extended tribute to the beauty and usefulness of the ash tree... A homage to vanishing skills that were once integral to the functioning of rural Britain -- Tom Fort * Literary Review *A beautifully figured and multicolored ode to our love affair with the invaluable Ash tree. I swooned. Penn's paean to the many uses of the Ash is so well-wrought that I am compelled to take up hurling -- Nick OffermanThere's a bit of a wood theme this year, in fact, with ... Robert Penn's The Man Who Made Things Out of Trees. One can't help but wonder if all these books encouraging self-reliance and back-to-nature are signs of impending apocalypse -- Ian Sansom, 'Books of the Year' * Guardian *A eulogy to the importance of ash throughout human history . . . Fascinating -- Tobias Jones * Guardian *I was completely smitten . . . [A] delightful, page-turning love letter to an often-overlooked material -- Grant Gibson * Craft Magazine *Often wry and always interesting . . . A passionate love letter to the ash tree -- Harry Wallop * Daily Telegraph *A delight to read . . . Penn's writing is poetic . . . [The Man Who Made Things Out of Trees] speaks to the quality of the human experience, of craftwork and making things by hand, of appreciating resourcefulness and natural beauty -- Nathalie Spencer * RSA *This book is a great pleasure to read . . . I defy anyone to read this and not want their own collection of natural and unique objects to connect our daily lives back to the natural woodland which once covered the country * Royal Geographical Society *

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Book SynopsisIdentifying wildlife in Britain and Ireland is quick and easy with this complete practical field guide to the animals, plants, and fungi of the British Isles.The pocket-sized format means Pocket Nature Wildlife of Britain and Ireland is perfectly portable and ideal for slipping into your rucksack while rambling, or popping into the glove compartment for trips further afield. Packed with in-situ photography and text written by wildlife experts, this indispensable book covers everything from trees, wild flowers, and fungi to wild animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects.The key features of this beautiful book to British and Irish wildlife includes: - Close-up photography shows key details and highlights distinguishing features, making it easy to identify species.- Each entry includes at-a-glance facts for quick reference.- Simple graphics provide information on scale and silhouette shape to aid quick identification.-Distribution maps provide a quick and easy guide to the best areas to spot each speciesThis nature book is organized into groups that are easily understood and recognized by the complete novice. Coverage is comprehensive, with more than 1,000 species included. Each entry comprises a prominent photo of the subject for identification, supporting photos that show important details or variations, and a data panel to summarize key facts consistently. A simple text profile picks out the most useful details to aid accurate identification and provides interesting background information. Maps show you where you can expect to find a species, so you can plan your spotting and make the most of your surroundings, whether you are on a holiday browse or serious quest.From the Hummingbird Hawk-moth to the False Deathcap fungus, Pocket Nature Wildlife of Britain and Ireland is the ideal family guide to wildlife in the British Isles.

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Book SynopsisLynne Boddy is professor of fungal ecology at Cardiff University. She has authored two academic books and a children's book for DK. In 2019, she was awarded an MBE for Services to Mycology and science outreach, and in 2021, she won the Arboricultural Association Award. Lynne has appeared on BBC's Deep Down and Dirty: the Science of Soil, and other TV shows. Ali Ashby is a fungal biologist and director of a life sciences consultancy company in Cambridge. She is a former Royal Society University Research Fellow. Ali is a member of the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), the British Mycological Society (BMS) and coordinated the national BMS UK Fungus Day in 2013.

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Book SynopsisThe weird and wonderful lifestyle of orchids, the most diverse and widespread of plant families, featuring stunning artwork by the Bauers, Sydney Parkinson, Arthur Church and more.Trade Review"Botanist and writer Sandra Knapp… confesses to having been both ‘fascinated and slightly repelled’ by orchids, put off by this garishly dressed family—the second largest in the world with over 30,000 species. But the sweep, intelligence and research on display in Extraordinary Orchids, a lavish, oversize volume, will surely push the reluctant closer to admiration." Wall Street Journal

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Book SynopsisAn authoritative and detailed encyclopedia of trees, with a scientific introduction and fully illustrated throughout.

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Book SynopsisLearn more about the beautiful trees around you with this identification guide, perfect for beginners, featuring over 150 common British and European species.If you want to know the difference between a Serbian spruce and a silver birch or how different trees change through the seasons then What''s that Tree? is the ideal guide for you. Species overviews show you what to look for where and related trees are shown side by side for quick comparison and identification.Clear photography of leaves will help you to directly compare the tree you''re looking at with those in the guide and will assist you with specific features of the leaf to help identify the tree. This quick-reference guide also includes information on bark, flowers, and seeds.The perfect pocket guide for beginners but also a handy reference for the more seasoned naturalist, What''s that Tree? will help you to become an expert tree-spotter in no time.

