The living forest: a visual journey into the heart of the woods

Reading The Living Forest is akin to taking a slow walk with a keen naturalist and poet through a deep wilderness in the backwoods of New York or Virginia. A journey meant to slow the breath, to engender fascination and love for the natural bounty that surrounds us. This book was created with more of an artistic sensibility than a scholarly one; Llewellyn's photographs encompass trees from the roots to the leaves, and the pages feature stunning high key photography of buds and flowers opening in the spring. Forest animal inhabitants are highlighted where their part of the ecosystem or cycle is integral to the natural journey Maloof's writing takes, from the canopy in the air and sky down to the moss and ferns on the ground. A short bibliography is included for those looking for more information, though there are no in-text citations. For those who lack easy access to the forest, taking a few minutes to savor this book--to take in the emotionally expressive photography and learn a tidbit or two--could be just as pleasurable as a nature walk. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers. --Tara Lee Bal, Michigan Technological University

Arresting photographs combine with musings about the web of life in deciduous forests in this coffee-table book. According to Maloof, a professor of biology and environmental studies at Salisbury University, "The forest is not only something to be understood, it is also something to be felt." She imbues the written portions of the book with colorful language that sometimes takes the tone of a fantastical children's story, as when she encourages readers to enter "this world of tangible rainbows" to experience fall foliage. While some of the science is elementary, Maloof compensates by adding more-esoteric information, as with her extended discussion of the sensory powers of tree leaves or the fact that most of a hummingbird's nutrition comes not from nectar but from insects and spiders. Llewellyn's photography is gorgeous and includes aerial shots and close-ups of plants and animals. He presents the plants against a white background, easily drawing attention to elements of biodiversity described in the text. Surprisingly, there is only a brief statement on environmental preservation. The book provides a beautiful-if not deep-view of woodlands through the seasons. Color photos. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Arresting photographs combine with musings about the web of life in deciduous forests in this coffee-table book. According to Maloof, a professor of biology and environmental studies at Salisbury University, "The forest is not only something to be understood, it is also something to be felt." She imbues the written portions of the book with colorful language that sometimes takes the tone of a fantastical children's story, as when she encourages readers to enter "this world of tangible rainbows" to experience fall foliage. While some of the science is elementary, Maloof compensates by adding more-esoteric information, as with her extended discussion of the sensory powers of tree leaves or the fact that most of a hummingbird's nutrition comes not from nectar but from insects and spiders. Llewellyn's photography is gorgeous and includes aerial shots and close-ups of plants and animals. He presents the plants against a white background, easily drawing attention to elements of biodiversity described in the text. Surprisingly, there is only a brief statement on environmental preservation. The book provides a beautiful—if not deep—view of woodlands through the seasons. Color photos. (Oct.)