The Wild Trees (Abridged): A Story of Passion and Daring Audiobook

" Not as good as The Hot Zone, but still interesting despite a few dry parts. Definitely for botanists and tree climbers. "

" Interesting info on how one can study a forest canopy 370 feet above the ground and including the fact that there are species undiscovered that live there! "

" Reading this book under the tall trees themselves, during a week-long camping trip in the Redwoods, was perfect. Still, it's not a perfect book. There is some excellent material here, but Preston made some imperfect decisions on what to leave in, and I would have appreciated a deeper exploration of the ecology / science of the story. "

" I learned how much I hate aspects of humanity. The constant rape of our planet for our own ease and desire with no thought to consequence. Preston had an interesting statement regarding "homogenizing the earth's biosphere". Unfortunately it is easily lost in the last minute soap box rant at the end of the book. While I can believe there is a conscience attempt to do this to our society/commercialization, I wouldn't go so far as to attribute this to the reason we are stripping the world of its biodiversity. Big picture on the book...I would have preferred more information on ecosystems, etc rather then the lives of the researchers and how many climbs on virgin redwoods they performed. Just what were some of the findings on all that research they did? The jumping around chronologically was confusing and also detracted from the readability. Good intro to tall tree climbing but continue on researching or look elsewhere if you have true interest in the subject. "

" A fascinating depiction of what it's like to hike the Redwoods in northern California using only rope, passion, and a whole lot of faith. This book made me feel insignificant to these magnificent trees that are more than just trees. You get an inside look at a group of individuals living solely to explore the unknown regions of the Redwoods. Read to see what they find! "

" If you like trees you need to read this book. "

" Very interesting topic, and the adventure of climbing these monstrous trees, hunting for the tallest, camping in them, measuring them, falling from them, exploring their crowns... all captivated me. But I found most of the characters arrogant and annoying, and the second half of the book was poorly organized. Even so, upon finishing I did long to take a trip back to the northwest to see these forests again. "

" It read like fiction---really interesting characters. I learned a lot about determination, finding your passion, and of course, trees!! "

" So far so good. Had to return to library. Should check out again. "

" As well researched as the Hot Zone, but not as exciting. Nevertheless, I learned and I will never again be ambivalent about saving our forests. "

" A wonderful introduction to old trees and how they are studied. Forget about climbing a rock--climb a tree where the first (strong) limbs are 300+ feet up. Better yet, try sleeping in one... "

" Overall enjoyable. Lots of overwrought descriptions. "

" Interesting info on the canopies of red woods and other tall trees. But, there has to be someone other than Simon Winchester and Diane Ackerman who can write a decent (i.e., a joy to read) book of scientific nonfiction. "

" the information about the redwoods was interesting, but the detail-laden stream of consciousness writing style was very odd. "

" an amazing tale of love for nature's tallest and longest living creations----the explorers climbed them, camped there, gave them names, and mapped the extensive treetops-----the trees became individuals not just wood or timber to be harvested-- "

" Truth is stranger than fiction. Ordinary people with all their quirks doing extraordinary things. One of my top ten reads for 2008. "

" I didn't read the whole book I read parts here and parts there. I am using excerpts of this for a non-fiction unit that is in progress. I like what I've read! "

" An interesting way to interweave information about giant trees with the lives of those who love and study them. Although the title is not an attention-grabber, the book is quite well written. "

" I don't think I've climbed a tree since I was about 7 years old, but this book really made me want to run right out and jump into one. "

" Great science, great adventure, great nonfiction. Thanks MPeavler. "

" Even I got tired of readign that much about trees... "

" What a great book! I love the way Richard Preston writes about non-fiction subjects. And I have, since a boy, been so interested in the California Redwood trees. I want to see these sights he wrote about, and experience the world of the Redwoods! You'll love it! "

" Wow! One can get lost in the passionately written book about the the world's largest and oldest organisms. If you like passion, science and adventure this is the book for you. "

" I so want to get the gear to travel through some forest canopy. "

" It made me want to sleep at the tops of trees just so flying squirrels would climb into my sleeping bag. "

" A totally kick-ass fun read. :P "

" This is an amazing story of something I knew nothing about. True story of recent discovery of tallest redwoods and the people that found them--and climbed them-and played in them. "

" Going truly where no man has gone before. Who knew there was such a world up there. "

" LOVED this book. Interesting and just a great read! "

" Amazing story of an amazing, awe inspiring life form "

" I do not usually read non fiction but this one was a page turner and wanted me to go tree climbing in the Redwoods while i was reading it! "

" I love the redwood forests! Must read more about them! "

" I loved this book. Preston really brought to life the science of climbing the largest trees in the world and the quirky people who pioneered it out of their fascination with the old growth redwoods. Now I long to be up there with them. "