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The Weather Detective: Rediscovering Nature's Secret Signs
BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE HIDDEN LIFE OF TREES, PETER WOHLLEBEN, INVITES US TO RECONNECT WITH NATURE
As soon as we step out of the door, nature surrounds. Thousands of small and large processes are taking place, details that are long often fascinating and beautiful. But we've long forgotten how to recognise them.
Peter Wohlleben, bestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees, invites us to become an expert, to take a closer look and interpret the signs that clouds, wind, plants and animals convey. Chaffinches become weather prophets, bees are live thermometers, courgettes tell us the time.
The Weather Detective combines scientific research with charming anecdotes to explain the extraordinary cycles of life, death and regeneration that are evolving on our doorstep, bringing us closer to nature than ever before. A walk in the park will never be the same again.
As soon as we step out of the door, nature surrounds. Thousands of small and large processes are taking place, details that are long often fascinating and beautiful. But we've long forgotten how to recognise them.
Peter Wohlleben, bestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees, invites us to become an expert, to take a closer look and interpret the signs that clouds, wind, plants and animals convey. Chaffinches become weather prophets, bees are live thermometers, courgettes tell us the time.
The Weather Detective combines scientific research with charming anecdotes to explain the extraordinary cycles of life, death and regeneration that are evolving on our doorstep, bringing us closer to nature than ever before. A walk in the park will never be the same again.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
245 people are currently reading
2237 people want to read
About the author
Peter Wohlleben
107 books1,927 followersPeter Wohlleben is a German forester and author who writes on ecological themes in popular language.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 230 reviews
January 7, 2020
I picked this book up thinking it would be focused on the weather. The first half was wonderful, talking about climate change, changes in the weather and how to spot them, and the seasons. However, by the second half, it seemed like Wohlleben had run out of weather-related things to talk about, instead discussing unrelated topics (such as predator and prey relationships). While it was still pretty interesting, it just didn't end up being the book I thought it was going to be, hence the 3 stars.
August 28, 2019
2.5 stars. Full of interesting tidbits if you're a gardener in Europe, but diverges wildly from the topic of weather in the second half. The title promises something completely different from what's delivered.
September 4, 2018
This is presented in English as a book how about "nature" (that is, plants and animals) acts in certain ways because of impending weather. But it's really a book about gardening. This was frustrating, to say the least. Even though I am a gardening patron in our home, I didn't want to read about gardening per se. I looked up the original German title of this work and, using handy Google Translate, learned that its original subtitle was "Observe, Understand and Use Natural Phenomena in the Garden." Now why wasn't that conveyed in the English edition? I don't want to know how to deal with hedgehogs (did I mention the author was European?). Even worse for this edition, the translator was evidently British, so some things were randomly presented as if the reader lived in Albion (such as being directed to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). That seemed to go beyond translated (I'd prefer the original German references than making it specific to another country where this book was not purchased).
Wohlleben did have some interesting things to say, especially about biological diversity in the garden. But that wasn't the book I signed up for. At least it s a (very) quick read, if not a Good one.
Wohlleben did have some interesting things to say, especially about biological diversity in the garden. But that wasn't the book I signed up for. At least it s a (very) quick read, if not a Good one.
June 22, 2022
As others have noted, this is really a book about gardening in Western Europe. It's well-written, but not what I was looking for. Skimmed a library copy. 2 star rating wouldn't necessarily apply to readers who are European gardeners!
May 24, 2020
Yes I am a big fan of Wohlleben. Coming off reading The Hidden Life of Trees I was introduced to the Woodwide Web and trees talk to each other.
The Weather Detective is almost more of the same. While there is indeed a lot of material on how weather impacts your garden this book addresses many other important elements of how to open yourself up to nature. And recognise its beauty by treating them as living things.
“Flowers open up at different times of the day to attract bees to take a sip of nectar on their way to pollinating the garden”. What an interesting thought ! Almost like a coffee at Starbucks for a bee.
