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)

Well worth the listen.

Richard Preston’s voice and the narrative style of his prose were easy listening. Even though this is an abridged version, I learned a lot.

Very interesting

I had read The Wild Trees ten or fifteen years ago. Stories that involve the wilderness have always intrigued me. Especially when it involves these massive, huge Redwood trees. A very good read in my opinion.

Fantastic book

Honestly my favorite author. Can’t believe I put off reading, or in this case listening to this one for so long . Awesome subject and fantastic narrative to make it even more interesting. Another great book by Richard Preston.

Beautiful

This is an engaging, exciting audio book about a subject I had never even considered, prior to this work. The author delves into the lives of the individuals, weaving between the science of the trees, and the humanity that surrounds them.

Excellent!

From the beginning it draws you into a magical and mysterious world and you can easily see this universe of majestic trees.

The Wild Trees

A fascinating narrative that I had read once before. I was disappointed that the audible version was abridged, as I appreciated all the details of the author’s research in the original book and missed the complete version. The author’s narration of the audible version was outstanding.

Fascinating story about Redwoods and those dedicated to exploring them.

I would strongly recommend this book if one has an interest in learning about these 2,000 year old trees that can grow over 350 feet tall. The monotone voice of the reader (also the author) took some getting used to, but
once done, the learning experience was very rewarding.

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!