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Book SynopsisFor millennia, trees have offered renewal and inspiration.  They have provided for humanity on every level, from spiritual sanctuary to the raw material for our homes, books, and food. In this beautiful and revealing book, National Geographic combines legendary photography with cutting-edge science to illuminate exactly how trees influence the life of planet Earth—from our personal lives to the weather cycle. Beautifully illustrated essays tell the stories of the world’s most remarkable trees, from Tane Mahura in New Zealand, the ancient Maori 'lord of the forest,' to Pando, a single aspen spreading over 100 acres: Earth’s largest living thing. You’ll also discover how an astronaut carried tree seeds to the moon and back; the reason 'microdosing' on tree gas is a sure way to boost your immune system; and why playing in the dirt boosts serotonin, happiness hormone.   For nature and science enthusiasts, as well as phot

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Book SynopsisMushrooms are loved, despised, feared and misunderstood. They have been a familiar part of nature throughout human history and occupy a special place in our consciousness. Now in paperback, Mushrooms introduces the mythology and science of the spectacular array of fungi that produce mushrooms, the history of our interactions with these curious and beautiful organisms, and the ways that humans use mushrooms as food, medicine and recreational drugs. Mushrooms release so many spores into the atmosphere that they may affect local weather conditions and promote rainfall. Poisonous mushrooms were described by classical writers and edible species were important in Roman cuisine. Mushrooms became the objects of scientific study in the seventeenth century. Pioneers of mushroom science have included paragons of eccentricity, and their remarkable stories are celebrated in this book.Trade Review"A fascinating tour around the weird world of mushrooms and of the people who study them. As a botanist I learned a lot about the natural world from the different perspective of these familiar yet obscure organisms."-- "Roland Ennos, University of Hull" "A well written, authoritative, and beautifully illustrated account of mushroom life and lore, leavened with humor. An ideal introduction to the most beautiful members of nature's least understood kingdom."-- "Richard Fortey FRS, author of Life: An Unauthorised Biography" "An excellent introductory textbook for a budding mycologist, or an attractive gift for a mushroom enthusiast. The book is superbly and colorfully illustrated, with many useful diagrams spread over sixteen chapters including mushroom superstition, evolution, ecology, poisons, and conservation."-- "Oxveg News" "I found it an easy read and devoured it in a single day. This will make a great present for the general naturalist as well as a diverting read for a long flight for the mycologist--especially at such a reasonable price for a hardback book today!"-- "IMA Fungus (Journal of the International Mycological Association)" "Money tells a riveting tale, based in fact, fiction, folkloric, and science to present a delightful introduction to a . . . very little understood aspect of Mother Nature."-- "Blue Wolf Reviews" "This book is simply amazing! It's a great read, and absolutely bursting--like an over-ripe puff-ball--with a marvelous mix of mushroom information."--Nigel Chaffey, Bath Spa University "Botany One" "Addressed to nature enthusiasts, Mushrooms is a perfect introduction to the kingdom of fungi. Each of the sixteen chapters is dedicated to a theme, ranging from Mushroom Science to Mushroom Superstition. Did you know that there is an Einstein of mycology? His name is A.H. Reginald Buller and his Researches on Fungi is considered the bible of mycology. Or that the largest organism in the world is a tangled web of hyphae that radiates for over 10 square km through a conifer forest in Oregon? Mushrooms addresses these questions and many more. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this little gem and recommend it to anyone interested in the world of mushrooms."-- "Economic Botany" "In Mushrooms, one gets an introduction into this fascinating world of fungi and a few highlights of the personalities of those who study them. The text is well organized for readers with little or no biology background, and it is also well written. . . . Overall, it is a how-to guide for the beginner studying mushrooms, and presents basic information on the biology and construction of fungi. This is enhanced by good illustrations using both modern photographs and also those derived from classic works. . . . Recommended."-- "Choice" "Money has done it again! Mushrooms is a masterful overview of mycology, written with clarity, wit, and affection. There simply is no better review of the subject out there. Mycophiles and gardeners--really, anyone who seeks to understand nature in a deeper way--will appreciate this excellent book. I know I do."-- "Eugenia Bone, author of Mycophilia: Revelations From the Weird World of Mushrooms" "Queer things, these mushrooms. The people who study them--mycologists--can be pretty interesting too. One used to walk to work wearing horse blinkers to preserve his eyes for his experiments on bioluminescent mushrooms. Another tested the edibility of every mushroom in his book, One Thousand American Fungi. 'As paragons of eccentricity, these individuals are peerless, ' writes Money, a US professor of botany, who has produced a fascinating read."-- "Organic Gardener (Australia)" "With his characteristically smart and sassy wit, Money guides us through the science of fungi but also tackles cultural themes less often explored by mycologists, including the contentious terrains of psychedelic fungi, their simmering histories of superstition, and the dubious undercurrents of the medicinal mushroom industry. Money delights in debunking fungal myths and misunderstandings. . . . Informative, entertaining, and at times provocative, Mushrooms combines science, cultural histories, and personal anecdotes in an inviting introduction for the novice venturing into fungal realms."--Alison Pouliot "Australian Garden History"

