Tree Story: The History of the World Written in Rings

by Valerie Trouet Narrated by Coleen Marlo

Overview

Trouet, a leading tree-ring scientist, takes us out into the field, from remote African villages to radioactive Russian forests, offering readers an insider's look at tree-ring research, a discipline formally known as dendrochronology. Tracing her own professional journey while exploring dendrochronology's history and applications, Trouet describes the basics of how tell-tale tree cores are collected and dated with ring-by-ring precision, explaining the unexpected and momentous insights we've gained from the resulting samples.



Blending popular science, travelogue, and cultural history, Tree Story highlights exciting findings of tree-ring research, including the fate of lost pirate treasure, successful strategies for surviving California wildfire, the secret to Genghis Khan's victories, the connection between Egyptian pharaohs and volcanoes, and even the role of olives in the fall of Rome. These fascinating tales are deftly woven together to show us how dendrochronology sheds light on global climate dynamics and uncovers the clear links between humans and our leafy neighbors. Trouet delights us with her dedication to the tangible appeal of studying trees, a discipline that has taken her to austere and beautiful landscapes around the globe and has enabled scientists to solve long-pondered mysteries of Earth and its human inhabitants.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Trouet writes that the purpose of this book is to excite people about science, and she succeeds by creating an engaging, credible work sprinkled with anecdotes . . . With this brief, accessible look at the wisdom of tree rings, Trouet draws readers into a narrative that clearly displays her joy for her work and offers some fun with word play.
—Library Journal

An accomplished and globally recognized dendroclimatologist, Trouet is knowledgeable across diverse fields of science and is a talented writer and engaging storyteller. Drawing from a diversity of tree-ring research and interdisciplinary collaborations, Trouet chronicles fascinating examples of how dendrochronology helps to answer questions about past environments and human history.
—Science

If you enjoy great science reads, add this one to your list. Now.
—Nature's Cool Green Science

Tree Story is a sublime example of what booksellers have lately started calling smart non-fiction: sophisticated academic books for a broad audience (often published by American university presses) that are just a few notches above the yuck- or wow-factor of more generic popular science. The excellent clarity and pacing that Trouet brings to this fascinating topic meant I that tore through Tree Story in a day. If I added ratings to my reviews, this book would be a ten out of ten. Already, this is a very strong contender for my book of the year
—Inquisitive Biologist

A persuasive, entertaining explanation of how the codes contained in tree rings reveal the wide-ranging effects of climate change.
—Shelf Awareness

Tree Story gives readers a lively, sometimes visceral feel for Trouet's work.
—Science News

Tree Story is everything I had hoped it would be: intelligent, accessible, witty, and captivating—a global adventure spanning millennia and embracing a bevy of unexpected topics, all resulting from the study of tree rings.
—Washington Independent Review of Books

In her delightful Tree Story, dendrochronologist Valerie Trouet obliterates the layman's notion that tree rings provide little more information than a tree's age. What trees can teach seems limited only by science's ability to extract the information.
—Foreword Reviews

Part memoir, part field diary, part lucid and engaging science communication, Tree Story moves from the finest micron-level of individual tree rings to the deep geological time of the planet and the world-wrapping forces of its climate. Trouet's account of her career, far from what we might imagine to be the dull work of counting tree rings, reads like an exciting adventure story, complete with far-flung locales, the ridiculous macho pretensions of male coworkers, and the ever present thrum of the ancient magic that seems to emanate from the trees themselves.
—Lady Science

The chapters spill over with information and would be overwhelming were it not for the book's organization, the images and digital illustrations, and the author's ability to share her scholarly adventures with such evident enjoyment.
—Seattle Book Review

Enjoyable and accessible. Drawing on a rich array of examples from around the world, the lively book is full of thought-provoking discussion of our relationships with trees and the climate.
—Current World Archaeology

Tree Story is a work of science, of graphs and statistics. But Trouet recounts too the personal thrill of discovery, the camaraderie and competitiveness of academic science, and the arduous nature of her research.
—The Spectator

Tree Story offers a passionate yet clear-eyed introduction into the field of dendrochronology.
—Cincinnati Public Radio News

Tree Story is well-written, often with great phrasing and much humour, and gives a welcome insight into the people and personalities behind the science . . . [It's] another example of great science communication, often dealing with quite technical matters, but in an accessible way for both the non-specialist scientist and the intelligent lay person. But it's not just about great story-telling, Tree Story has much of pedagogic value as well, and would make a great text for a plants-and-people course.
—Botany One

Here, we are taken on a fascinating journey through history, as remembered by the trees of the world. Trouet weaves together stories from the field and the lab to demonstrate that there is far more to studying tree rings than counting them.
—BBC Wildlife Magazine

It's all in the tree rings—and trees don't lie.
—The Daily Express

The book has already been reviewed and recommended in many places, and highlighted as an excellent work of popular science. Here I would like to recommend the book to be used as a textbook for students being exposed to scientific ideas and methods, to arouse their curiosity and show them how diverse fields like natural science and human history interact.
—Tree-Ring Research

