The Heart of the Woods is a momentous account of humanity's connection to trees and the woods they inhabit. The author, Wyl Menmuir, describes the many ways in which people express their love for the woods. Throughout the book, he shares stories of people who make their livelihood with trees, from willow weaving to woodworking and more. One of my favorite aspects that was written about in this book is the deep spiritual connection that many people have with the woods. I loved this book so much that I ended up buying a physical copy as well as the audiobook! I absolutely cannot recommend this enough.

Memoir and love letter to the woods.

My naturalist heart adored this book. The author's simplicity of writing, cozy photos, and joy of forests and trees makes this book a perfect cozy read for fall. (I reread Walden every autumn, so this book feels like a long-lost companion.)

"At the end of autumn, I had walked in the woods at Tomnafinnoge in County Wicklow, Ireland, with Cathelijne de Wit-Peijs, who leads forest bathing walks there. 'We tend to walk at a certain speed, as though we've got an end in mind,' ... she slowed down purposefully to emphasize her point and it took me a moment to adjust my speed to match hers. ... Why rush, she asked. After all, the walk we were taking through the ancient woods was a circular one. We would end up at exactly the same point at which we started."

A terrific exploration of man's relationship with trees and woodlands. Each chapter tackles a different theme from wood turning to the practice of natural burials, building to planting, climate crisis to conservation. This begins and ends with the author visiting the woodland that his seventy year old father has planted for future generations. Hopeful, beautiful and thought provoking.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ebook ARC of this beautiful book. I ended up purchasing a copy for myself and for a friend once it was released, because of how lovely it is! This will be a book that I will use for help planning programs for work! I have been recommending it to folks left and right, and will continue to do so.

Wyl Menmuir's writing is restful and soothing, his gentle enthusiasm is entrancing and his thoughtful exploration of trees and their people is a bit like a lovely, calming hug. A brief review for a gorgeous book, but it's really enough to say it was an utter delight to read it.

Reading this nonfiction felt like reading poetry. Every page was beautiful and the pictures that accompanied those words made me feel like I was apart of their lives. I would recommend to every nature lover!

Wyl Menmuir's The Heart of the Woods is exactly what I look for in my non-fiction reading: a well-researched meditation on something we often take for granted. In this case, Menmuir explores the relationship between trees and humans through a number of different examples. It is a book that I want in my library and will recommend to friends.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC; all opinions are my own.

I really enjoy a nonfiction that reads like fiction, and this one read as if someone was telling you a bunch of small interesting stories about tress and the various different uses or characters of them.
I was expecting the story with reference to Tokyo, Japan to be my favorite and yet my actual favorite was the chapter on the people that weave coffins out of tree for people that request it for their families, or people that do not have someone to request they be buried for them.

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

In *The Heart of the Woods*, Wyl Menmuir embarks on an enlightening journey through the woodlands of Britain and Ireland, blending history, ecology, and personal narratives. Known for his evocative prose and deep appreciation of nature, Menmuir offers a profound exploration of our enduring relationship with trees. This book, a companion piece to the Roger Deakin Award-winning *The Draw of the Sea*, is a tribute to the rich legacy of trees and their intertwined existence with humanity.

Menmuir’s journey through the woods is both literal and metaphorical. He travels extensively, meeting people whose lives and work revolve around trees. From woodland planters and coffin makers to ecologists and boat builders, each chapter introduces readers to individuals deeply connected to the woods. Menmuir's detailed accounts of their work and their relationship with trees provide a multifaceted view of how these magnificent plants shape our world and our lives.

Menmuir begins his exploration in a nascent woodland and an ancient yew grove on the North Wales and England border. Here, he delves into the beginnings of a woodland and the stories embedded in ancient trees. In Cornwall, he observes willow coffin making, a practice that marries sustainability with tradition, showcasing how trees play a role in our most solemn rituals. At Wytham Woods in Oxfordshire, Menmuir examines the intersection of science and nature, exploring the meticulous work of ecologists who study and protect these vital ecosystems.

Among the bodgers near Cambridge, he witnesses the transformation of wood into beautiful, functional objects, highlighting the craftsmanship and skill required to work with living materials. In the heart of Glasgow’s former docklands, Menmuir finds a woodland community dedicated to boat building, illustrating how trees contribute to our explorations and adventures. The rewilding projects in the Scottish Highlands and an organized trespass in Devon reveal the dynamic ways in which humans interact with and reshape the landscape.

Menmuir visits the clootie well at Munlochy on The Black Isle and explores the symbolic and cultural significance of trees in local traditions and family histories. Swimming in Northumberland’s natural pools, he delves into the therapeutic benefits of spending time among trees, an experience known as forest bathing. In Shropshire’s Wenlock Edge, Menmuir walks through fictional woods, exploring the role of trees in literature and myth.

Traditional carpentry in Takayama, Japan, provides a cross-cultural perspective on the universal importance of trees. In Ennistymon, Ireland, the stories found in flames and embers underscore the timeless connection between humans and wood. Menmuir’s encounter with a guitar-builder in North Wales and a pub on Ireland’s west coast highlights how wood contributes to our musical heritage. The wassailing tradition in Cornwall demonstrates how trees are celebrated and revered in seasonal rituals. Returning to an ancient yew grove in North Wales, Menmuir reflects on the spiritual significance of trees, tying together the book’s themes of legacy and interconnectedness.

*The Heart of the Woods* delves into several key themes: legacy and interconnectedness, cultural and historical significance, and environmental stewardship. Menmuir illustrates how trees leave a lasting legacy, shaping our tools, traditions, and stories. Each chapter reveals the deep-rooted cultural and historical connections between humans and trees. The book underscores the importance of preserving woodlands and fostering a sustainable relationship with nature.

Wyl Menmuir’s *The Heart of the Woods* is a beautifully written, deeply insightful exploration of our relationship with trees. It is a celebration of the natural world and a call to recognize the vital role trees play in our lives. This book will resonate with anyone who finds solace in the woods and understands the profound impact of nature on our well-being.

For readers who cherish nature, history, and personal narratives, *The Heart of the Woods* is an essential read that will inspire a deeper appreciation for the living, breathing entities that are trees.