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)

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.

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!

Wonderful book

Loved this book, the journey into the Redwood forests and the quest to discover the crown jewel. An instant favorite !

Must Read

Listened on the recommendation of a friend; I was not let down! Absolutely loved it!

A Glimpse of Glory

I’m an avid outdoorsman. Hiking, climbing, hunting, fishing, and sitting around. Never have I really looked at trees as much for than a beautiful landscape feature. Then I saw a Redwood… there is something about them. Seeing one is liking seeing a glimmer of the glory of God. It’s hard to describe. Go to a redwood or sequoia forest, and you’ll understand why people are obsessed with these trees.

Abridged

I love this book- any abridged version automatically gets a max of 3 stars from me- however the reading is good and the interviews with protagonists is a great touch

A rich and colorful non fiction treasure!

This book is endearing. So full of color and depth.
Non fiction at its best.
A love of Trees in specific and Nature in general meet s a real story,
Bravo !

You will fall in love with the trees.

Interesting and inspiring. This isn't the best I have ever read, but real good just the same.