"Printed on FSC-approved, sustainably sourced paper, this is the latest labour of leafy love from Jonathan Drori CBE (Eden Project trustee, WWF ambassador and former commissioner of countless BBC TV series on science and nature). It's an erudite read that employs plant science to illuminate how trees play a key role in every part of human life; as a provider of food, a source of poison, a maker of medicines and building materials."
National Geographic UK"Beautifully illustrated and produced, Jonathan Drori's Around the World in 80 Trees takes a fond and fascinating look at the remarkable qualities of 80 different species of trees and how they've helped to shape civilisation."
Irish Times".the short vignettes that make up the book create a visually pleasing and easy to read volume full of botanical and cultural information. For casual plant lovers, hobby botanists and even more experienced professionals alike, this rich work is worth the read."
American Forests"Jonathan Drori circles the globe by setting out from London and heading east. Along the way he offers brief accounts of some of the world's most unusual or significant trees, from the holm oak of Spain to the whistling thorn of Kenya. He is an engaging guide, attuned to the sensual appeal of trees as well as their ecological, ethnological and medicinal uses... Lucille Clerc's colored-ink illustrations, including fruits and foliage that sometime slip off the edge of the page, add to the reader's enjoyment."
Wall Street Journal Forbes' Twelve Of The Best Books About Biology Of 2018"The winning combination of interesting historical and scientific facts and beautiful illustrations makes this a tome to be cherished".
Garden Design Journal the short vignettes that make up the book create a visually pleasing and easy to read volume full of botanical and cultural information. For casual plant lovers, hobby botanists and even more experienced professionals alike, this rich work is worth the read. -
American Forests "If you're enamoured of ecology, nature, or trees you'll want to pick up a copy of this book. It's one of the most interesting and beautifully illustrated books I've had the great pleasure of reading in years.
Canadian Woodworking Home Improvement"A brilliant blend of science, history, culture and folklore, this interesting and engaging book explores the relationship between people and trees as it circumnavigates the globe.The quietly passionate writing is informative, interesting and quite delightful.The hardback version, which I've got, is one of the best-produced books I've read in years: the formatting is crisp and inviting, the paper is heavy and of high quality, and almost every page includes color drawings by artist Lucille Clerc that are simply breathtaking. Together, these features make this book a joy to touch, to hold and to read."-
Forbes`I have loved trees all my life. It's fascinating to learn how, across the world, they have inspired people in much the same way, and to understand the key role they play, not just in our lives, but life as a whole'.
Dame Judi Dench`Full of new ideas and wonderful stories about the trees that helped shape us, I really loved this entertaining and erudite world journey'.
Beccy Speight, Chief Executive, The Woodland Trust `Botanical science, culture and the history of exploration all come together in this journey around the world through many of the most important trees that influence the customs and economy of each country. I would have found it hard to make a better selection of trees that are influential and important to the culture of the many countries [in this] most engaging trip around the world'.
Professor Sir Ghillean Prance FRS, VMH, Former Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew'This is the best love letter to trees I have ever read. Had I written it myself, I would die happy'.
Sir Tim Smit, Founder of The Eden Project"Beautiful illustrations by the French artist Lucille Clerc, strewn generously throughout, have the limpid calm of vernal pools. The book's author, Jonathan Drori, whose sunny prose sparkles with authority, grew up near the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, where he later served as a trustee. His childhood passion for plants branched into a study of the ways humans and trees interact. Drori and Clerc's book abounds with discoveries." -
The New York Times Book Review`This is the perfect tree book, with beautiful illustrations. A must for any tree lover, professional or amateur, who wants to learn more about 80 inspirational trees from around the world'.
Tony Kirkham, Head of the Arboretum at Kew`
Around the World in 80 Trees is a celebration of the vital importance of trees to our culture, environment, diet and spiritual well-being. The combination of factual, scientific and historical information makes for a fascinating read. It is a work of art and science with charming illustrations which will delight tree lovers everywhere'.
Professor Nicola Spence, the UK Government's Chief Plant Health Officer`In this delightful and beautifully illustrated book Jonathan provides a collection of fascinating biographies of some of the world's most extraordinary trees. [...] This is a personal narrative; Jonathan's love for trees, and his sense of wonder at the diversity of the natural world, shines through on every page'.
Richard Deverell, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew`Nature writing at its best, skillfully weaving science with fascinating folklore and the sheer wonder of trees'.
Professor Sir Charles Godfray CBE FRS"An accessible and colorful volume, this will charm even readers who know little about the plant-world." -
Publisher's Weekly Starred Review,
This exploration is both educational and visually exceptional.
Publishers Weekly, STARRED Review
