The Hidden Life of Trees: A Graphic Adaptation
(of the International Bestseller)
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
A STUNNING NEW GRAPHIC NOVEL, BRILLIANTLY ADAPTED FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES, WASHINGTON POST, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER
From “veritable tree whisperer” (WSJ) and internationally celebrated author Peter Wohlleben comes the long-awaited graphic novel adaptation of one of the most beloved books of our time. “Wohlleben has listened to trees and decoded their language. Now he speaks for them.” (NYRB)
Filled with breathtaking illustrations and scientific facts about the forest and the flora and fauna who call it home—this eye-opening book will delight readers young and old.
Are trees social beings? For forester Peter Wohlleben, the answer has always been yes, the forest is a social network. Trees live like human families: tree parents live together with their children, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick and struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers.
This vibrantly illustrated graphic novel follows Peter as its loveable main character, revealing the secret network of the forest and sharing struggles and triumphs from his career protecting trees. Told in Peter’s warm, conversational voice, not unlike that of a beloved grandfather chatting fireside, this visually stunning book offers scientific insights and pearls of wisdom gained from Peter’s decades of observing forests, including how trees impact weather and climate, how they communicate with each other, and how they interact with fungal networks deep within the ground. It also offers poignant memories from Peter’s personal life.
Featuring 240 pages of full-color illustrations and text covering the entirety of The Hidden Life of Trees, this adaptation honors the spirit of the original book by seeking to change the way the world looks at trees, and will inspire generations of readers to celebrate the natural world and protect our last remaining forests before it’s too late.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Trees are like people—they feel and connect, and deserve similar respect—argues conservationist Wohlleben in this earnest graphic primer on the science of forest communities. Skillfully adapted from Wohlleben's original 2016 treatise by Bernard with watercolor-style art by Flao, the volume is organized by the seasons and combines biographical details and scientific research to explore the "majestic" and "mysterious" forests that humanity's survival depends on. In Spring, Wohlleben describes the anatomy of trees, demonstrating how forests are advanced super organisms "like the intricate workings of a clock." Summer finds him diving into trees' reproductive cycles; Fall tackles parasites, bugs, and invasive species; and Winter underscores the importance of mitigating human interventions. Throughout, the ways that trees communicate with one another is highlighted, as well as how fragile this ecosystem is in the face of climate change. Flao's brightly colored, loose-lined drawings include textbook-like spotlights on various organisms and profound moments from Wohlleben's lifelong fascination with forests. In this colorful call to "keep trying to change things for the better," Wohlleben's passion for nature is contagious.