I enjoyed it. It took me straight to a wonderful garden and I literally lived in the midst of the plants and trees almost knowing what I would read in the next line.
Opinionated ? Yes.
The Weather Detective is almost more of the same. While there is indeed a lot of material on how weather impacts your garden this book addresses many other important elements of how to open yourself up to nature. And recognise its beauty by treating them as living things.
“Flowers open up at different times of the day to attract bees to take a sip of nectar on their way to pollinating the garden”. What an interesting thought ! Almost like a coffee at Starbucks for a bee.
I enjoyed it. It took me straight to a wonderful garden and I literally lived in the midst of the plants and trees almost knowing what I would read in the next line.
Opinionated ? Yes.
July 3, 2018
These days finding out what the weather is going to be doing is as easy as looking at the app on your phone. I know as I have three on mine. One swipe and you have a fairly accurate prediction (mostly) of the weather for the next 24 hours or so. While these are good for giving a good general guide to the weather in your region they can sometimes fail in your own locale because of the particular microclimate.
Peter Wohlleben wants us to look a little harder next time we step outside, to look at the sky, study the clouds and take notice of the things that animals and insects are doing to really get a feel for what the weather is going to be doing outside your door. There are details on what to look for with plants and trees and the things that they do when faced with changing weather conditions.
From the weather, he moves on to observations and thoughts about the sun moon and planets and the night sky in general and then how the constant cycle of night and day affect the natural world. Moving on from there he talks about seasonal and climate changes that we need to look for. There are chapters on soil, natives and invasive species and how to experience the outdoors with all your senses too.
This is the third book that Wohlleben has written now with a focus on the natural world. Even though it is titled The Weather Detective, only around a third of the book is weather related and the second part was about elements of the natural world which I was a little disappointed with. It is still written in his easy-going style so is very readable though. He seems to be picking up on a theme here as re-connecting with nature is a big thing at the moment, I read Rewild by Nick Baker earlier this year that was about exploring the outside world with more than just your eyes. Not bad overall, but if you are hoping for a book purely on weather then be aware.
Peter Wohlleben wants us to look a little harder next time we step outside, to look at the sky, study the clouds and take notice of the things that animals and insects are doing to really get a feel for what the weather is going to be doing outside your door. There are details on what to look for with plants and trees and the things that they do when faced with changing weather conditions.
From the weather, he moves on to observations and thoughts about the sun moon and planets and the night sky in general and then how the constant cycle of night and day affect the natural world. Moving on from there he talks about seasonal and climate changes that we need to look for. There are chapters on soil, natives and invasive species and how to experience the outdoors with all your senses too.
This is the third book that Wohlleben has written now with a focus on the natural world. Even though it is titled The Weather Detective, only around a third of the book is weather related and the second part was about elements of the natural world which I was a little disappointed with. It is still written in his easy-going style so is very readable though. He seems to be picking up on a theme here as re-connecting with nature is a big thing at the moment, I read Rewild by Nick Baker earlier this year that was about exploring the outside world with more than just your eyes. Not bad overall, but if you are hoping for a book purely on weather then be aware.
July 30, 2019
The gardener in me was thrilled that I chose this book to read. . . .very interesting information on weather features and affects on plants, trees, bugs and us.
It is the kind of book that I like to keep on hand as a reference - there was even a section on how to determine exactly what time it is where your body in your yard is! Local Mean Time. . .which was how time used to be kept . . . .who knew? (Many. . . but it was not something I thought about in my life.) Using this you could figure out when your flowers would bloom and I could just see me with a chair pulled up to my four o'clocks with watches, and sundials, and interested grandkids. Still makes me laugh.
Toward the end of the book my interest flagged, but still. I think this should be on my shelf. If you are a gardener. . .you'll like this one.
3 stars.
