I think I like Richard Preston’s stuff even better than I like his brother Douglas’. Richard tends to write more in the way of dramatized real-life stories than novels, and he’s very good at it. The Hot Zone, for example, will make your blood freeze a bit if you take the time to understand what he’s saying at all.
The Wild Trees deals with redwoods. You might not think that that huge trees would lend themselves to drama, but Preston makes it work. There were times I was actually short of breath as I read his descriptions of the scientists climbing around in the California canopy. If you like nature, or conservation, or have ever seen a redwood and wondered what it would be like to climb it, or are just are in the mood for something a little different, this book won’t disappoint you.
2 Comments
The book is a good read.
It’s dramatic alright. Apparently to the point of fiction in a few sections.
But I’ll pick it up more than once.
No photos in your copy either?
Here – try these; same tree:
http://www.mdvaden.com/grove_of_titans.shtml
Larger images of those redwood titans of California are in album 3.
Cheers,
M. D. Vaden
Personally, I like the tree and nature books best.
The Wild Trees is written in a way that makes the book good for one or two readings at least.
Ever seen photos of those trees?
http://www.mdvaden.com/grove_of_titans.shtml
Whenever I find a redwood blog, I leave that URL so others can see what those look like.
Cheers,
MDV
Oregon
Post a Comment