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Book Synopsis40 full colour beautiful botanical paintingsWritten by renowned experts Artists' commentary throughoutThe paintings demonstrate the art of painting trees, from representing the whole tree, to painting details, often at different stages through the year

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Book SynopsisFascinating and richly illustrated stories of flowers for every day of the year. Every day of the year a different species of flower bursts into bloom somewhere in the world. This collection of 366 flowers reveals not only their beauty but the fascinating botanical, literary, folkloric and historical stories behind them. Discover the magnificent magnolia, which evolved more than 95 million years ago at the time of dinosaurs, and the specific perfumed rose that covers the land around Grasse in France. Read about the powerful medicinal elements of the Manuka bush flowers and the inspiration behind William Wordsworth's 'host of golden daffodils'. Here are also the cheerful Mexican marigolds bedecking urban graveyards, delicate cherry or sakura blossoming along Japanese avenues, spectacular tropical vines hanging in the Philippine rainforest and flamboyant wildflowers carpeting meadows across Europe, showcasing the amazing variety of the natural world. Illustrated with stunning photographs and works of art, this collection is a celebration of flowers and their special place in both the natural world and our culture.Trade Review‘This is such a lovely read and full of amazing plant facts for the plant obsessed… Like me!’ Frances Tophill 'An extraordinary beautiful and informative compendium of some of nature's most gorgeous temptresses' Joe Lycett 'I just love the simple discipline of dipping in and learning something new every day' Liz Earle Wellbeing ‘An inspiring collection of 366 flowers’ BBC Wildlife ’Varied and entertaining … the perfect book to dip into daily’ The Chatty Gardener ‘It would make a lovely present for anyone who loves flowers’ Urban Bees Both an enjoyable read and full of interesting facts … Miranda … knows her plants and weaves fascinating stories around them.’ The Middle-Sized Garden ‘Beautiful blooms for every day of the year’ Choice ‘One of the most beautiful botanical books of our time’ Potting Bench ‘Charming’ Naomi Slade, Garden News

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisA beautifully illustrated guide to the marvellous and varied world of trees, and a fascinating introduction to the hidden secrets of 52 British species. Botanist and ecologist Ros Bennett has spent a lifetime helping people understand and identify plants and always hoped her daughter Nell would grow up to share her love of the natural world.During Nell's childhood years they spent much time exploring the local woods together. Here, Nell discovered the visual and tactile beauty of trees.In Tree-spotting, Ros and Nell have combined their backgrounds and talents to show you – through Ros's extensive experience and Nell's exquisite illustrations – how to identify 52 British trees simply and confidently.A beautiful and captivating insight into the wonderful world of trees, Tree-spotting burrows down into the history and hidden secrets of each species. It explores how our relationship with trees can be very personal, and will bring you closer to the natural world around you.

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Book SynopsisScottish Wild Flowers - Pocket Edition, is an ideal pocket-size guide to over 350 plant species found throughout Scotland. Packed full of information, is a convenient guide for both visitors and residents of Scotland who wish to learn about the fascinating wealth of wild flowers that can be found there. Each species is illustrated in full colour with a comprehensive description, plus the plant's English, Latin and Gaelic names. For ease of use, the plants are grouped together by the type of habitat in which they can be found, including Highlands, Lowlands and Coasts. Habitats are arranged from those most influenced by humans, progressing towards wilder and more remote areas. The book includes a section with up-to-date details about places of interest and the best sites for finding some of the most attractive and special species of wild flowers in Scotland.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Wildlife of Australia is a decent introduction to the most popular and easily seen mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs of the continent, and its casually written style makes it both informative and enjoyable. Whether on a first visit to Australia, returning on a casual vacation or simply enjoying armchair birding from around the world, this guide can be a useful addition to a birder's library or field bag."--Melissa Mayntz, About.com Birding/Wild Birds "We loved this pocket guide to the Wildlife of Australia and the authors and publishers are to be congratulated on producing such a high quality, genuine pocket book that is jam-packed with information. If you are heading down under, make sure you take this book with you."--Alan Davies and Ruth Miller, Biggest Twitch "[T]he emphasis is on the creatures a visitor is most likely to see in or near the major tourist regions. The text is concise but detailed and the images are uniformly excellent. I was able to use them without difficulty to identify the animals, and particularly the many birds I had photographed on my various trips to Australia. This book will certainly accompany me on my next visit."--AnthonyToole, Shvoong.com "If space or weight are an issue on your travels, then this would be the one guide to take with you."--Jim Morgan, Birding Frontiers "Anyone who likes wildlife and is planning a visit to Australia should have this book."--FHB, Wildlife Activist "The text is well written and informative giving salient points of identification and range. The photos are good quality portraits taken by 16 photographers."--Roy John, Canadian Field Naturalist "While the book is obviously designed for tourists ... it may well also appeal and be useful to local beginner naturalists or children with an interest in fauna."--Judy Smith, CorellaTable of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments 3 Vegetation Associations of Australia 4 Habitats 6 Mammals 26 Birds 54 Amphibians 258 Reptiles 262 Abbreviations 276 Glossary 277 Further Reading 279 Photo Credits 280 Index 281

