Prof Simard’s research on forests has transformed our understanding of how trees communicate with each other.

In this memoir from the self-styled forest detective, we see early inspiration come from her logging family and life in British Columbia woodland. We follow her career as a silviculturist and academician, to her discovery, during her PhD, of the Wood Wide Web, and the more recent breakthroughs on resource transfer, defence signalling and kin recognition signalling.

The scientist’s work has contributed to innovative and sustainable forestry practices. She is now turning her attention to mitigating the effects on forests of climate and environmental change.

My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Press UK – Allen Lane for the ARC.

Beautiful, lyrical descriptions of forest, married to the fascinating details of an astonishing life and body of work. A contemplative treat of a science-memoir