It is the kind of book that I like to keep on hand as a reference - there was even a section on how to determine exactly what time it is where your body in your yard is! Local Mean Time. . .which was how time used to be kept . . . .who knew? (Many. . . but it was not something I thought about in my life.) Using this you could figure out when your flowers would bloom and I could just see me with a chair pulled up to my four o'clocks with watches, and sundials, and interested grandkids. Still makes me laugh.
Toward the end of the book my interest flagged, but still. I think this should be on my shelf. If you are a gardener. . .you'll like this one.
3 stars.
January 2, 2021
I like Peter Wohlleben not only because of his expansive knowledge of nature, be it animals, plants or fungi, but also his apprehensible style which brings the topics close to you. The Weather Detective teaches gardeners and the would-be gardeners all things weather-related: temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind, snow, cloud, hail, etc...as well as climate change. Your garden plants and animals can tell you a lot about the local weather and the climate change if you know how to read them, and they definitely can tell you more precisely about your garden’s weather condition than the weatherman on your local TV channel.
The second half of the book is more about plants and animals in your garden than the weather. What trees in your area have a better chance in climate change? Is bird feeder good or bad from nature’s point of view? How to avoid planting invasive pieces in your garden? All discussed in Peter Wohlleben's rambling but practical style.
PS: If you haven’t sit outside in your garden in the dark when weather permits, please do it. It is a wonderful experience.
The second half of the book is more about plants and animals in your garden than the weather. What trees in your area have a better chance in climate change? Is bird feeder good or bad from nature’s point of view? How to avoid planting invasive pieces in your garden? All discussed in Peter Wohlleben's rambling but practical style.
PS: If you haven’t sit outside in your garden in the dark when weather permits, please do it. It is a wonderful experience.
January 5, 2021
(ฟัง audiobook ฉบับภาษาอังกฤษ)
ชื่อหนังสือและคำโปรยชวนให้คิดว่าเป็นหนังสือเกี่ยวกับอิทธิพลของดินฟ้าอากาศต่อสิ่งมีชีวิต แต่เอาจริงเป็นหนังสือเกี่ยวกับการทำสวนในยุโรปตะวันตก ใครชอบทำสวนในยุโ่รปอาจจะชอบ แต่เล่มนี้เนื้อหาไม่ตรงปกอย่างรุนแรง แถมครึ่งหลังของเล่มก็แทบไม่มีอะไรเกี่ยวกับดินฟ้าอากาศเลย
ดูเหมือนกิมมิกการตลาดที่ออกมาทำเงินเร็วๆ จากชื่อเสียงของผู้เขียนที่ดังเป็นพลุแตกของหนังสือเรื่อง Hidden Life of Trees (ซึ่งดีมากๆ เป็นท้อปเทนของตัวเองในปีนั้นเลย) มากกว่า 🙄
โชคดีที่ได้ฟรีจากโปรโมชั่นของ Audible ไม่งั้นคงรู้สึกเสียดายเงินมากๆ
ชื่อหนังสือและคำโปรยชวนให้คิดว่าเป็นหนังสือเกี่ยวกับอิทธิพลของดินฟ้าอากาศต่อสิ่งมีชีวิต แต่เอาจริงเป็นหนังสือเกี่ยวกับการทำสวนในยุโรปตะวันตก ใครชอบทำสวนในยุโ่รปอาจจะชอบ แต่เล่มนี้เนื้อหาไม่ตรงปกอย่างรุนแรง แถมครึ่งหลังของเล่มก็แทบไม่มีอะไรเกี่ยวกับดินฟ้าอากาศเลย
ดูเหมือนกิมมิกการตลาดที่ออกมาทำเงินเร็วๆ จากชื่อเสียงของผู้เขียนที่ดังเป็นพลุแตกของหนังสือเรื่อง Hidden Life of Trees (ซึ่งดีมากๆ เป็นท้อปเทนของตัวเองในปีนั้นเลย) มากกว่า 🙄
โชคดีที่ได้ฟรีจากโปรโมชั่นของ Audible ไม่งั้นคงรู้สึกเสียดายเงินมากๆ
February 28, 2019
Peter Wohlleben's latest book is a must read for all permaculture advocates and gardeners as well as environmentalists who understand nature in panpsychist terms. Wohlleben explains how to read many aspects of nature's signs, from being able to tell the time of day from birdcalls or flowers, to knowing the type of soil from the weeds or understanding the weather and how to predict it. He also looks at climate change and its effects, and ways, as a gardener, to adapt to a warming climate. He explains how to build resilience in the garden, both for food production as well as ornamental plants and developing habitat through interconnection and managing pests. Much of the way to read nature comes through information from all the senses, and he outlines a sensory approach to encountering nature, and if nothing else, as a way of becoming closer to it and more in touch with it, both for health reasons - physical and mental - and simply for enjoyment.