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Book SynopsisIn Walking with Trees, Glennie Kindred takes us on an intimate and profoundly connecting walk with thirteen of our native trees. She leads us into their worlds and opens our hearts to their wonders, their qualities and their potential to heal. This is a book about relationships and inter-relationships: Our relationship with the trees, their relationships with each other and with the natural world around them, and the flow of our communal relationship, past and present, which affects us all as the web of life on Earth. Illustrated with the authors exquisite pencil drawings, Glennie's passion for trees is infectious, and inspires us to look more closely, listen more intently and walk with trees more often. She shares her stories and encounters with trees and weaves together many ways to deepen our engagement with them, from growing them, harvesting and using them for medicine, food, and craftwork. She also encourages us to find our way into a more subtle and intuitive relationship with the trees, as part of our journey to heal our fractured relationship with the Earth. As with all of Glennie's books, the seasonal cycles and the Earth festivals are interwoven and provide further ways to deepen our journey with trees. This is a book about possibilities, for those who care for our environment. This is a book that reminds you of what you might have missed or forgotten, and reminds you of your power. This is a book of our time, where we recognise our deep interconnectivity with the trees, with all of life and with the Earth herself. It inspires us to open our arms and hearts wide, and joyfully embrace the changes.

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Book SynopsisThe ideal gift for gardeners - discover more than 15,000 beautiful plants and learn how to successfully grow each one with this definitive planting guide now in its fully updated 4th edition. The RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants has been compiled by an unrivalled team of over 70 plant experts led by Chris Brickell, the former Director General of the Royal Horticultural Society and a globally renowned plantsman. This latest edition of the world''s most comprehensive garden plant encyclopedia has undergone the greatest update since its first publication, with more than 5,000 new entries added and 6,000 superb images featuring fresh new photography. Whether you''re looking for inspiration for an unusual new flowering plant to grow, want to identify an amazing orchid you''ve seen, or need to find out how to keep alive the cactus you''ve been gifted - the A-Z is bound to have the answer.Trade ReviewAn ideal gift for any gardener * The Garden *The ultimate plant guide for gardeners...Unrivalled in authority and range...The only garden reference encyclopaedia you'll ever need...The definitive reference guide for every gardener * RTE Guide *Table of Contents 1: Foreword 1: HOW TO USE THE ENCYCLOPEDIA 1: Page and text elements 2: Understanding hardiness 3: Care under glass 4: Pruning groups 5: Propagation techniques 2: BOTANY FOR THE GARDENER 1: The plant kingdom 2: The life of a plant 3: Leaves 4: Flowers 3: THE A-Z PLANT DIRECTORY 1: Glossary 2: Acknowledgements

