The Heart of the Woods

I have always felt a strong connection to nature, more specifically to trees. To many, they are easy to ignore or are meant to be used but there is so much more going on - within the bark, communication amongst other trees, and an entire ecosystem below our feet. And while fascinated, I always struggled to put this fascination into words. Wyl Menmuir's writing in The Heart of the Woods is so incredibly beautiful and descriptive. I felt as though I was in the woods myself, joining the author on this journey of discovery.

Along the way, there were stories to share of sacred woodlands, passed down stories of forests with spirits, myths, and legends within the groves. People who plant trees that follow the growth charts of loved ones, and leave legacies in creating small woodlands under the famous banner of "Blessed is he who plants trees under whose shade he will never sit." There are serene and peaceful burials made from willow branches and buried within the roots of nature, a deep exploration into the soothingness of forest bathing, and ancestorial Viking boat building, mixed with historical events surrounding kings, queens, and wars from centuries ago.

Along this journey, the author shares stories of several others who have profoundly deep connections to trees or the woodlands. One of the most interesting for me was what we can not see. The millions of fungal species and networks exist along the forest floor and deep, deep below us. It is as though we were walking along the top of the ocean. The sea life below is an astounding fungal world pushing life up through the surface in the form of plants, and mushrooms, and communicating throughout woodlands.

I highly recommend this book. Nature in this form is almost spiritual as the author explains, "it is the nature of this love for trees, for woodlands and for wood as a material with which our pasts and futures are profoundly enmeshed."

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC.
#netgalley #theheartofthewoods #wylmenmuir #guartopublishinggroup

I learned so much from this book about Trees and How played important part of history different societies. The writer hits spot on every chapter. Have something to do with the trees. But it also explained history and ideas behind them.. Scotland really interesting history when they did the clearance for sheep farming in eighteen hundreds. I also like how he explained myths. About trees and how they played important part in this well. It talks about when it's spoons and how he did this when he had a covid nineteen oh , he's found inspiration for this. This is a really interesting book.I think forestry people should read this because it talks about different trees and how they relate to different things in history. I learned a lot.
From this book and it was a really well written book.

As a reader of mostly fictional works of writing, The Heart of the Woods, by Wyl Menmuir, recently served as a “break” from all my typical picks of fantasy, romance, mysticism, and unrealistic circumstances. And I am incredibly grateful that I made the time to enjoy its beautiful study of our human interaction with trees, forests, and woods.

Not only is this book fascinating and incredibly informative, with all its many stories from multiple locations and various human experiences, but it is touching and poignant, gifting its readers with stories to reflect on and relate to their own lives. To read about such specific examples of how individuals have interacted with trees, all in beautiful, meaningful ways, feels like a privilege and a resource. Trees as art, craft, livelihood, and hobby, trees for enjoyment through life and functional for death, trees for scientific study and exploration. I don’t think I have ever spent such a concentrated amount of time considering the less obvious ways we interact with the natural world around us.

The Heart of the Woods has certainly broadened my appreciation of a piece of this world that I walk amongst every day but rarely give more consideration to beyond the cool shade it provides. Wyl Menmuir’s writing is lovely and his storytelling will hold any reader’s attention throughout the message he has to share with us.

Thank you NetGalley and Aurum for allowing me the privilege of reading and reviewing the ARC of this beautiful book.

The Heart of the Woods is set for publication on July 30, 2024.

Beautifully written, exquisite nature and environmental writing.
I haven't read Menmuir's award-winning book, but I love how calm and peaceful, and just how much research Menmuir did. This is sure to be a new classic for those who are interested in this type of work. I highly recommend reading The Heart of the Woods. Wish there was a Kindle version of this, but thank you for the DRC, Netgalley and publisher!

The Heart of the Woods is a testament to the wisdom of trees.
The author takes us on a journey in the woods or around the trees in Britain and Ireland. He meets people whose lives are shaped by trees, people in different professions, and tells us tales and myths about trees, the conservation of them and how trees and humans live together (how trees enrich our lives).

This is of ideal length and the prose is engaging.
I can guess the reasons behind the use of black and white photography; though overall, a different design might have appealed to more senses, making the experience more memorable.

A contemplative journey into the woods of craft, science and myth

We are in a golden age for books on trees and woods, on woodlands and forest, and here is another to add to the canon. Menmuir takes a very personal journey into woodlands, through science and history. ecology and woodworking, sailing and death: every page is infused with love for trees, Menmuir's love, yes, but also that of his many subjects, people from every field. Trees are foundational, even for urban dwellers, and there is more that we don't know about trees that might prove our salvation in the future, such as medicines, new construction materials, their role in mitigating the climate crisis.

Four and a half stars