Disappointing

I really, really wanted to love this book. My reading about rewilding so far has been fascinating, exciting, a call to action and a call for change. What I read here felt selfish; a man who wants the world to be different because he doesn’t feel right. Instead of allowing the wild to be the beneficiary of change, it is all about the author. He wants to feel the excitement of his global, Enid Blyton-esque adventures so that he can be pretentiously descriptive about them in his next book! The UK must change! One part in particular had me almost throw my phone across the room. Talking to a young farmer (and managing to patronise him and relegate his mother entirely from the narrative) he utterly misses the point that rewilding has to be a choice. It is an option.

The aspect of this book that I found most engaging was the information about farming subsidies and how these are framed to literally prevent nature and wildlife returning to land scoured by agriculture. I’ll be doing more reading on this.

If you found this book frustrating and want something more real and grounded, do read Wilding by Isabella Tree.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

26 people found this helpful

Depth and breadth of analysis of complex topic, mixed with personal quest.

I wanted to read this book in a quest to understand the purpose and potential value of rewilding in the UK, and beyond.
The book provided far more; articulating feelings of yearning, frustration, fear and confusion that I could relate to. And giving some answers to how, in our probably overpopulated country, to redress balance.
The breadth and depth were a welcome surprise. On top of the current ecological analysis Mr Monbiot addresses ecological and cultural history, wrapped up in ‘wild’ personal adventures, and thought provoking autobiographical perspective.
I was gripped until the very last sentence. Far from being the final word it opened the door to a myriad of new questions and thoughts. It has fuelled my need to understand what is the role that I and everyone else could/should do to address the dire environmental, climate and biodiversity crises. And the role of hope in making that seem a possibility is very welcome.
Mr Monbiot’s reading certainly enhanced listening to his book.
Highly recommended!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

8 people found this helpful

What an absolute eye-opener. Essential reading!

I'm studying Environmental Science and, through my studies and other books read, have learnt a lot over the past couple of years. Listening to this book as tought me a whole lot more!

Exciting and insightful, from history and and current affairs to biographical adventures and a hopeful future of ideas and process I truly hope continue/come to pass.

Whether you're interested in ecology, nature in general, or biographies of interesting individuals or wildlife, please read this book.

Fantastic narration to boot.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

important book

sometimes joyful, sometimes hard to here. overall an inspiring book with a very important message.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

An inspiring and thought provoking book

Listened to the whole book with great interest. I learnt so much about the history of the natural world it has really inspired me to do my bit.

A must for anyone who cares about the lack of biodiversity in our countryside.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

Anazing

I listened to it, then listened again.

Just the sort of comprehensive, fascinating, in depth work I was hoping it would be.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

Excellent read

Tells you where we are with nature by an expert
Thoroughly recommended for any student of ecology at any age .

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Necessary

Couldn't get enough, the vocabulary and narrative choices make the exploration of these ideas as rich and diverse as the subject matter. It is also an important text

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

A wonderful book

I think this book is very important and inspiring . I wish success for anybody trying to encourage what it all says.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Inspiring

I felt in equal measure fascination and despair, Monbiot has opened my already opens eyes, wider still. A beautifully researched written and narrated book I highly recommend - we all need to read this and pass it on to as many people as we possibly can - I should be on the schools reading list. Thank you GM for your love of the wild world

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!