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Book SynopsisOliver Sacks is a physician and the author of many books, including The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, Awakenings (which inspired the Oscar-nominated film) and Musicophilia. Born in London and educated at Oxford, he held positions at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine and was Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at Columbia University. He is the first, and only, Columbia University Artist, and is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. In 2008, he was appointed Commander of the British Empire. His memoir, On the Move, was published shortly before his death in August 2015.Trade ReviewLike all the best journals, it has a rich immediacy . . . the book is a rare treat. * Globe and Mail *Sacks’s boundless curiosity is always a reward. * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisA beautiful, timeless gift for hikers, walkers, and tree lovers, this illustrated edition of the New York Times bestseller The Hidden Life of Trees takes readers on an unforgettable visual journey.In his international bestseller The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben opened readers’ eyes to the amazing processes at work in forests every day. Now this new, breathtakingly illustrated edition brings those wonders to life like never before.With compelling, abridged selections from the original book and stunning, large-format photographs of trees from around the world, this gorgeous volume distills the essence of Wohlleben’s message to show trees in all their glory and diversity. Through rich language highlighting the interconnectedness of forest ecosystems, the book offers fascinating insights about the fungal communication highway known as the “wood wide web,” the difficult life lessons learned in tree school, the hard-working natural cleanup crews that recycle dying trees, and much more. Beautiful images provide the perfect complement to Wohlleben’s words, with striking close-ups of bark and seeds, panoramas of vast expanses of green, and a unique look at what is believed to be the oldest tree on the planet.Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki InstituteTrade ReviewFor The Hidden Life of Trees (original edition): “The matter-of-fact Mr. Wohlleben has delighted readers and talk-show audiences alike with the news—long known to biologists—that trees in the forest are social beings.”—Sally McGrane, The New York Times“This fascinating book will intrigue readers who love a walk through the woods.”—Publishers Weekly“If you read this book, I believe that forests will become magical places for you, too.”—Tim Flannery“In this spirited exploration, [Wohlleben] guarantees that readers will never look at these life forms in quite the same way again.”—Library Journal“A paradigm-smashing chronicle of joyous entanglement that will make you joyously acknowledge your own entanglement in the ancient and ever-new web of being.”—Charles Foster, author of Being a Beast: Adventures Across the Species Divide“Soon after we begin to recognize trees for what they are—gigantic beings thriving against incredible odds for hundreds of years—we naturally come to ask, 'How do they do it?' This charming book tells how—not as a lecture, more like a warm conversation with a favorite friend.”—Hope Jahren, author of Lab Girl“A powerful reminder to slow down and tune into the language of nature.”—Rachel Sussman, author of The Oldest Living Things in the World“Charming, provocative, fascinating. In the tradition of Jean-Henri Fabre and other great naturalist story-tellers, Wohlleben relates imaginative, enthralling tales of ecology.”—David George Haskell, author of The Forest Unseen, Pulitzer finalist“Wohlleben’s book is at once romantic and scientific, beautifully articulating his personal relationship with the trees he has dedicated his life to. His view of the forest calls on us all to reevaluate our relationships with the plant world.”—Daniel Chamovitz, PhD, author of What a Plant Knows“With colorful and engaging descriptions of little-known phenomena in our natural world, Wohlleben helps readers appreciate the exciting processes at work in the forests around them.”—Dr. Richard Karban, University of California, Davis, author of Plant Sensing and Communication“You will never look at a tree the same way after reading Peter Wohlleben’s The Hidden Life of Trees, which reveals the mind-boggling properties and behavior of these terrestrial giants. Read this electrifying book, then go out and hug a tree—with admiration and gratitude.”—David Suzuki“Peter Wohlleben’s book explores trees in a unique way and gives them almost humanlike qualities as he describes their communication methods, solidarity, and teamwork ...The Hidden Life of Trees isn’t just about trees, it’s about how to be a good human.” —The Book Nook“A superb fusion of images and ideas, all dedicated to proclaiming the message that trees, and the forests of which they form a surprisingly interconnected part, are far more remarkable than most of us ever previously dreamt.” —The Well-Read Naturalist“Peter Wohlleben’s The Hidden Life of Trees received a makeover.” —Quench“If trees could speak our language, they’d put their voices together urging everyone to take time to read through Peter Wohlleben’s new illustrated edition of The Hidden Life of Trees.”—Planet Experts

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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 SynopsisBestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Wohlleben, invites you to reconnect with natureAs soon as we step out of the door, nature surrounds. Thousands of small and large processes are taking place, details that are long often fascinating and beautiful. But we've long forgotten how to recognise them.Peter Wohlleben, bestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees, invites us to become an expert, to take a closer look and interpret the signs that clouds, wind, plants and animals convey. Chaffinches become weather prophets, bees are live thermometers, courgettes tell us the time.The Weather Detective combines scientific research with charming anecdotes to explain the extraordinary cycles of life, death and regeneration that are evolving on our doorstep, bringing us closer to nature than ever before. A walk in the park will never be the same again.Trade ReviewThe best weather detectives are the birds, plants and animals we share this fragile world with. But how many of us nowadays can interpret the clues they offer? Peter Wohlleben delves deep into the mysteries of animal and bird behaviour, soil management, plant adaptation, and ways of mitigating the effects of climate change on our gardens and our planet. * Christopher Somerville, walking correspondent for The Times. Author of The January Man *Wohlleben’s insightful observations of nature, combined with his signature blend of science and imagination, invite us into deeper relationship with the ecology of our homes * David George Haskell, Pulitzer finalist and author of The Forest Unseen and The Songs of Trees *For a society increasingly distanced from nature, Wohlleben renews our appreciation of the wonderful and varied ties between the living and nonliving worlds, including those that bind our favorite plants and animals with that most familiar of all physical entities, the weather * Bill Streever, nationally bestselling author of Cold *[A] fascinating book * Daily Mail *A treasure trove of fascinating information about the environment. A primer for the curious gardener... a book to browse and then think to yourself, 'Oh, so that's why.' * Town and Country magazine *

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Book SynopsisA celebratory compendium of nature's weirdest and most wonderful fungi, with gorgeously illustrated profiles of notable mushrooms and information on foraging, understanding, and appreciating these magnificent living thingsFor amateur mycologists and experienced foragers alike, this delightful guide acts as a welcome to the wonderful world of mushrooms. From the most common and recognizable varieties frequently found in your supermarket aisle or backyard to the rarest, most fantastical offerings that look straight out of a fairytale illustration and everything in between, This Is a Book for People Who Love Mushrooms is a carefully researched, whimsically illustrated primer on a subject that naturalists are discovering more about each year. Accessible to enthusiasts of all levels, it is the perfect gift for the mushroom lover in your life.

