Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Lately I find myself being drawn to more and more books concerning the natural world. This one is a beautiful example of what is possible when combining writing and artworks - a gorgeous book that I purchased after finishing my free ARC copy from NetGalley as I wanted a physical copy to keep.

Full of information, origin stories, facts, and drawings, this is a book to treasure, and a must for any nature lover or anyone with even the slightest interest in trees. A beautiful book.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for giving me a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Author and environmentalist Jonathan Drori follows in the footsteps of Phileas Fogg as he tells the stories of 80 magnificent trees from all over the globe.

In Around the World in 80 Trees, Drori uses plant science and droll English humor to illuminate how trees play a role in every part of human life, from the romantic to the regrettable.

It’s a wonderful collection of concise ‘portraits’ of trees from around the world (every continent except Antarctica). Full of fascinating details, each vignette takes up 1 or 2 pages, and discuses botanical facts, cultural context, its uses, how it fits into the ecosystem, and even some tidbits of lore or history. Each portrait is accompanied by absolutely lovely drawings. Exquisite in detail and coloring, they themselves are worth the price of purchase (buy the print version so you can enjoy the art and paper).

This is a tree book unlike any other tree book out there. Every page is a visual feast with a pithy, well-written narrative about each tree, including lots of quirky details that leave you saying, “Huh, I never knew that.” For example: A layered Norway Spruce in Sweden has a root system with remnants that carbon date back 9,500 years. And the slow-growing wood is perfect to transmit the intense vibrations prized in most stringed instruments. Then there are the Redwood forests of California, where the secret to the trees’ soaring heights can be found in the properties of the tiniest drops of water.
There are trees so dense they sink rather than float; trees that only grow in saltwater-soaking sand, and trees that hold their seeds tightly sealed in wax until a forest fire below opens them. And the Alder is waterproof when totally submerged. Venice is built on it, thousands of poles carved to a point and driven into the mud.

I read half of the book out loud to my husband during our lunches, and he never once asked me to be quiet.

What I love about this book is how it explores not only the biology of trees, but how they interrelate with human life to provide food, materials, shelter, and more. The author moves seamlessly from eloquent descriptions of the trees’ natural beauty to interesting accounts about their uses throughout history. My view of trees has changed to seeing them as complex organisms that have adapted to their local environment in some ingenious ways.

If you enjoy and appreciate Nature you will love this book. I have used it several times to share with friends who travel as a “keep a look out for this tree when you are in ______.” It will be my go-to gift for natural history buffs, Nature lovers, travelers, and any hard-to-buy for friend.

This is an absolutely beautiful book. The descriptions and information are fascinating and the illustrations are gorgeous. This is such an inspiring read, making me want to see all the trees in their natural habitats.

Wow, what a stunning book! 'Around the World in 80 Trees' is a beautifully illustrated introduction to 80 significant trees around the globe. It combines botany, history, and imparts the importance and uniqueness of each tree. As the illustrations are so wonderful, this is definitely a book to get in hard copy and it would make a great gift!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC.

Lots of Trees to Hug

If you are like me and have long-standing respect and appreciation for trees, you will most likely enjoy this book. In it, the author looks at trees around the world starting in Europe and working his way east with occasional dips south before ending in the Americas. I was happy to see a few favorites here, like the coastal Redwoods in the US, which I lived near for 10 years. Each tree is given a page or two and has illustrations of the entire tree as well as its fruits, flowers, berries, and other distinguishing products. The text tells more information about the tree, including where it's found, what it's known for, and sometimes even what it has meant through history. He's included some quirky stories as well. Unfortunately, the author has no photos of these trees, just drawings. The drawings are lovely and detailed, but I would have enjoyed seeing pictures of the actual trees. That said, I still found this to be a delightful book that only enhances the enjoyment that trees bring.

A wonderful book that does what it says on the cover, taking the reader around the globe giving a taster of different countries through their local trees. Not every tree is exclusively native to its associated country, but they are still intrinsically linked through some fascinating links.
Beautifully illustrated throughout, the book starts in the UK, moving through Europe, the Middle East, Africa, then on to Asia, across the Pacific, into Latin America, before arriving in the USA. Some of the connections are obvious - giant redwoods in California, cherry blossoms in Tokyo, baobabs in Africa, but some of the stories behind the trees are unexpected and fascinating. Personally I learnt a lot from this book! Definitely interested in traveling to New Caledonia to see trees with blue sap and also hunting down a tree that bleeds red. Plus I now have a new appreciation of corks.
A really fascinating book - highly recommended.

As a member of Kew Gardens, this book was such a delight to read for me. Like the author, I'm also in love with trees and Kew Gardens, and it fascinates me to learn more about them.

The theme of this book is an excellent one as one can learn about the countries through their trees while learning about the trees themselves. The illustrations are beautiful and a joy to look et. I believe this would make an excellent book for every nature lover out there.

Love this book. A perfect blend of nature, science, botany, lore and philosophy. If you love trees then this is the book for you. If you are indifferent then this may be the book to make you reconsider their joy and imprtance.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'm definitely not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to trees, so there was a lot here for me to take away. The artwork was beautiful and very helpful, as well. I think my only complaint about the book is I was hoping for more information about the locations where the trees grow. Most of the information was about the trees themselves but I think I would have found it more enjoyable had we been given more history of the places covered, as well.

