Product Description

This is the 100th volume of the prestigious "New Naturalist" series, written by one of Britain's best-known naturalists, explores the significance and history of woodlands on the British landscape. 'Trees are wildlife just as deer or primroses are wildlife. Each species has its own agenda and its own interactions with human activities...' This 100th volume of the "New Naturalist" series presents a landmark in natural history publishing. Looking at such diverse evidence as the woods used in buildings and ships, and how woodland has been portrayed in pictures and photographs, Rackham reconstructs British woodland through the ages. Aimed at the non-specialist, "New Naturalist Woodlands" investigates what woods are and how they function. In lively style, Rackham takes us through: how woods evolved and how they are managed, the basic botany (understanding roots, partnerships, longevity, tree-rings), outline of woodland history, pollen analysis and wildwood, archives of woodland and how to study them, different types of woodland, the rise and fall of modern forestry. Illustrated with beautiful colour photographs throughout, this "New Naturalist" is set to be a classic for collectors and general readers alike.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43756 in Books
• Published on: 2006-09-04
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 592 pages

Seven (Sunday Telegraph Supplement) 15th October
"Oliver Rackham is the only person with the depth of knowledge to
write this book"

About the Author
Oliver Rackham is a name synonymous with woodlands. He has written various books on trees and woodland, most recently a second edition of Ancient Woodland: its history, vegetation, and uses in England. Dr Rackham (OBE) is currently Praelector Rhetoricus at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.

Customer Reviews

Great Book
Anyone who has a deep interest in the history of our woodlands and landscape would have read at least a couple of Dr Rackham's excellent books. His most famous is the History of the Countryside (Dent 1986) which gives the reader a real insight to just how our landscape came to be. His work Trees and Woodland in the British Landscape (Dent 1976) is long accepted as the best work on the subject, Rackham's book being both a comprehensive history of Britain's woodlands and a fieldwork guide that presents tree individually and as part of the landscape.

After many years we now have Woodlands. It's been quite a wait for Rackham fans but worth every minute. This new work focuses on new historical discoveries and theories. It puts woodlands within today's context. In previous books the then current issues of inappropriate management by bodies, such the Forestry Commission and the National Trust, and the threat of acid rain are mentioned. We now have Climate Change and the ongoing march of over-development. The carbon neutral con-trick is highlighted by Dr Rackham. He points out that planning trees cannot stop Climate Change, as they can't live long enough. He continues to point out the dangers of inappropriate tree planting and the need to manage and sustain our woodland heritage. The ongoing menace of grey squirrels also gets a mention.

This book, aimed at the non-specialist, investigates what woods are and how they function. In lively style, Rackham takes us through how woods evolved and how they are managed. Basic botany such as understanding roots, longevity and tree-rings are covered. The outline of woodland history, pollen analysis and wildwood, archives of woodland and how to study them, different types of woodland, the rise and fall of modern forestry. The book is illustrated with colour photographs.

A magnificent volume
Oliver Rackham is both an engaging and crafty writer. His well known History of the English Landscape is available in several guises and so he has rather cornered the market so to speak. What cannot be denied is that his books are a delight to read and this volume can save you the trouble of buying all his others...It is astonishing. It is humbling to be told just how little we know about the woodland history of Britain and a fascinating historical journey. I am studying woodland history at college and I cannot imagine a better text to prepare a student of ecology or landscape history for this vast subject. I have spent the past few weeks utterly engrossed. Tremendous , magnificent. Another great book in the New Naturalist series and a marvellous record of our current knowledge by a great natural history writer. Buy it and your perception of landscape will be changed forever.

Not what I was expecting - It was much better than that!
What I thought would be a ramble through a wood turned out to be a fascinating and enlightening guided walk through both time and nature, lead by a knowledgeable and entertaining guide. This book takes the reader through the history and ecology of woodlands in Great Britain and Ireland, showing how woods have been managed (and mismanaged) over the centuries. A must for anyone interested in the countryside and how it came about.