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What the Trees See

A Wander Through Millennia of Natural History in Australia
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( 52 ratings, 10 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
What the Trees See by Dave Witty offers a captivating exploration of the natural world through the perspective of trees. With a blend of science and creativity, the book delves into the lives of various trees, revealing how they perceive and interact with their environment. It's an enlightening journey that encourages readers to appreciate the hidden complexities and beauty of the forest ecosystem.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're captivated by the hidden world of nature and find yourself curious about the unseen perspectives of extraordinary life around us, you may enjoy this book. It offers a unique exploration of the natural world through the imagined viewpoint of trees, promising to deepen your appreciation for the interconnectedness of ecosystems.

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A stunning meditation on the remarkable insights that Australia's trees can offer into our past

A stunning meditation on the remarkable insights that Australia’s trees can offer into our past

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The trees around us – some we may walk past every day – tell a story. The mallee box by the twelfth hole of North Adelaide Golf Course evokes a time when Adelaide was clothed in mallee scrub and desert senna. Brisbane’s remnant blue gum, growing by the botanic gardens, indicates a time when the city was once jungle.

The river red gums of Melbourne bear the scars of Aboriginal craftsmanship. Mangroves, Leichhardt trees, acacias, eucalypts, foxtails … together, they inspire a narrative that jumps from Burke and Wills to sugar slaves, Empress Josephine to Johnny Flinders.

Eucalypts reveal lost cultures and lost children. Cabbage palms tell of incomparable migrations. In the spirit of Bob Gilbert’s Ghost Trees and Don Watson’s The Bush, What the Trees See explores how our trees hold our history and reveal it to us.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

What the Trees See by Dave Witty is praised for its deep research and engaging exploration of Australia's history through its trees. Reviewers commend Witty's ability to intertwine stories of plants, history, and human experiences, presenting an enlightening perspective on Australia's landscapes. The book is described as both a fresh voice in nature writing and a portal into understanding the intricate connection between trees and the nation's past and future. Overall, it offers a unique and insightful view into Australia's natural and cultural heritage.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781922633842

Publisher: Monash University Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 November 2023

Country: Australia

Imprint: Monash University Publishing

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 288

About the Author

Dave Witty is a Melbourne-based writer raised in London. His work appears in Island, Sleet and Meanjin. A chapter from this book won the highly commended award in the Nature Conservancy’s 2021 Nature Writing Prize.

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