The Heartbeat of Trees

Embracing Our Ancient Bond with Forests and Nature

By: Peter Wohlleben

Narrated by: Mike Grady

Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

From the author of the New York Times best seller The Hidden Life of Trees

A powerful return to the forest, where trees have heartbeats and roots are like brains that extend underground. Where the color green calms us, and the forest sharpens our senses.

In The Heartbeat of Trees, renowned forester Peter Wohlleben draws on new scientific discoveries to show how humans are deeply connected to the natural world. In an era of climate change, many of us fear we’ve lost our connection to nature - but Peter Wohlleben is convinced that age-old ties linking humans to the forest remain alive and intact. We just have to know where to look.

Drawing on science and cutting-edge research, The Heartbeat of Trees reveals the profound interactions humans can have with nature, exploring:

• The language of the forest
• The consciousness of plants
• And the eroding boundary between flora and fauna.

A perfect book to take with you into the woods, The Heartbeat of Trees shares how to see, feel, smell, hear, and even taste the forest.

Peter Wohlleben, renowned for his ability to write about trees in an engaging and moving way, reveals a wondrous cosmos where humans are a part of nature, and where conservation and environmental activism is not just about saving trees - it’s about saving ourselves, too.

Praise for The Heartbeat of Trees

“As human beings, we’re desperate to feel that we’re not alone in the universe. And yet we are surrounded by an ongoing conversation that we can sense if, as Peter Wohlleben so movingly prescribes, we listen to the heartbeat of all life.” (Richard Louv, author of Our Wild Calling and Last Child in the Woods)

“Astonishment after astonishment - that is the great gift of The Heartbeat of Trees. It is both a celebration of the wonders of trees, and a howl of outrage at how recklessly we profane them.” (Kathleen Dean Moore, author of Earth’s Wild Music)

“As Peter Wohlleben reminds us in The Heartbeat of Trees, trees are the vocabulary of nature as forests are the brainbank of a living planet. This was the codex of the ancient world, and it must be the fine focus of our future.” (Dr. Diana Beresford-Kroeger, author of To Speak for the Trees and The Global Forest)

“Peter Wohlleben knows the battle that lies before us: forging a closer relationship with nature before we destroy it. In The Heartbeat of Trees he takes us deep into the global forest to show us how.” (Jim Robbins, author of The Man Who Planted Trees)

©2021 Peter Wohlleben (P)2021 Greystone Books

Critic reviews

An Amazon Editors' Pick: Best Nonfiction!

“It’s hard to dispute the book’s overall message; namely, that time spent in nature can serve as both a balm for anxiety and a bulwark against despair.” (Globe and Mail)

“Wohlleben confronts [climate change] directly. He is trenchant in his critique of tree plantations and wood-pellet-power plants, which claim to help the climate but, he argues, end up destabilizing it further.” (The New Yorker)

“A simultaneously stimulating and soothing blend of nature writing and science.” (The Guardian)

Such a wonderful book

This book takes me onto the forest with new eyes. I have always loved the forest and this book explains why.

Trees - there is a wondrous journey to take

Thoughtfully written. The narrator fits perfectly. The journey and learning that comes with it are priceless. Highly recommend to adults, teens and children. The generations to come might do better than the currents one.

Align your heart with nature

Peter once again brings us in with his story and experience in the forest. If you love to learn more about the world around and how we are connected to it
Then this book is perfect for you.

Good

I liked this book. It was very interesting to learn about the history and future of our relationship with trees as humans.

This book is fascinating!!!

I wish all of his books where translated to English.
The first book I read from him was The secret live of trees. Tye book for me was unbelievable!!! It made me instantly look at forest and trees with other eyes. It made me question everything I new. It made have a new hobby: bonsais and plants conquered my home .
I bough the children version to illuminate my kid with this knowledge of trees.
With this book I was so exited with everything I was learning from every chapter, that I had to tell to my partner, kid and colleges…. Trees have eyes!!!!
I searched the scientist that he mentioned and the studies to learn more and more about it.
Reading it only once for me is jot enough.
I read the previous one several times, some chapters more than others.
With this one is the same.
It made me desire to meet him, and participate if I’m lucky and he still do it in his guided forest walks.
I so much recommend it!!!

Save the trees!

I've always loved trees, but now I have a deeper admiration for them. Humans better wake up and pay attention to this fantastic resource of life on earth.

Beautifully done

This was such an enlightening book.
Such an important topic.
The narration was well done as well.

Endlessly Fascinating

Peter's passion for trees and nature shines through this book so powerfully! Thank you for this important work of deepening our understanding and, therefore, connection to nature!

Excellent

Great info on trees and how they feel and grow around the world et cet

Beauty in every word

This book was so beautiful written and read. It gave me chills, made me smile, and offered hope.