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Book SynopsisAmong the first titles published in 1978, with more than 150,000 copies in print in three editions, Japanese Maples is a Timber Press classic. Japanese maples are unlike any other tree. They boast a remarkable diversity of color, form, and texture. As a result of hundreds of years of careful breeding, they take the center stage in any garden they are found. In the last decade, the number of Japanese maple cultivars available to gardeners has doubled and there is a pressing need for an up-to-date reference. This new fourth edition offers detailed descriptions of over 150 new introductions, updates to plant nomenclature, and new insights into established favorites. Gardeners will relish the practical advice that puts successful cultivation within everyone''s grasp. Accurate identification is made simple with over 600 easy-to-follow descriptions and 500 color photographs.

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Book SynopsisRemarkable ... Evoking the intensity with which orchid hunters pursue their quarry ... Vivid and expressive' Sunday TimesWonderfully vivid this is a beautifully written celebration of these mysterious and endangered plants' GuardianRich with orchids and their subjects ... A wonderful book' Robert MacfarlaneOrchid Summer is a heady celebration of the beauty and history of the wild orchid species of the British Isles, embraced in one dazzling summer-long hunt by naturalist Jon Dunn. The flowers that are the focus of this treasure hunt are exquisite and diverse. Some tower above the surrounding vegetation; others are vanishingly small and discrete. Some are sweetly scented; others smell of ripe billy goats. Some are abundant; others more elusive none more so than the last to flower, the ghost orchidCapturing the intoxicating beauty of these rare flowers, Orchid Summer explores their history, their champions, thTrade ReviewDunn’s descriptions of his “orchidaceous treasures” are wonderfully vivid and his account of his travels is full of amusing anecdotes … This is a beautifully written celebration of these mysterious and endangered plants that will delight orchidophiles and nature lovers alike -- PD Smith * Guardian *Remarkable … Evoking the intensity with which orchid hunters pursue their quarry … [Dunn] is skilled in describing the beauty of the flowers themselves. Orchid Summer contains no photographs and few illustrations but scarcely needs them, so vivid and expressive is Dunn’s prose * Sunday Times *A painterly book detailing a naturalist’s summer-long search for the wildest flowers of the British Isles; a hymn to the homegrown exotic * National Geographic Traveller *Dunn’s writing is assured and reflective. He has a painterly eye for colour terms and seems especially fond of them … The considered descriptions slow the reader’s pace and engage the imagination … To be guided by Jon Dunn in such a pursuit is a pleasure * Times Literary Supplement *Dunn is relentless in his quest to unearth the stories around the orchids that so enrapture him – and finds a few tales of floral skulduggery along the way! The history of these flowers, and the threats they face, combine to make this a great read for any plant enthusiast * Garden News *From Muckle Flugga to the Isles of Scilly, this is a journey through Britain as you've never quite seen it before – a riveting orchidaceous journey to find our most elaborate, elusive and desired flowers. Jon Dunn is a marvellous guide – a wide-ranging polymath, learning lightly worn, he paints evocative pictures and delivers delicious tales -- Patrick Barkham, author of 'The Butterfly Isles'[Jon Dunn’s] enthusiasm, knowledge and curiosity are evident in everything he does … Part travelogue, part memoir and part natural history poem, Orchid Summer is a dazzling, evocative account of Jon’s adventures … A love letter to these most magical of plants * Eden Magazine *In this intoxicating blend of nature quest, cultural history and science, Jon Dunn takes us through the landscape of the orchid … We travel with him to discover the orchidaceous secrets we might one day be lucky enough to encounter, if only we knew what to look for. And with this wonderful manual we now have a much better chance -- Miriam Darlington * BBC Wildlife *A book rich with orchids and their subjects ... A wonderful book -- Robert MacfarlaneA very thorough quest. Not only did [Dunn] knock off the species but he also found many of the colour varieties and hybrids. He has considerable knowledge and expertise -- Peter Marren * British Wildlife *Dunn … takes us on a summer journey across some of Britain and Ireland’s loveliest countryside … Celebrating the beauty, history and charisma of wild orchids, Jon Dunn … writes engagingly of these delicate and elusive flowers * Choice *Dunn is a fine nature writer, whose descriptions of locations are eloquent and often poignant … He is an erudite authority on orchid identification, while his digressions into their uses as aphrodisiacs, their promiscuous tendency to form hybrids that bamboozle botanists, and tales of their curious place in human affairs are constantly entertaining * Countryfile *An encyclopaedic romp through the spell that orchids cast on us – the history, intrigue and joy their appearances in our countryside engender … It's infectious stuff …Essential reading for all "orchidiots" * Plant Life *[An] assured debut * Guardian, Best Books of 2018 *

