The Genius of Trees

Sublime … Through the scenes we glimpse an Indiana Jones figure who is both an eminent, travelling scientist and a born writer … Dazzling … Non-fiction rarely sees a debut like The Genius of Trees. It is a true masterpiece – Horatio Clare * Daily Telegraph, 5 stars *A mind-blowing and erudite account of how trees created the world around us … Harriet Rix presents trees as an awesome force of nature – GuardianVery few book reviewers are so captivated that they read the book carefully from end to end - not once, but twice. That is my boast about this extraordinary first work from Harriet Rix … Rix has given us a completely new vision of how trees came to dominate our continents * Country Life *Extensively researched [and] elegantly written … Trees emerge as entities which are just as dynamic as animals - including, dare one say, humans * Literary Review *A wondrous spreading canopy of a book that gives us trees as we’ve never seen them before: as dynamic forces, founders of our world, and agents of their own destiny - as well as ours. This is science writing at its best - beautifully explained, brilliantly written and perception-changing – Isabella Tree, author of WildingAn exceptional book. Up to date scientifically, beautifully clear for all of us, it changes our entire view of trees while carrying us to other worlds and times. Enchantingly written, it has personal touches which unite science, travel and fine literature and lead us by the hand through woods we never understood before – Robin Lane Fox, historian and gardening correspondent for the Financial TimesA compelling journey of a book, full of wonder and revelation. Highly recommended – Sue Stuart-Smith, author of the Sunday Times bestselling The Well Gardened MindIf I was dazzled by nature and in awe of trees before I read this book, I now know how much we are indebted to them for the way they have shepherded life on earth for millions of years – Kirsty Wark, television presenter and journalistFascinating and evocative, an intimate ride into the magical world of trees. This book contains everything you ever wanted to know - and so much you never knew you wanted to know - about these incredible organisms – Chris Fitch, author of Wild CitiesAn ambitious and stunningly expansive investigation into the role trees play in shaping our natural world … Few come better qualified than Rix … The Genius of Trees feels like a particularly timely reminder of the importance of protecting natural resources * Northern Echo *

Harriet Rix is a tree science consultant and writer. She was formerly based at the Tree Council where she supported Defra in researching tree diseases and urban tree strategies. Before joining the tree sector, she worked in landmine clearance in the Middle East. She acted as scientific advisor on Adrian Grenier’s climate documentary, was secretary of Hedgelink and is trustee of the Iraqi environmental charity Hasar. Rix holds a biochemistry degree from the University of Oxford and an MPhil in the history and philosophy of science from the University of Cambridge. She was a London Library Emerging Writer, and her writing and photography has been published in the Financial Times, London Review of Books, Times Literary Supplement and more. The Genius of Trees is her first book.