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!

I was very pleased with this book and couldn't stop listening to it. The actual interviews with some of the key subjects at the end were very pleasing.

Great Book

I thorougly enjoyed this book. The character development is great. Each night as I drove home from work, I felt as though I was going to the woods with them to climb tall trees.

Enjoyable and good read

Would you consider the audio edition of The Wild Trees to be better than the print version?

cant say didnt read the printed version but the audio was great.

What did you like best about this story?

good mix of scientific facts and life story.

Which scene was your favorite?

the high altitude tree sex.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no cry, no laugh, but smiles. :)

Any additional comments?

had to read this book for class. turns out i love the book. if your into plants or redwoods, than this is a must for you.

A Beautiful Journey

I was transported into the canopy of a giant sequoia and felt like I was truly experiencing the adventure, danger, sense of wonder, and spiritual gifts of these ancient, resilient beautiful trees. Thank you for taking me on this incredible journey with you. An important book that can truly help us understand our responsibilities as global citizens on our amazing planet. I will read this book more than once...it's that good!

A story for All Humankind

Thank you to you all for this book.
It is the book I go to when I need reassurance that life is going to be okay.

Great Book

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

Absolutely. It was exhilarating, the stakes were high, the characters were compelling, and it took me into an amazing world that is fantastic beyond all fantasy or science fiction.

What did you like best about this story?

The love story between Steve and Antoine.

What about Richard Preston’s performance did you like?

He knows how to read his own book.

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

Yes.

Wow!

I found this to be one of the most interesting audiobooks of the 100 or so i've completed. I couldn't put it down!

Fascinating trees

It's truly fascinating to read about these trees and these characters. Maybe a little too focused on the people by the end but enjoyable anyway.

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!