As you probably know, most of the reviews in this space are of new books, and the majority relate to birds. We do cover some titles relating to other aspects of natural history and conservation, and from time to time we visit an older book. The older books we review are often little-known titles that we believe deserve wider attention.
Tom Wessels’ book Reading the Forested Landscape lies squarely in this category. First published in 1997, this book is focused on a rather small geographic area, central New England. The book is fairly well known in that region. It is used by students in some college natural history programs in the area [including the Web Manager who studied at UVM], and the copy I just read was sent by friends who live in southern New Hampshire. They sensed that I would like the book. They were right.
Wessels looks at landscapes as the sum of the components, a refreshing view in an era when too many of us look at only the parts that interest us. How many avid birders are out there who can’t identify many trees, don’t know the reptiles, and don’t even notice the salamanders and beetles? It’s impossible to develop an encyclopedic knowledge of every element of natural history, and Wessels doesn’t suggest we need to do that. It is important, however, to keep the senses sharp and to pay attention.
Once you learn how to look, the author suggests, then the world becomes a series of great mysteries. His challenge to the readers is simple: take a good look at a forested area and find the clues that will tell you the history of that patch. The chapters in this book are basically “natural mysteries.” Forests are described and depicted by artwork and we are challenged to solve the mystery. As Wessels describes each forest patch, he gradually gives us clues to the solution. It becomes an extremely fun book to read, more interesting to me than hackneyed murder mysteries. Work your way through all of the chapters and you’ll find yourself wanting to head outside and put your newfound skills to work in the forests of your neighborhood.
Admittedly, you will be better prepared for your field exercises if you travel to the New England region described in Reading the Forested Landscape, yet the ideas and principles are transferable to other areas. Above all, you’re bound to pay closer attention to details in the landscape after reading this book.
Looking for a negative comment? I do have one, though it’s not unique to this book. I’m amazed at how often I’ll read an obviously overblown claim in a book’s introduction. I’ve seen books where an author suggests filling a dump truck with other books on his subject and heaving them into a bottomless abyss. I’ve read field guides that claim to be the first to do this or that, when other well-known books exist to prove the claims wrong. My only qualm with Reading the Forested Landscape is the certainty with which the author asserts that virtually nobody else looks at landscapes as he does. I don’t know, maybe it’s true, but that’s not something I needed to read in his introduction. It made me want to dislike the book. Fortunately, none of that hubris is found elsewhere and Wessels’ book is a truly great read.
Wessels, Tom. Reading the Forested Landscape: A Natural History of New England. Woodstock, VT, The Countryman Press, 1997. 199 pages, paperback edition $18.95. ISBN-10: 0-88150-420-3; ISBN-13: 978-0-88150-420-0.