On December 18, 1999, Julia Butterfly Hill's feet touched the ground for the first time in over two years, as she descended from "Luna," a thous... read full description
reviews
Dec 17, 2009
treehugger
rated it: 
This book is truly incredible, and I only wish everyone in this country would read it and receive it's meaning. While certainly not winning any prizes for style or literary merit, Julia Butterfly has such a wise and grounded slant on the amazing 2 years that were her life in a Redwood tree.
In many ways I felt a serious kinship with this woman, who was younger than I am now when she made the sacrifices she made, and in others I feel wholly inadequate in comparison.
She i More...
In many ways I felt a serious kinship with this woman, who was younger than I am now when she made the sacrifices she made, and in others I feel wholly inadequate in comparison.
She i More...
0 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
Dec 31, 2007
Christina Stind
rated it: 
I would never spend two years in a tree. I knew that before reading this book and I'm even more convinced now. However, I have the deepest respect for people who put their heart, soul and life into what they believe - at the same time, I'm well aware of the thin line between standing up for what you believe in and becoming a fanatic. On the most part, Julie Butterfly Hill stays on the right side of this line and I'm amazed at how she survived 738 days in an ancient redwood in California to try a
More...
May 24, 2007
MsBrie
rated it: 
This novel provides an autobiography of Julia Hill, and her experience living in a redwood tree for TWO YEARS. At first I thought it would be dull- how could I read a story about a woman living in a tree? I was quickly hooked to this book though. What makes it really fascinating is that Julia wasn’t your typical environmentalist. In fact, until she sat in the tree, she wasn’t an environmentalist at all (she was a business major-gasp!). The Legacy of Luna also points out that the traditional tree
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Mar 25, 2007
aleshia
rated it:
If you have ever been called a tree-hugger, environmentalist, then this book is for you. When I first read this book, I wanted to do everything I could to save our trees, and subsequently almost got in a lot of trouble with the law because of it!
This book is about a young woman, Julie "Butterfly" Hill, who agrees to do a short "tree-sit" in a redwood in Northern Cali. Unknown to her at the time, she would not set foot on the ground again for nearly 2 years! Her sto More...
This book is about a young woman, Julie "Butterfly" Hill, who agrees to do a short "tree-sit" in a redwood in Northern Cali. Unknown to her at the time, she would not set foot on the ground again for nearly 2 years! Her sto More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 01, 2011
Jessica
rated it:
It happened: I was on vacation, less than halfway into the week, and had only one book left with me, so I started borrowing things from my hosts' shelves. This book is one of those books that always sounded vaguely interesting, something I might like to read sometime, but that I'd never bother to get from the library let alone purchase for myself. It's the story of Julia Butterfly Hill's two years living in an ancient redwood tree to protest the logging industry's clear-cutting of the forest. Ms
More...
Jul 04, 2009
Stephen
rated it:
On December 10, 1997, Julia Butterfly Hill climbed 180 feet to the top of a 1,000-year-old redwood in Humboldt County, California. She was not being playful. Her act was one of civil disobedience. The Pacific Lumber Company was about to cut it and the trees around it down.
A small platform, barely big enough for two people, covered by a tarpaulin had been constructed for her “tree sit.” Hill thought she might be off the ground for two, maybe three weeks, but her vigil took much longer More...
A small platform, barely big enough for two people, covered by a tarpaulin had been constructed for her “tree sit.” Hill thought she might be off the ground for two, maybe three weeks, but her vigil took much longer More...
Oct 18, 2009
John
rated it:
I might have given 4 stars instead of 3 only because of the place I'd bought the book and read it, in San Miguel Allende about the middle of my honeymoon. After a week at the beach, then a few days in Guanajuato tooling around and being lazy, we took a bus to SMA because I felt like getting a newspaper or book, in English. I was so starved of the English speaking world I read half the book on the way back to our hotel. I'd have given the book to my good friend, B Kingsolver, but the physical boo
More...
Jan 05, 2009
Eddie
rated it:
What can I say about this book. Really. I bought it by chance one day. I had gone to the bookstore to pick up different book for an environmental literature class I was in. I saw this book. Bought it and read it in one sitting that very night. I could not put it down.
I met Julia Butterfly Hill at a rally in Houston. She is the only person that I've ever been in the presence of and have the feeling that I am in the presence of a Saint. I do not agree with all of her stances More...
I met Julia Butterfly Hill at a rally in Houston. She is the only person that I've ever been in the presence of and have the feeling that I am in the presence of a Saint. I do not agree with all of her stances More...