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Book SynopsisFor centuries, English country gentlemen had collected exotic pictures for their saloons and rare books for their libraries. By the end of the 17th century, they had begun to plant nurseries. Within the space of a few years thousands of new plantations enriched the British landscape, and demand was high for the most splendid imports: maples and pines from the American colonies, cypresses and cedars from Europe and Lebanon, oriental plane from Greece and Turkey, with its romantic associations with Plato''s Academy.How did these extraordinary plants make their way to the forests of Britain and Ireland? Who were the scholars and daredevils who combed the new and old worlds in search of green treasure? What crimes did they commit, and what price did they pay, to bring the world''s charismatic megaflora to the gardens of home? In this exuberant history, Thomas Pakenham reveals the marvellous tales of adventure, discovery, rivalry and passion that created the modern British lands

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Book Synopsis**Longlisted for the Wainwright Prize****Shortlisted for the Richard Jeffries Award**'A meditative, descriptive, easy-to-read book that's perfect for plant lovers.' - Irish Examiner'A delightful, soothing book, packed with enlightening information about the natural world and the threats it faces.' - Mail on Sunday'This bicycle Odyssey of Britain and Ireland's wild flora is joyous, inspirational and beautifully observed.' - Peter Marren, author of After They've Gone'The Wildflowers of Britain have a new champion.' - Lee Schofield, author of Wild Fell'A heart-warming, fascination-inducing read from start to finish.' - Lucy Lapwing'An extraordinary book... captivating in its joy for the natural world.' - Isabel Hardman'When was the last time you stopped and noticed a wild plant?'An intriguing and timely exploration of the importance of Britain and Ireland's plant life.Leif Bersweden has always been fascinated by wild plants. From a young age, his afternoons were spent hunting for and cataloguing the plants in his local area. But it is a landscape that is fast disappearing.Climate change, habitat destruction and declining pollinator populations mean that the future for plant life looks bleaker than ever before. Many of us are also unable to identify, or even notice, the plants that grow around us.Now a botanist, Leif decides to go on a mission, to explore the plants that Britain and Ireland have to offer and to meet those who spend time searching for them. Over the course of a year, Leif goes on a journey around the UK and Ireland, highlighting the unique plants that grow there, their history and the threats that face them. His journey takes him from the Cornish coast to the pine forests of Scotland - even to the streets of London, proving that nature can be found in the most unexpected places. Along the way, Leif highlights the joy and positivity that can be found through understanding nature and why it is so desperately important to protect our wildflowers.

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Book SynopsisFungi are not like us - they are entirely, magically, something else. Welcome to the astonishing secret world of fungi. Aliya Whiteley has always been in love with fungi - from a childhood taking blurry photographs of strange fungal eruptions on Exmoor to a career as a writer inspired by their surreal and alien beauty. This love for fungi is a love for life, from single-cell spores to the largest living organism on the planet; a story stretching from Aliya's lawn into orbit and back again via every continent. Despite their familiar presence, there's still much to learn about the eruption, growth and decay of their interconnected world. From fields, feasts and fairy rings to death caps, puffballs and ambrosia beetles, this is an intoxicating personal journey into the life of extraordinary organism, one that we have barely begun to understand.

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Book SynopsisReconnect with nature through the quiet practice of leaf-peeping. Every autumn, we’re graced with a breathtaking spectacle as the leaves turn from green to amber and gold. But how often do we stop to appreciate it? In this charming book, discover the fascinating science of leaf-turning, practical tips on where to find foliage, musings on what we can learn from the perennial, cyclical nature of leaves, as well as grounding rituals that encourage mindful observation of this stunning natural phenomenon. 2C line drawings and a textured case add a lovely visual and tactile component, and the petite trim size makes this perfect for taking on an adventure. At once meditative and insightful, LEAF-PEEPING reminds us of the value of slowing down and paying attention to the many wonders that surround us.

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Book SynopsisThis beautifully-illustrated gift book reveals the hidden meanings of over 50 popular flowers. Did you know that the type of flowers you give can speak volumes? The Secret Language of Flowers is a fascinating insight into the Victorian tradition of using flowers to convey secret messages in a society where feelings often had to be suppressed. Samantha Gray reveals how over 50 blooms acquired their meanings in folklore and how they became the language of courtship, love, friendship, beauty and more – discover how lily of the valley symbolises the return of happiness, how bluebells stand for constancy and everlasting love, and how daffodils represent high regard and chivalry. With stunning illustrations by artist Sarah Perkins that capture all of the beauty of flowers, this is an exceptionally lovely and fascinating gift book.