The book is centred around gardening and the way wider nature operates and how to integrate your garden into the wider system. Although it is Eurocentric, focusing on Germany where Wohlleben lives, and Britain, the principles, once understood, can easily be utilised anywhere. Based in science, yet primarily from first hand experience, Wohlleben utilises numerous aspects of knowledge including folk knowledge such as sayings about the weather and folk stories, as well as internet websites with information on animals and plants in the local region. He argues for a language of science grounded in feelings, story and metaphor, and his book is presented as an example of such a language.
Ultimately, this book is an invitation for the reader to explore nature through all the senses, utilising our brains to redevelop and sharpen our senses and sensitivity to the natural world that is around us and made less visible due to the modernity we all live within, whether we live in highly urbanised environments or in untouched ecosystems.
The book is centred around gardening and the way wider nature operates and how to integrate your garden into the wider system. Although it is Eurocentric, focusing on Germany where Wohlleben lives, and Britain, the principles, once understood, can easily be utilised anywhere. Based in science, yet primarily from first hand experience, Wohlleben utilises numerous aspects of knowledge including folk knowledge such as sayings about the weather and folk stories, as well as internet websites with information on animals and plants in the local region. He argues for a language of science grounded in feelings, story and metaphor, and his book is presented as an example of such a language.
Ultimately, this book is an invitation for the reader to explore nature through all the senses, utilising our brains to redevelop and sharpen our senses and sensitivity to the natural world that is around us and made less visible due to the modernity we all live within, whether we live in highly urbanised environments or in untouched ecosystems.
August 7, 2018
The first 1/3 of this book is about what the title says it is about. I enjoyed that part and learned a lot of good information about the relationship between our environment and the weather! However, the rest of the book centers on gardening? That's not what I picked up the book for. The flow of ideas in each chapter felt very haphazard as well.
Oh and one note: The author is from and lives in Germany, so every example in the book relates to Western Europe and their weather and wildlife. It's still a useful read even if you don't live there.
Oh and one note: The author is from and lives in Germany, so every example in the book relates to Western Europe and their weather and wildlife. It's still a useful read even if you don't live there.
June 23, 2020
It was promising at first but it's not really about the weather, so the title is somewhat misleading. It's mostly about gardening, with some basic science facts thrown here and there. I am yet to find a book that makes meteorology sound interesting... However, avid gardeners might find this book useful.
August 12, 2021
Ндэ, книга длиною в статью. Из журнала "Дом, дача и здоровье!"
Я в целом и не ожидала чего-то научного, однако, не рассчитывала на монолог одержимого приметами соседа-дачника, который призывает меня относиться к слизням, как у друзьям.
Книга полна ценных и неочевидных советов, например, "если почва очень сухая, вы можете исправить ситуацию при помощи полива"
Я бы вообще заподозрила, что это милая книга для детей дошкольного возраста, если бы автор не выдвинул неожиданную теорию о связи менструации с фазами луны.
Я в целом и не ожидала чего-то научного, однако, не рассчитывала на монолог одержимого приметами соседа-дачника, который призывает меня относиться к слизням, как у друзьям.