Valerie Trouet's book is an excellent starting point to explore the relationships between trees and people and to look at the expectations and disappointments on the way to developing a way to communicate not only about but also with trees.
—Edge Effects

If tree rings are the scribes of history, Valerie Trouet is their chief scrivener. Highly recommended.
—Plant Science Bulletin

[Tree Story's] geeky enthusiasm . . . makes the entire book such a pleasure to read.
—Rain Taxi Review of Books

Tree Story should be well-received by a variety of readers, professional and non-professional alike . . . The book is well-written and designed, with good pacing that intermixes entertaining and informative narrative in focused chapters that are not overlong.
—Maritime Archaeological and Historical Society

In this primer, a dendrochronologist explains how tree rings reveal the past via a science that exists 'at the nexus of ecology, climatology and human history.'
—New York Times (New & Noteworthy)

Maritime Archaeological and Historical Society

Tree Story should be well-received by a variety of readers, professional and non-professional alike . . . The book is well-written and designed, with good pacing that intermixes entertaining and informative narrative in focused chapters that are not overlong.

Rain Taxi Review of Books

[Tree Story's] geeky enthusiasm . . . makes the entire book such a pleasure to read.

Foreword Reviews

In her delightful Tree Story, dendrochronologist Valerie Trouet obliterates the layman's notion that tree rings provide little more information than a tree's age. What trees can teach seems limited only by science's ability to extract the information.

BBC Wildlife Magazine

Here, we are taken on a fascinating journey through history, as remembered by the trees of the world. Trouet weaves together stories from the field and the lab to demonstrate that there is far more to studying tree rings than counting them.

The Spectator

Tree Story is a work of science, of graphs and statistics. But Trouet recounts too the personal thrill of discovery, the camaraderie and competitiveness of academic science, and the arduous nature of her research.

Plant Science Bulletin

If tree rings are the scribes of history, Valerie Trouet is their chief scrivener. Highly recommended.

Current World Archaeology

Enjoyable and accessible. Drawing on a rich array of examples from around the world, the lively book is full of thought-provoking discussion of our relationships with trees and the climate.

New York Times (New & Noteworthy)

In this primer, a dendrochronologist explains how tree rings reveal the past via a science that exists 'at the nexus of ecology, climatology and human history.'

Inquisitive Biologist

Tree Story is a sublime example of what booksellers have lately started calling smart non-fiction: sophisticated academic books for a broad audience (often published by American university presses) that are just a few notches above the yuck- or wow-factor of more generic popular science. The excellent clarity and pacing that Trouet brings to this fascinating topic meant I that tore through Tree Story in a day. If I added ratings to my reviews, this book would be a ten out of ten. Already, this is a very strong contender for my book of the year

Tree-Ring Research

The book has already been reviewed and recommended in many places, and highlighted as an excellent work of popular science. Here I would like to recommend the book to be used as a textbook for students being exposed to scientific ideas and methods, to arouse their curiosity and show them how diverse fields like natural science and human history interact.

Science

An accomplished and globally recognized dendroclimatologist, Trouet is knowledgeable across diverse fields of science and is a talented writer and engaging storyteller. Drawing from a diversity of tree-ring research and interdisciplinary collaborations, Trouet chronicles fascinating examples of how dendrochronology helps to answer questions about past environments and human history.

Science News

Tree Story gives readers a lively, sometimes visceral feel for Trouet's work.

Cincinnati Public Radio News

Tree Story offers a passionate yet clear-eyed introduction into the field of dendrochronology.

Washington Independent Review of Books

Tree Story is everything I had hoped it would be: intelligent, accessible, witty, and captivating—a global adventure spanning millennia and embracing a bevy of unexpected topics, all resulting from the study of tree rings.

Shelf Awareness

A persuasive, entertaining explanation of how the codes contained in tree rings reveal the wide-ranging effects of climate change.

Seattle Book Review

The chapters spill over with information and would be overwhelming were it not for the book's organization, the images and digital illustrations, and the author's ability to share her scholarly adventures with such evident enjoyment.

Botany One

Tree Story is well-written, often with great phrasing and much humour, and gives a welcome insight into the people and personalities behind the science . . . [It's] another example of great science communication, often dealing with quite technical matters, but in an accessible way for both the non-specialist scientist and the intelligent lay person. But it's not just about great story-telling, Tree Story has much of pedagogic value as well, and would make a great text for a plants-and-people course.

Lady Science

Part memoir, part field diary, part lucid and engaging science communication, Tree Story moves from the finest micron-level of individual tree rings to the deep geological time of the planet and the world-wrapping forces of its climate. Trouet's account of her career, far from what we might imagine to be the dull work of counting tree rings, reads like an exciting adventure story, complete with far-flung locales, the ridiculous macho pretensions of male coworkers, and the ever present thrum of the ancient magic that seems to emanate from the trees themselves.

