A Wind-Storm in the Forests

by Applewood Books

The nature writings of pioneering environmentalist and Sierra Club founder John Muir are like no other. In this essay from 1894, Muir describes the grandeur of the winds at play in the forests, with stunning and musical detail about the trees of the Sierra and their individual reaction to the wind. Muir's story of climbing a 100-foot Douglas Spruce to experience the sway and swirl of a storm for himself is unforgettable. This short work is part of Applewood's "American Roots," series, tactile mementos of American passions by some of America's most famous writers.

Genres: Nature

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 28, 2014

Reviews

[amanda croft · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend reading this in a treehouse

[Griffin]

“Most people like to look at mountain rivers, and bear them in mind; but few care to look at the winds, though far more beautiful and sublime, and though they become at times about as visible as flowing water”

[Sage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow

[rosal_e · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short read that did not disappoint! I can see how he earned his reputation as "Father of our National Park System."

[Selena Hennessey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I too appreciate a good tree

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ We all travel the milky way together, trees and men; but it never occurred to me until this storm-day, while swinging in the wind, that trees are travelers, in the ordinary sense. They make many journeys, not extensive ones, it is true; but our own little journeys, away and back again, are only little more than tree-wavings--many of them not so much. “

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Muir were a friend I might be constantly advising him "don't go in there right now" or "don't go up there". Fortunately, I was not there to advise him, so he managed to stay more closely attuned to nature than most other people on the planet. This is an interesting perspective on the relationship between wind and forests.

[Amina Ahsan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful description of a storm, and the joy of being out in the elements.

[Mads ✨is balls deep in the Animorphs reread✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌲 John Muir: fuck it *scales a 100ft pine tree in the middle of a hurricane and swings around like a potato tied to a ceiling fan*

❤️ This shit made me love the sound of the wind through the pine trees, which had previously only given me bad vibes and heebie jeebies! I've always been a deciduous girl (can't help it it's in my English genes) and I have literally had nightmares sleeping alone under pines when the wind is high and rushing up the mountain pass like a hollow spirit of death!! But now I'm forever more going to hear that noise as the trees "rejoicing with gladness" and "putting on high festival"!! Thank you John you crazy bearded Scottish bastard!!

💜 The gorgeousness of this little love letter to pines was helped along by the fact that I read it in Yosemite, which is chock full of the skinny sappy bastards in all their natural glory, proving them absolutely as awesome and beautiful as this essay tells them sound to be.

⭐️ Summary: 10/10 nature writing, as has been agreed by basically everyone for 100 years. Has cured my fear of wind in the pines.

📚 Will I read more Muir: oh FUCK yeah. I'm also so inspired to climb a pine again which I haven't done in 10 years but you know what, I'll pass on the wind storm, cheers.

[Emelia Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winds are advertisements of all they touch, however much or little we may be able to read them; telling their wanderings even by their scents alone.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet, short read. John Muir’s writing is a gift! He paints pictures with his words. I felt like I was right there in the wind-storm with him, watching the trees bow and dance.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Into the woods I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.”

[Allyse Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little delightful book about trees.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️🌲