From one of our greatest science writers, this biography of a beech-and-bluebell wood through diverse moods and changing seasons combines stunning natural history with the ancient history of the countryside to tell the full story of the British landscape. 'The woods are the great beauty of this country. A fine forest-like beech wood far more beautiful than anything else which we have seen in its vicinity' is how John Stuart Mill described a small patch of beech-and bluebell woodland, buried deeply in the Chiltern Hills and now owned by Richard Fortey. Drawing upon a lifetime of scientific expertise and abiding love of nature, Fortey uses his small wood to tell a wider story of the ever-changing British landscape, human influence on the countryside over many centuries and the vital interactions between flora, fauna and fungi. The trees provide a majestic stage for woodland animals and plants to reveal their own stories. Fortey presents his wood as an interwoven collection of different habitats rich in species. His attention ranges from the beech and cherry trees that dominate the wood to the flints underfoot; the red kites and woodpeckers that soar overhead; the lichens, mosses and liverworts decorating the branches as well as the myriad species of spiders, moths, beetles and crane-flies. The 300 species of fungi identified in the wood capture his attention as much as familiar deer, shrews and dormice.

Fortey is a naturalist who believes that all organisms are as interesting as human beings - and certainly more important than the observer. So this book is a close examination of nature and human history. He proves that poetic writing is compatible with scientific precision. The book is filled with details of living animals and plants, charting the passage of the seasons, visits by fellow enthusiasts; the play of light between branches; the influence of geology; and how woodland influences history, architecture and industry. On every page he shows how an intimate study of one small wood can reveal so much about the natural world and demonstrates his relish for the incomparable pleasures of discovery. Gold title - In the tradition of Oliver Rackham and Roger Deakin - a natural history of woodland written by a proper science writer: involving botany, microbiology, mycology and the organic history of the people who have lived there - how jams were made and woodwork etc. - In part a riposte to contemporary landscape writing epitomised by Robert MacFarlane which has little basis in science: Fortey offers literary, elegant nature writing that has real scientific depth - your perfect guide to the natural marvels all around you. He believes living animals and plants are as interesting as human beings and certainly more important than the observer.

- A return to the type of writing epitomised in Richard's 'Dry Store Room No.1', which sold 36k. He is also the author of 'Earth' (53k) and 'Life' (45k). Comps include: Robert MacFarlane's 'The Old Ways' (136k), Roger Deakin's work (203k), especially 'Wildwood' (105k), 'The Shepherd's Life', Bill Bryson (Notes From a small Island - 1m) and David Attenborough. - Richard's BBC4 series Survivors was a critical hit - and gave the world the chance to see him in all his glory. He has just finished filming a new series for BBC2 - Islands of Evolution - TX date TBC. He is one of the best writers we publish and a world famous palaeontologist with a passion for Trilobites, fungi, and the natural world in all its glories. He's the best companion on any walk - musing on the life cycles of butterflies, bio-diversity and the genus of rare grasses.