Laurence King Around the World in 80 Trees

Description

"An arboreal odyssey" - NATURE "One of the most quietly beautiful books of the year" - DAILY MAIL Discover the secretive world of trees in Jonathan Drori''s number one bestseller... Bestselling author and environmentalist Jonathan Drori follows in the footsteps of Phileas Fogg as he tells the stories of 80 magnificent trees from all over the globe. In Around the World in 80 Trees , Jonathan Drori uses plant science to illuminate how trees play a role in every part of human life, from the romantic to the regrettable. From the trees of Britain, to India''s sacred banyan tree, they offer us sanctuary and inspiration - not to mention the raw materials for everything from aspirin to maple syrup. Stops on the trip include the lime trees of Berlin''s Unter den Linden boulevard, which intoxicate amorous Germans and hungry bees alike, the swankiest streets in nineteenth-century London, which were paved with Australian eucalyptus wood, and the redwood forests of California, where the secret to the trees'' soaring heights can be found in the properties of the tiniest drops of water. Each of these strange and true tales - populated by self-mummifying monks, tree-climbing goats and ever-so-slightly radioactive nuts - is illustrated by Lucille Clerc, taking the reader on a journey that is as informative as it is beautiful. The book combines history, science and a wealth of quirky detail - there should be surprises for everyone. Perfect for fans of Peter Wohlleben''s The Hidden Life of Trees , this new book will certainly whet the appetite of any tree lover to take an around-the-world trip, or simply visit your local botanic garden. The perfect travel guide for nature enthusiasts. "An irresistible mix of science, culture, botany, history and vicarious travel" - SYDNEY MORNING HERALD "Reads like a love song to the natural world, brimming with ancient anecdotes contained within the earth" - CULTURE TRIP Review: An unusual and surprisingly satisfying book about....trees - As anyone who has been in love knows, we may all be special, but for each of us there is a special kind of special. Around The World in 80 Trees offers that special kind of special. It can be felt in the love the author, Jonathan Drori, has for his subject and, for those who share his affection for trees, a special kind of special between the reader and fruits of Drori's droll writing. Spread out over 227 beautifully illustrated pages, Drori gives a brief historic and biological overview of each tree -- enough to pique curiosity and interest, but not enough to either incite boredom for those only casually interested in the subject, or provide in-depth detail for those looking for a deeper understanding of dendrology. For the latter, Drori helpfully provides a "Where to go next" reference section at the end, which I found to be an unexpected surprise. A quick comment on style. Anyone familiar with British comedy will recognize that culture's distinctly bemused tone in Drori's writing. From American authors this tone often comes across as forced, but from the delightfully British Drori it adds an element of levity and readability to a subject that might otherwise feel wooden, pun intended. Around The World in 80 Trees is definitely a niche book, and as such I suspect it will have a limited audience. But if you fall within that audience, it is a rare discovery and a uniquely satisfying treat -- a special kind of special. Review: You see the tree from the wood. - Loved this book. For each tree he provides a brief description picking out distinctive characteristics and then fits it into a cultural, historical perspective. The illustrations are wonderful and closely follow the written description. Enjoyed this book so much that I have just ordered their new one on 80 plants around the world.