Книга полна ценных и неочевидных советов, например, "если почва очень сухая, вы можете исправить ситуацию при помощи полива"
Я бы вообще заподозрила, что это милая книга для детей дошкольного возраста, если бы автор не выдвинул неожиданную теорию о связи менструации с фазами луны.
September 10, 2018
The Weather Detective is the third book of Peter Wohlleben's that I've had the pleasure of enjoying. Like the previous two, Wohlleben draws upon his experience working as a forester and living deep within nature to paint a vibrant photo of the natural world. While the book is called The Weather Detective, only the first half of the book is strictly meteorological. The second half delves into how the weather, among other things, affects our gardens and the animals within it. While some of this information is recycled from the previous two books, the information is still extremely interesting and good to know - so it makes sense to present it again, if this might be the only book of his someone picks up.
This book is a quick read, as I found most of his books to be, but one that can be returned to again and again. It covers everything from what you can learn by bisecting a hailstone to how to determine the chemical makeup of your soil. Is your soil compacted? Then here is how to aerate it. Are all non-native plants bad? How can you predict a first frost? All of this and more would serve to help anyone further enjoy their garden and create in it a safe-haven of nature that would help the world all the more.
I adore this fellow's books, and I look forward to his next release. I would love to find more writers like him.
This book is a quick read, as I found most of his books to be, but one that can be returned to again and again. It covers everything from what you can learn by bisecting a hailstone to how to determine the chemical makeup of your soil. Is your soil compacted? Then here is how to aerate it. Are all non-native plants bad? How can you predict a first frost? All of this and more would serve to help anyone further enjoy their garden and create in it a safe-haven of nature that would help the world all the more.
I adore this fellow's books, and I look forward to his next release. I would love to find more writers like him.
July 18, 2018
Rather misleading title and description. Weather comes up only at the start of the book - the whole reason I bought this book was to gain understanding for research purposes on a project. Instead, I have mostly a text that waxes poetic about gardening, recites basic science facts (hardly anyone needs a reminder that the Earth circles the sun, and that astronomy concerns itself with the study of stars) and follows no particular structure.
I wouldn't leave such a low scorе hadn't the title and description been so misleading. It's a good book for someone who's led a deeply urban life divorced from nature, or a novice gardener. But there's not much weather detecting done, the interesting bits from the description are given in the description, and there not that many secret signs to read.
Frustrating.
I wouldn't leave such a low scorе hadn't the title and description been so misleading. It's a good book for someone who's led a deeply urban life divorced from nature, or a novice gardener. But there's not much weather detecting done, the interesting bits from the description are given in the description, and there not that many secret signs to read.
Frustrating.
February 28, 2019
Debated giving up on this one, but I really thought it would get better. The first third of the book was actually about weather with bits of gardening information interspersed. Two thirds of the way through became exclusively gardening. Then the last third he just lost all direction completely and started bringing up random subjects like he had a contract to fulfill for the book length and just ran out of things to talk about. Don’t be deceived by the title, this book has very little to do with weather, and I don’t think it’s even a useful gardening book because of the lack of focus. Disappointing after the Hidden Life of Trees. Maybe a biologist shouldn’t try to write about meteorology?
February 10, 2022
This was a lovely, simple book by Peter Wohlleben.
He takes the premise of your own back garden to craft an attempt to get to know nature and its cycles better.
We discuss weather, seasons, soil, insects, birds and many other topics relating to nature. Wohlleben's reasoning is that, if you get to know your own little corner of the earth better, it will help you to glean knowledge and make discoveries about the wider world.
The writing is simple, easy going and pleasurable to read. I always like reading about gardens left to nature, creatures and soil. It makes me feel connected to the earth of which we are a part.
I already like to pay attention to my little corner of the earth, and was thoroughly rewarded yesterday by watching a male sparrowhawk divebomb the bird feeder in our garden to snatch a sparrow and then dispatch it under one of our bushes! He then flew off victorious to enjoy his pickings. Nature. Amazing.
He takes the premise of your own back garden to craft an attempt to get to know nature and its cycles better.
