Book cover of To Speak for the Trees: My Life's Journey from Ancient Celtic Wisdom to a Healing Vision of the Forest

Book description

Diana Beresford-Kroeger - a world-recognised botanist and medical biochemist - has revolutionised our understanding of the natural world with her startling insights into the hidden life of trees. In this riveting memoir, she uncovers the roots of her discoveries in her extraordinary childhood in Ireland. Soon after, her brilliant mind…

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Why read it?

2 authors picked To Speak for the Trees as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This book may be one of the best books I’ve read in my entire life! I live in the redwoods of northern California and have been discovering the incredible peace of being in unspoiled ancient forests. I also share Celtic ancestry with the author, and it was fascinating to learn that they had a whole language called Ogham based on trees.

Her book is easy-to-read autobiographical nonfiction and filled with science, magic, and wonder about the importance of forests. For a long time now, I’ve been wondering if trees could be sentient. After reading Diana’s book, I’m sure of it.

To Speak for the Trees is one of my favorite books ever, partly because I love trees, and partly because of my own Celtic heritage from my maternal line. Diana Beresord-Kroeger, a scientist in biochemistry and botany, begins with her childhood in Ireland. After losing her parents at a young age, she is raised in the ancient Celtic nature wisdom and Druid beliefs by an entire community, and literally taught the language of trees: Ogham. Blending scientific discoveries about trees and the importance of forests to our species' survival, this book is a fast and delightful read that I won’t…

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