May 31, 2011
Jill
rated it:
What an inspiration! I LOVED this book. I love the whole idea that this young person with nothing more than a desire to follow her guidance, do the right thing, and help where she could was able to make such a difference in the world! Her story is so moving because her success is a direct result of her willingness to remain rooted in loving intention and peaceful action. She is living proof that peaceful forms of activism ARE effective, and in fact, transformative. I also received a brief e
More...
Oct 24, 2009
Lindsay
rated it:
Ah! This book was fabulous. At first, I thought there is no way I will like this book. A woman living in a tree for two years? How interesting can this be? Oh it was interesting!
I don't think the overview gives the book enough credit! But this books gives you a new sight for what goes on with our forests. I have always been the one to want to save our Earth, but this book makes you want to climb in a tree to protest! This books leaves you with a pair of new eyes and the urge to help More...
I don't think the overview gives the book enough credit! But this books gives you a new sight for what goes on with our forests. I have always been the one to want to save our Earth, but this book makes you want to climb in a tree to protest! This books leaves you with a pair of new eyes and the urge to help More...
Feb 25, 2010
Heather
rated it:
The Legacy of Luna is the autobiography of Julia “Butterfly” Hill. Julia, originally taking a world trip, stopped at Grizzly Creek State Park to see the California redwoods. The beauty of the forest overwhelmed her and she was horrified and called to action when she learned that huge portions of ancient forests were being cut down. She ended up sitting in a nearly 200 foot redwood named Luna for over two years in order to bring some rightful change.
Julia Hill’s determination is unmatched More...
Julia Hill’s determination is unmatched More...
Oct 24, 2008
Ruth
rated it:
I highly recomend this book. Julia Butterfly Hill is the woman who lived for two years 180 feet up in a Redwood tree. When it was happening I heard little news things about it, and I was curious... but I am completely humbled by this first hand account by the woman who did this! Her feet did not touch the ground for 2 years! The story is facinating on every level. For one thing, she's a good writer. Then there's how she ended up in the tree, her personal inner life, the daily particulars of livi
More...
Jun 13, 2008
Janelle
rated it:
Julia was living in Luna while I was in college. I remember being intrigued by her at the time, and meant to read the book when it came out years ago. I'm glad I finally got around to it.
It was nice to hear the story from her point of view - what motivated her to do this, what day-to-day life was like. I'm a camper and I've lived in rustic conditions, and the book did remind me how little we really need to survive, but no way could I have made it up there. I think I would have strug More...
It was nice to hear the story from her point of view - what motivated her to do this, what day-to-day life was like. I'm a camper and I've lived in rustic conditions, and the book did remind me how little we really need to survive, but no way could I have made it up there. I think I would have strug More...
Apr 04, 2008
Christopher
rated it: 
The story was interesting, but her writing was terrible. She lacked depth and thoughtfulness. She frequently did extreme actions just because she 'knew she had to'.
I am very much unimpressed by people who do extreme things because of a feeling with little knowledge or reasoning. This is the sort of thing that leads to suicide bombings and airplane hijacking.
While her cause happened to be good, and those others we see as bad, the motivations are the same.
This book was in no way More...
I am very much unimpressed by people who do extreme things because of a feeling with little knowledge or reasoning. This is the sort of thing that leads to suicide bombings and airplane hijacking.
While her cause happened to be good, and those others we see as bad, the motivations are the same.
This book was in no way More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 30, 2010
Haliation
rated it:
I was pretty excited to pick this up for $4. It's a thoroughly inspiring story about a woman that I have always admired.
The writing quality left a lot to be desired, and there wasn't much for "character development" other than in Julia herself (which is okay, it is about -her- after all).
I give it four stars because I read it in one sitting (without having to force myself) and when I finished, I felt re-inspired to embrace my tree-hugger ways. Lovely.
The writing quality left a lot to be desired, and there wasn't much for "character development" other than in Julia herself (which is okay, it is about -her- after all).
I give it four stars because I read it in one sitting (without having to force myself) and when I finished, I felt re-inspired to embrace my tree-hugger ways. Lovely.
Jun 06, 2009
Elizabeth
rated it:
The Legacy of Luna is the story about Julia Butterfly Hill, who lived in a redwood tree for 2 years to keep it from being logged and to try to raise awareness about the logging of old growth redwood forests. It's an interesting story because it's so unusual, and it's a topic that can easily get me feeling passionate about the environmental movement. But Julia Hill is a very strange person and a very strange writer. She could really have used a stronger editor, if she had one at all. Overall,
More...
