For those readers who loved [b:The Hidden Life of Trees|28256439|The Hidden Life of Trees What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World|Peter Wohlleben|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1464281905l/28256439._SX50_.jpg|48295241] and are trying to decide whether or not to read [a:Peter Wohlleben's|4110912|Peter Wohlleben|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1474069110p2/4110912.jpg] latest book, I cannot provide any guidance. I have not read The Hidden Life of Trees so I cannot make a comparison.

This is my first reading experience with [a:Peter Wohlleben's|4110912|Peter Wohlleben|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1474069110p2/4110912.jpg] works. My expectation based on the title, was the majority of the book would be devoted to trees. The initial chapters seemed disjointed and off topic but the latter chapters were more reflective of the book's title.

I gave the book 4 stars and I enjoyed listening to the audio version. Wohlleben makes a compelling narrator. ( )

The studies he mentions are interesting and the focus on reconnecting people with the forest admirable, I just felt the author was a little too present in the text ( )

There are section of this book in which I think Wohlleben treads a little further beyond current science than I think is warranted. But I had a similar impression with [b:The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World|28256439|The Hidden Life of Trees What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World|Peter Wohlleben|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1464281905l/28256439._SX50_.jpg|48295241], but pretty much all of that turned out to be well-grounded science. So perhaps my current misgivings will prove unfounded. In any event, I learned some new stuff about trees, which always makes me happy. ( )

Fascinating book! Some really interesting chapters, and a few weak ones especially near the end. ( )

I don't typically like the word "accessible" (at least in this context) because I think it comes loaded with bias and subtexts that don't really serve anyone, but this book does a remarkable job of blending solid research (yay! there are endnotes!), personal anecdotes, and let's say inspirational sensibility, if such a thing exists. Particularly wonderful is the way that Wohlleben tests his own cynic at times. I was prepared for a diatribe against some of the more touchy-feely assertions made by the tree-loving community, but Wohlleben's success lies in his willingness to explore all facets of an issue. He patiently explains how voltage works when it comes to touching trees, but also how our touch can impact plants through thigmomorphogenesis. Somehow the author manages to introduce a term like thigmomorphogenesis without losing his inviting tone. Part of this is because it is a story of Wholleben's learning instead of a simple narrative of what he has learned. There are a few awkward bits of English translation, particularly for English speakers in the US, but they shouldn't disrupt one's ability to appreciate this book.
Most valuable is how Wohlleben disrupts conventional/popular notions: e.g. using wood is NOT carbon-neutral. He seems to believe we all have a part to play -- forest-bathers, foresters, lumber companies alike-- and he often offers an idea of a solution (though we lack the blueprint for said solutions). A good read, and perhaps mildly frustrating as there were many times I wanted to put it down to go walk in the forest. :-) ( )