I've recently discovered a new love of trees. Perhaps I can thank the pandemic and a newfound appreciation for the "little" things. This book takes you around the world via trees. It's not a field guide, it won't help much with identification, but it gives an overview of 80 trees, divided into chapters based on where they originated. There are no photographs, but instead beautiful illustrations (the mangrove trees must be especially stunning in person!). I found this an interesting read for anyone interested in the stories of trees.

Thank you for NetGalley for the chance to preview this book.

I only have good things to say about this book. Part travelogue, part field guide, this book is a real treat. I love that it reads like short stories that take readers on a journey around the word unveiling facts about history, city planning, etymology, animal behavior, anything really. I will definitely look different at trees in my future travels after reading this book. I particularly enjoyed the illustrations, it makes the book feel like a nature journal. Another favorite of mine: all the resources at the end of the book for those who want to keep the journey.
Excellent book. I am very grateful for the chance to read it and review it.

Intelligently written, informative and beautifully presented.

This book is about trees of the world. It is not about notable individuals, but about tree species. Organised by geographic distribution, each entry describes the tree, including pollination method. The entries include history, pathology, economic, medicinal, ethnobotanic use, and the tree's place in the ecosystem.

Drori is a dendrophile, and it shows. He draws the reader in with his love of trees, and his ability to present information clearly to the layperson.

My thanks to NetGalley and Laurence King Publishing Ltd for the ARC.

Trees are SO interesting! This book has more great information about trees than any book I've read (admittedly, I haven't read many books about trees that were more than a mere tree identification book). I highly recommend it!

I need no encouragement to enthuse about trees, and loved the time spent in these pages. An ideal gift for someone who likes trees, a good companion for a walk or inspiration on a rainy day.

This was an interesting read as I learned a lot about various trees. It was a nice selection and I really liked all the beautiful illustrations.

The pdf review copy I received did not work very well. It kept freezing in my reader and I was only able to see some of the pages. Too bad the publisher didn't send a epub. They work so much better. As a result, I can't really review the book thought the pages I did see were very interesting.

This book is much, much better than you'd expect from the cover or jacket description. Not only does the author give us so mush detailed information on the trees he has seen in his travels, there are beautiful illustrations of the tress. A wonderful way to spend a day or evening, is to walk your neighborhood and identify the trees in the area or find a park land that has planted with diverse trees and plants. Include your children or grandchildren and give them a love of outdoors that they can cherish while building great memories. Jonathan Drori also gives us many stories based on his tree traveling days. The book is very entertaining and educational.. It can be enjoyed by all age groups.

I loved this book. I am a literal as well as a figurative tree hugger so I loved the tales of the different trees here. Some of these I have seen and others I would love to visit.

Stressed and Tired? Need something to take you right out of the grind of daily life and into another world that rejuvenates you?
For me there is nothing better than taking a walk amongst trees. But sometimes, for reasons of weather or work commitments, going out is not an option. So taking a literary saunter through the wonder that is Around the World in 80 Trees has to be the best non-medical, armchair intervention to daily woes.
Within this exquisite volume’s leaves (pun intended), Jonathan Drori’s comprehensive knowledge and wit combines with Lucielle Clerc’s gorgeous illustrations to provide a feast for the mind and eyes. They are a combination of talents guaranteed to stir a respect for and love of trees even in those dedicated to hard landscaping as an effort-free gardening option.
If you think a book about the green things that plaster your garden with pesky piles of leaves in autumn, or splatter sticky sap all over your car is not something to get excited about, Around the World in 80 Trees will go a long way to melting your heart and make you take a really good look at your towering and more modest arboreal neighbours. This is not a dry tome of plant taxonomy, but more a celebration of the everyday and not so everyday trees which can be found around the world.
Although not a book for experts, Lucielle Clerc’s illustrations are not just window dressing, they depict the details of the trees with great precision, rendered in a way that made me yearn to get into the great outdoors again to consider them in the context of Drori’s writing, which makes the trees the main protagonists in a collection of short stories.
The illustrations spill onto the pages of text as if Drori is standing under the tree he is describing, and its leaves and fruits have fallen on it while he is writing; or because he is gathering materials for a herbarium. At times the words disappear to be replaced by facing pages of illustrative and informative gorgeousness.
The description details geographic distribution, flowers, leaves, fruits etc., often in a detailed way, which asks the reader to really think about what they may see on the actual tree in a way that a botanist or ecologist might. But there is also added depth in terms of folktales, folk uses and possible applications in the modern world.
In other words, a reader with little or no knowledge of trees should be able to identify them and understand where they fit in to the world in terms of ecological and social interactions with humans.
Around the World in 80 Trees is a comprehensive tree tour served up as a satisfying light snack which should stimulate further interest in the curious.
With every page a joy, Around the World in 80 Trees is a book which makes a brilliant present, because no matter how many times the reader picks it up there is always something in which to delight and feed the soul.