Jul 06, 2011
Erin
rated it:
This is a great story about the struggle and history of the forest movement, and it was truly fascinating to read about Julia's experience. I am an environmental activist, and I respect Julia immensely. But I have to say, the writing in this book makes me cringe. In certain parts of the book, I felt as if I was reading a story geared towards children. This is the only reason why I did not enjoy the book.
Aug 05, 2011
I have a lot of respect for Julia Butterfly. This book details her two-year tree-sit to save the 1,500 year old redwood named Luna , and the area surrounding it from being clearcut . It is personal and simply written. This is also a story of activism grounded in prayer and compassion. I don't know that I could do what she did, but Julia Butterfly definitely inspires me to do the best that I can.
Jan 17, 2009
Christina
rated it:
I read this book years ago and it still crosses my mind from time to time. As a self proclaimed tree-hugger, I really felt a connection with Julia "Butterfly" Hill while I read this book. I am still in utter awe that a seemingly normal person could end up dedicating herself in such an extreme way. I wish I could say I was just as capable but I think it truly takes an extraordinary person.
Mar 13, 2011
Carole
rated it:
A quick read about Julia Butterfly Hill as she began an unplanned saga that landed her in a redwood tree for almost 2 years. Butterfly Hill is a remarkable young woman who has learned to follow her heart wherever it takes her and her advocacy is firm without aggression and anger. I read this book because I had listened to an interview with her from IONS and was so very impressed.
Mar 26, 2010
Andrea
rated it:
What a sweet book. I always had a connection with trees, but this book gave my affection for trees flight. I will never look at a tree the same way. Trees are like hands reaching up from Mother Earth to caress our souls. Go sit in a tree for an hour or two and see what happens. It is like spending time with a good friendl......or the best friend.......inside you! Thanks Julia.
Oct 28, 2010
Velma
rated it:
Before I knew him, my husband was one of Julia's ground support crew during her time spent living with Luna. Reading about their experience brought me insight into both of them and their activist lives. Living in Humboldt County before, during, and after the 738 days they spent protecting Luna, this was a must-read for me even if I *didn't* count Julia in my friends now.
Sep 05, 2011
Jacqueline
rated it:
Loved this book! I read it when it first came out, years ago, after I had followed her story in thew news. She is an amazing activist who really stands up for what she believes in. We could all stand to learn to have such passion and activism! I thought it was really interesting to read about her experience of living in that tree. Two thumbs way up!
Feb 04, 2011
Angela
rated it:
I picked this book up when I re-visted Muir Woods in 2006...read it as I traveled north through the redwoods. Previous to reading this, I thought Julia "Butterfly" was a bit of a whack job, but surprisingly, I found her story to be pretty inspiring. As I traveled among these magnificent giants, I connected deeply with her desire to preserve the trees that I have loved since my childhood.
Sep 27, 2009
Kayla
rated it:
This is a very captivating book. I knew nothing about this sort of activism or about the battle for the trees before I read this book. It's a wonderful book that hopefully will inspire change, but I felt a little down after reading it. Where is the justice? Even though the idea of the book is eternal hope and optimism, I finished the book thinking one simple thing; People suck.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Aug 08, 2009
Amanda
rated it:
This was an incredible real life story about Julia Butterfly Hill's two year tree sit, written by Julia herself. I was moved to tears by this book and the depths of her awareness she established with nature while living in this environment, and in the arms of this loving tree. It is one I will remember always....
Dec 20, 2011
Cloe
rated it:
A wonderful read about a connection becoming ever rarer in our modern, industrial civilization. That between a human, and nature. This instance is the race to save the life of this tree called Luna, by her inhabitant, a twenty-something year-old woman. Julia "Butterfly" Hill, she wandered into the redwoods one day on a trip to Northern California, and was forever changed by her experiences among them. After her life altering experience which was the beginning of the special connection
More...
Aug 03, 2011
Abigailann
rated it:
An interesting insight into the difference that a single tree can make to a person's life and their outlook on the world. It was lovely to hear about environmental issues from a different perspective to the usual and am glad that I read this book, despite its occasional stilted nature.
Feb 16, 2011
Jane
rated it:
Julia Butterfly Hill came to speak at my college, and I found her story so inspiring that I changed my major to environmental management the semester after, and found a new path in life, though not as radical as hers. The book is well written, as well as inspirational.
Dec 21, 2009
Martine Aiyana
rated it:
One person can make a difference. All it takes is determination and faith in what you are doing. Maybe more importantly, faith in yourself. You might not always have a plan from the start, but know that if you are determined and stick through it, you can accomplish your goals.