We discuss weather, seasons, soil, insects, birds and many other topics relating to nature. Wohlleben's reasoning is that, if you get to know your own little corner of the earth better, it will help you to glean knowledge and make discoveries about the wider world.
The writing is simple, easy going and pleasurable to read. I always like reading about gardens left to nature, creatures and soil. It makes me feel connected to the earth of which we are a part.
I already like to pay attention to my little corner of the earth, and was thoroughly rewarded yesterday by watching a male sparrowhawk divebomb the bird feeder in our garden to snatch a sparrow and then dispatch it under one of our bushes! He then flew off victorious to enjoy his pickings. Nature. Amazing.
February 8, 2021
I’ve downgraded to a 4 only because it was not completely weather-related. In fact, that seemed to be a side note. Full of nature-related information of all life, it addressed the gambit. Soil, trees, insects, critters, plants, elements, humans, climate change, were all brought into focus as they influence the livelihood of the other. A good tome of lore, tips galore, but would have liked more on how to gauge weather. (Leaves that turn upward, plants that may change their direction, cats rubbing ears, whatever..)
Still, Wohlleben is an educational read and always has something worth gleaming.
Still, Wohlleben is an educational read and always has something worth gleaming.
October 18, 2018
Based on the title, subtitle, and jacket description, you'd think this was a book about weather. I was expecting some old-timey, low tech wisdom of how to become an amateur weather forecaster. But it's really a book about gardens. I have a lawn and some garden boxes, so that's fine for me. I like reading about nature and animals, so I did somewhat enjoy this one. And the first 20 or so pages do focus on weather. But I was frustrated that what the books is sold/packaged as and the contents are quite different. So, it gets a middle of the road star rating from me. It's fine for what it is, but the weather content was barely part of this book and I did enjoy that part more than the rest of it.
February 21, 2019
I'll be honest, I didn't know what to expect from this book. I downloaded it because the title intrigued me...but....it fell short.
The author wasn't a terrible author, on the contrary, the writing was well done. The content of the book, however, was allll over the place. I expected a book about learning to read the signs in nature to determine weather and meteorological patterns, right? I got a little bit of that, but the I got a whole ton of everything else as well. Talking about hedgehogs to birds to even a small section on seasonal affective disorder. It was so unfocused that I had a hard time even finishing it. Honestly, if it hadn't been an audiobook I probably wouldn't have finished.
I wish I could have got the book the title promised...
The author wasn't a terrible author, on the contrary, the writing was well done. The content of the book, however, was allll over the place. I expected a book about learning to read the signs in nature to determine weather and meteorological patterns, right? I got a little bit of that, but the I got a whole ton of everything else as well. Talking about hedgehogs to birds to even a small section on seasonal affective disorder. It was so unfocused that I had a hard time even finishing it. Honestly, if it hadn't been an audiobook I probably wouldn't have finished.
I wish I could have got the book the title promised...
February 23, 2019
I really liked this book. It's great because it covers a lot of ground and feels sufficiently supported by science. It speaks to a European or UK audience however, so you have to translate those lessons back to NA if you live where I do. But he's stoicly poetic.
Read
December 28, 2019was very interesting and educational
October 11, 2018
I am a massive fan of The Farmer's Almanac and have been as early as I can recall, as growing up in Wisconsin, you're guaranteed to hear most every farmer bark out his opinion on exactly how the year is going to unfold due to the time-trusted data he gets from his knees, how fuzzy the woolly worms are growing, or the amount of acorns gumming up his tractor.
As much as I relied upon this type of information to guide me toward planting and harvesting dates--or more important, how many cords of wood to have stacked and ready--I came across a book by Peter Wohlleben and newly translated into English: The Weather Detective: Rediscovering Nature's Secret Signs.
Hallelujah. I have been waiting for this much-wanted text ever since a German friend of mine had read it and pitied me for not being able to recall any of my four brilliant years of studying school textbook German.