Edge Effects

Valerie Trouet's book is an excellent starting point to explore the relationships between trees and people and to look at the expectations and disappointments on the way to developing a way to communicate not only about but also with trees.

Nature's Cool Green Science

If you enjoy great science reads, add this one to your list. Now.

The Daily Express

It's all in the tree rings—and trees don't lie.

Plant Science Bulletin - Lytton John Musselman

"If tree rings are the scribes of history, Valerie Trouet is their chief scrivener. Highly recommended."

Edge Effects - Solvejg Nitzke

"Valerie Trouet's book is an excellent starting point to explore the relationships between trees and people and to look at the expectations and disappointments on the way to developing a way to communicate not only about but also with trees."

New York Times

"April 2020 New and Noteworthy Book"

Tree-Ring Research - Katarina Cufar

"The book has already been reviewed and recommended in many places, and highlighted as an excellent work of popular science. Here I would like to recommend the book to be used as a textbook for students being exposed to scientific ideas and methods, to arouse their curiosity and show them how diverse fields like natural science and human history interact."

Botany One - Nigel Chaffey

"Tree Story is well-written, often with great phrasing and much humour, and gives a welcome insight into the people and personalities behind the science... Tree Story is another example of great science communication, often dealing with quite technical matters, but in an accessible way for both the non-specialist scientist and the intelligent lay person... But it's not just about great story-telling, Tree Story has much of pedagogic value as well, and would make a great text for a plants-and-people course."

Science News - Carolyn Gramling

"Tree Story gives readers a lively, sometimes visceral feel for Trouet's work."

The Spectator - Philip Marsden

"Tree Story is a work of science, of graphs and statistics... But Trouet recounts too the personal thrill of discovery, the camaraderie and competitiveness of academic science, and the arduous nature of her research."

Science - Lori Daniels

"An accomplished and globally recognized dendroclimatologist, Trouet is knowledgeable across diverse fields of science and is a talented writer and engaging storyteller... Drawing from a diversity of tree-ring research and interdisciplinary collaborations, Trouet chronicles fascinating examples of how dendrochronology helps to answer questions about past environments and human history."

Foreword Reviews - Matt Sutherland

"In her delightful Tree Story, dendrochronologist Valerie Trouet obliterates the layman's notion that tree rings provide little more information than a tree's age... What trees can teach seems limited only by science's ability to extract the information."

Washington Independent Review of Books - Jennifer Bort Yacovissi

"Valerie Trouet's Tree Story: The History of the World Written in Rings is everything I had hoped it would be: intelligent, accessible, witty, and captivating — a global adventure spanning millennia and embracing a bevy of unexpected topics, all resulting from the study of tree rings."

Seattle Book Review - Jane Manaster

"The chapters spill over with information and would be overwhelming were it not for the book's organization, the images and digital illustrations, and the author's ability to share her scholarly adventures with such evident enjoyment."

BBC Wildlife Magazine - Dr. Emma Bush

"Here, we are taken on a fascinating journey through history, as remembered by the trees of the world. Trouet weaves together stories from the field and the lab to demonstrate that there is far more to studying tree rings than counting them."

Cincinnati Public Radio News - Roberta Schultz

"Tree Story: The History of the World Written in Rings, offers a passionate, yet clear-eyed introduction, into the field of dendrochronology."

Lady Science - Anna Reser

"Part memoir, part field diary, part lucid and engaging science communication, Tree Story moves from the finest micron-level of individual tree rings to the deep geological time of the planet and the world-wrapping forces of its climate. Trouet's account of her career, far from what we might imagine to be the dull work of counting tree rings, reads like an exciting adventure story, complete with far-flung locales, the ridiculous macho pretensions of male coworkers, and the ever present thrum of the ancient magic that seems to emanate from the trees themselves."

Library Journal

03/01/2020

Trouet (Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, Univ. of Arizona) demonstrates how dendrochronology can be used to identify natural events and how that correlates with our human history. For example, a narrow tree ring indicates a dry year, explaining how something like a drought prompted a mass migration. Tree rings can also show how global warming is quickening. Yet, rather than lingering on the negative, Trouet celebrates the scientific processes and discoveries of her work and that of her colleagues, such as collaborative investigations of everything from stalagmites to sunken Spanish ships that pair with environmental events such as volcanic activity, hurricanes, snow droughts, earthquakes, tsunamis, and forest fires. Trouet writes that the purpose of this book is to excite people about science, and she succeeds by creating an engaging, credible work sprinkled with anecdotes. VERDICT With this brief, accessible look at the wisdom of tree rings, Trouet draws readers into a narrative that clearly displays her joy for her work and offers some fun with word play. [For a fictional account about the significance of trees in our lives, see Michael Christie's novel Greenwood, reviewed on p. 81.—Ed.]—Elissa Cooper, Helen Plum Memorial Lib., Lombard, IL

Product Details

BN ID:	2940176085372
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	08/25/2020
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	996,962

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