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Book SynopsisThis next instalment in the bestselling Welcome to the Museum collection in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, is about the incredible life of trees.Trees are some of nature's most majestic and beguiling life forms. Arboretum is a beautifully illustrated celebration of trees from around the world, and sheds light on the vital role they play in every part of human life. From trees associated with ancient mythology, to the rarest and most unusual specimens, wander the arboretum and meet mighty oaks and towering redwoods. Learn just how ancient trees like the ginko and monkey puzzler are, and trace the complexities of the wood wide web.This latest addition to the Welcome to the Museum series will appeal to any budding botanist or tree lover.Trade ReviewA spectacular book. -- Nicolette Jones

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Book SynopsisTrees have starred in stories ever since Ovid described the nymph Daphne's metamorphosis into a laurel, and the landscape of literature has long been enlivened by wild woodlands, sacred groves, and fertile orchards. This delightful collection ranges from Ovid to Austen and from Robin Hood's Sherwood Forest (via Thomas Love Peacock's Maid Marian) to Washington Irving's 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'. Here are forest-haunted fairy tales both classic (the Brothers Grimm) and inventively retold (Angela Carter). There is room in these woods for comedy as well as terror, in Stella Gibbons's Cold Comfort Farm, and Alexander McCall Smith's 'Head Tree'. Notable writers from around the world contribute arboreal fiction-from South Africa, Finland, France, Zimbabwe, Russia, Martinique, and India, as well as Britain, Ireland, Canada and America. From Daphne du Maurier's 'The Apple Tree' to R. K. Narayan's 'Under the Banyan Tree', the sheer range of stories in these pages will leave readers refreshed and dazzled.

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Book SynopsisThe ancient trees of the British Isles form a distinct and fascinating group. In this little book their form and character are carefully described by Welsh border woodsman Andy Thompson. With rare early engravings of seeds and branches, leaf shapes, typical tree outlines and common timber uses, printed on the highest quality recycled papers, this is an unusual, useful and beautiful book. WOODEN BOOKS are small but packed with information. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

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Book SynopsisThe Lake District is one of our busiest national parks. Many people believe that wildness is long gone from the fells, lakes, tarns and becks, yet, within its boundaries, Jim Crumley sets out to prove them wrong – to find “a new way of seeing and writing about this most seen and written about of landscapes". With a naturalist’s eye and a poet’s instinct he is drawn to Lakeland’s turned-aside places where nature still thrives, from low-lying shores to a high mountain oakwood that’s not even on the map. Through backwaters and backwoods, Crumley traces this captivating land’s place in the evolution of global conservation and pleads the case for a far-reaching reappraisal of all of Lakeland’s wildness.Trade ReviewPraise for Previous work: Richard Jefferies Society & White Horse Bookshop Literary Prize for nature writing: SHORTLISTED; Saltire Society award: SHORTLISTED "A delightful meditation." Stephen Moss, Books of the Year, Guardian; "Nature writing is like trying to catch birds with cobwebs. Crumley's just has a higher tensile strength than most." Herald; "Enthralling and often strident." ObserverTable of ContentsNowhere under the Rainbow; The Tree Mountaineers; Nature’s Social Union; The Tree Mountaineers (2); The Juniper Belt; Time Stalls, You Grow Still, You Go Deeper In; A Sense of Place Fell; Golden Eagle, Silver Swan; A Sense of Rightness Regained; Ash to Ashes; Divining in Reverse

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Book SynopsisA fascinating journey over 57 years in the creation of Adrian Bloom's own garden from a flat grazing meadow into one of Britain's most beautiful all seasons gardens.

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Book SynopsisNestled by the roadside, peeking through the hedgerows, hidden in the woods and even in city streets and parks, wild food is all around us - if you know where to look.From woodland mushrooms and riverbank redcurrants to garden weeds and urban cherry blossoms, Where the Wild Things Grow takes us on a journey through the forager's landscape.Drawing on 25 years of foraging experience, David Hamilton show us how and where to hunt for the food that is hidden all around us. Along the way he delves into the forgotten histories and science of wild foods and their habitats and reveals his many foraging secrets, tips and recipes. You'll discover where to find mallows, mustards and pennywort, as well as sumac, figs and mulberries. You'll learn how to pick the sweetest berries, preserve mushrooms using only a radiator and prepare salads, risottos and puddings all with wild food.In all weathers, landscapes and seasons, David shows us that foraging doesn't just introduce us to new tastes and sensations, it also brings us closer to the natural world on our doorstep. Beautifully illustrated and rich in detail, Where the Wild Things Grow is more than a field guide - it is a celebration of the wonderful and fragile gifts hidden in our landscape.

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Book Synopsis2018 INDIES Winner Gold - Body, Mind, Spirit (Adult Nonfiction) Nautilus Book Awards Gold Winner Rosemary is for remembrance; sage is for wisdom. Would meditating on the starflower help heal you? Does the spirit of sweet violet have something to offer you today? Contemporary herbalist Maia Toll, author of The Illustrated Bestiary and The Illustrated Crystallary, profiles the mystical, magical, bewitching personalities of 36 powerful herbs, fruits, and flowers in this stunning volume. The book includes a deck of 36 beautifully illustrated oracle cards - one for each plant - and ideas for readings and rituals to help you access your intuition, navigate each day's joys and problems, and tap into each plant's unique powers for healing, guidance, and wisdom. Also available: The Illustrated Herbiary Collectible Box Set and The Illustrated Bestiary Collectible Box Set.

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