The Wild Trees

A Story of Passion and Daring

By: Richard Preston

Narrated by: Richard Preston

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 a thousand years old, rising more than thirty-five 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 Š 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 -- 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.

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.

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.

love the trees

I loved the story. I found it exciting and accurate.
Richard preston's description of what it's like to ascend high up in the canopy was right on! All of us tree climbers should give this one a listen. Two thumbs up!

Lessons from Wild

The Wild Trees is an untold story of the magnificent Red Woods. It is a symbionic relationship of what they can teach us and how we can protect them. A must read you will find difficult to put down.