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Tax-exempt? | Teaching the Trees Lessons from the Forest As a scientist, Maloof accepts that trees have a spiritual dimension that cannot be quantified. As an unrepentant tree hugger, she finds support in the scientific case for biodiversity. As an activist, she can't help but wonder how much time is left for our forests. Joan Maloof teaches biology and environmental studies at Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland. March 2007 ISBN 082032955X paper • $16.95 176 pp. • 5 x 8.5 in. • 19 b&w photos"Walk along with Joan Maloof through a forest, and you will see, hear, and smell stories better than anything on the Discovery Channel or, for that matter, in the Brothers Grimm. These are parables to live with, offered by a storyteller-biologist who is one part Thoreau on fruits, one part Alcock on insects, and one part Rilke on poetry." —Julia Butterfly Hill"The heartwood of this book harbors a kind of genius in fine and even grain: the power to look at the familiar and reveal for us its magic as for the very first time. From deep and soulful roots this book rises into a work of love and wonder, crowned by a high, overarching intelligence that changes forever our wide view of the surrounding world." —Carl Safina, author of Song for the Blue Ocean and Eye of the Albatross"Trees, the dominant life form of most undisturbed terrestrial ecosystems, get a fitting tribute in this engaging collection of eco-meditations. . . . The resulting mix of scientific lore and acute personal observation makes for a beguiling walk in the woods."-Publishers Weekly "An impassioned take on the sacred nature of trees, with natural-history essays touching on their critical role in all our lives."-Body + Soul "A fascinating study of what is going on in and under our very noses when walking through nature's blessed wonder-the natural forest. . . . Her book combines astute awareness with keen intellect. If this is the teaching style her students are accustomed to, they are to be envied."-Patrice Tappee, Rapid River Magazine "A lovely collection of essays as spur and solace. . . . A biologist by training, the author makes good use of poetry and history to demonstrate the connections between the trees and the rest of the planet's inhabitants. A gem."-Rebecca Maksel, Booklist "Interpolating her observations about the natural world with words by poet Rainer Rilke, biologist Maloof examines forest ecology, often from the perspective of the mast and microfauna on the forest floor-weevils that inhabit acorns, snails that live in rich debris below trees, and parasitic wasps that dwell on a species of leafminer found only on the American holly. Clearly, to know such details is to care about them."-Chris Dodge, Utne "As an ardent admirer of all things arboreal, Maloof eloquently entices readers to share her passion for preserving and appreciating them."-Viveka Neveln, American Gardener "Her fine and fascinating book is something of a family album of the beloved trees of her forest, on Maryland's eastern shore. . . . With science, poetry, and certain tough-mindedness, Maloof describes the plant and animal interactions that fill and sustain the forest. . . . In a graceful, direct voice, with deep wisdom and down-to-earth humor, Maloof teaches, celebrates, and pleads for her family of trees."-Stephanie Mills, ForeWord "Maloof breathes in the special qualities of 'old-growth' air and mourns the lack of 'grandfather trees,' but most fascinating are the tales of interwoven life in the trees. With a winning combination of science and poetry, Maloof makes her case for compassion and wonder."-The Portsmouth Herald"With a winning combination of science and poetry...Teaching the Trees makes an impassioned plea for the lives of trees and forests by introducing them to us one by one."-The Portsmouth Herald "Occasionally a book comes along that has the making of being a naturalist's or ecologist's hidden treasure chest. This is such a book. ...Joan Maloof transforms an ordinary experience into an astonishingly educational adventure...This marvelous, beautifully written book is essential reading for everybody who loves trees, forests, and the other biota living in, on, under, and around them. ...The author and publisher deserve the highest praise for a job extremely well done. Most highly recommended."-International Hawkwatcher "Maloof reveals little known facts about the trees we all thought we knew so well and many of the other organisms with which they interact. She is a skilled and engaging storyteller. This small book is suitable for anyone who enjoys reading about nature and is fascinated by the many unseen interactions between organisms."-Southeastern Naturalist |
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