The Wild Trees

A Story of Passion and Daring

By: Richard Preston

Narrated by: Richard Preston

Length: 5 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Hidden away in foggy, uncharted rain forest valleys in Northern California are the largest and tallest organisms the world has ever sustained: the coast redwood trees, Sequoia sempervirens. The biggest redwoods are over 1,000 years old, rising more than 35 stories in what's left of the once-vast, ancient redwood forest. Believed to be impossible to ascend, these majestic giants have remained unexplored until recently, when a tiny group of daring botanists and amateur naturalists discovered a lost, dangerous, and hauntingly beautiful world high above California.

In The Wild Trees, Richard Preston unfolds the spellbinding story of these young voyagers, who risk everything to explore the redwood canopy, where the massive trees form flying buttresses and cathedral-like structures in the air. They find a vertical Eden of hanging gardens and rare creatures, an untouched paradise where it's possible to stretch hammocks between tree branches and make love 300 feet in the air. But as they move through the treetops suspended on ropes, far out of sight of the ground, these young adventurers know that the smallest mistake can result in a plunge to one's death.

Preston mastered the techniques of tall-tree climbing to recount the discovery of this amazing world. This is a grand adventure, by turns terrifying, moving, and fascinating, from a master of nonfiction narrative.

©2007 Richard Preston. All rights reserved (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Preston's hands-on perspective, suspenseful chronicling of the adventures of these vividly portrayed redwood experts, and glorious descriptions of the tall trees' splendor and ecological significance make for a transfixing read." (Booklist)

Great book

recommended by a gal at the Visitor center at Prarie Creek redwoods state park.
enjoyed this very much

love the trees

I loved the story. I found it exciting and accurate.
Richard preston's description of what it's like to ascend high up in the canopy was right on! All of us tree climbers should give this one a listen. Two thumbs up!

Lessons from Wild

The Wild Trees is an untold story of the magnificent Red Woods. It is a symbionic relationship of what they can teach us and how we can protect them. A must read you will find difficult to put down.

abridged???

The last line in this audio book says the book was abridged for audio!

I have loved Redwood ever since I heard of them

This is the first book I’ve ever read on the redwoods joy to listen to. I love the fact that there’s entire Eco system up there never knew that at the stories of their climbing is harrowing and exciting.

Wild Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend it to any reader who is also interested in botany, climbing or nature in general.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the back stories of the characters, the botany information and the sequence of events.

Which character – as performed by Richard Preston – was your favorite?

Steve, he went through as many growth spurts and changes as the trees. The reader could feel his obsession.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it had great transitions, but it was a book I could go in the house and not listen to until I got in my car again the next day.

Any additional comments?

This book was a delightful surprise. I had avoided it because I didn't think it would be interesting to me. Then, after my climber husband retired I was on a quest to find books that we could listen to while traveling together, Wild Trees was a perfect blend of information and character development for both of us.

Excellent

Anyone who has stood at the base of a redwood tree and not realized what is above should read this. Whole new world up there.Excellent combination of biology and human interest.

Fascinating adventures!

This book is an incredible read, even if you’re not, as in love with the redwood trees, as I am. These intrepid explorers ventured into deep and daunting forests to discover these wonders trees that we can now hike to. May they continue to be protected forever!

such an unknown world

learning such astounding facts of an amazing world within our planet. I had no idea of it's existence.

The Wild Trees

Preston's account of this story is breath taking. His story telling is intriguing and leaves you wanting to explore these treaures first hand. Great listen, thank you!