Anyway, the laughs on her now. I have it too. And I'm wholly grateful for it, as Mr. Wohllenben has a way of taking some rather complex science and putting it into laymen's terms. So I guess that would be TWO translations done with this text.
It is not a scientific book. It is not a manual on nature. It is a walk in the garden, the woods, the park--a reveal of Mother Nature and her many hidden gems. A guide that illuminates the answers to quirky questions like, 'At what temperature do bees stay home?' Or, 'What plants can portend the weather?' Or even, 'Did you know that birds take turns and sing on a schedule?'
No, I had not known these things. But now I do. And I even know how to plant a flower garden that can act as a clock, blossoms opening on the hour.
I love information like this. Old folklore, peculiar meteorological indicators, and nature's hidden secrets. It is all bound within the slender pages of this primer. Perhaps bad for all authors out there, Mr. Wohlleben will encourage people to put down their books and go for a walk.
Maybe bring this one along.
As much as I relied upon this type of information to guide me toward planting and harvesting dates--or more important, how many cords of wood to have stacked and ready--I came across a book by Peter Wohlleben and newly translated into English: The Weather Detective: Rediscovering Nature's Secret Signs.
Hallelujah. I have been waiting for this much-wanted text ever since a German friend of mine had read it and pitied me for not being able to recall any of my four brilliant years of studying school textbook German.
Anyway, the laughs on her now. I have it too. And I'm wholly grateful for it, as Mr. Wohllenben has a way of taking some rather complex science and putting it into laymen's terms. So I guess that would be TWO translations done with this text.
It is not a scientific book. It is not a manual on nature. It is a walk in the garden, the woods, the park--a reveal of Mother Nature and her many hidden gems. A guide that illuminates the answers to quirky questions like, 'At what temperature do bees stay home?' Or, 'What plants can portend the weather?' Or even, 'Did you know that birds take turns and sing on a schedule?'
No, I had not known these things. But now I do. And I even know how to plant a flower garden that can act as a clock, blossoms opening on the hour.
I love information like this. Old folklore, peculiar meteorological indicators, and nature's hidden secrets. It is all bound within the slender pages of this primer. Perhaps bad for all authors out there, Mr. Wohlleben will encourage people to put down their books and go for a walk.
Maybe bring this one along.
December 6, 2022
The Weather Detective: Rediscovering Nature's Secret Signs by Peter Wohlleben
This is the second book I have read by this author. He is the best-selling author of The Hidden Life of Trees. In this book the author does discuss weather, but it is so much more. Rediscovering nature’s secret signs are the most interesting parts of the book. His discussions of climate, soil quality, native and invasive plants, plant behavior, and its impact on insect and animal behavior. Some reviewers on Goodreads indicated the book was very much directed at Central Europe. This is certainly true, however there is a wealth of information provided that would open the reader’s eyes to the world around them.
I found the following quote particularly interesting and enlightening,” How far removed are we from our environment and how dulled have our senses really become? We often compare humanity’s performance in these areas with animals and in this comparison our species generally comes off badly. In terms of our site humans and animals are pretty much on a level playing field, but throw hearing, smell, and touch into the mix and we humans are soundly beaten. We often speak admirably about perceptive faculties of dogs, cats, and birds, but in doing so we forget that the blueprint of the human body is built around the very same principles: our senses equipped us for life in the natural world not life in an office or on a sofa at home. Yet our everyday life is dictated by artificial ecosystems, allowing us to lose sight of our biological origins.…When we use our senses at full capacity, we have access the wealth of thrilling and calming experiences waiting for us just outside our back doors, in nature and in our gardens. The world seems to expand when we’re able to appreciate it in in all its diversity. I hope you’ll find many new discoveries when you’re out and about, and that, like me, you discover the world that’s so much bigger than it first appears.”
I give this book a four-star rating. I found it very informative, despite not being directly applicable to North America.
This is the second book I have read by this author. He is the best-selling author of The Hidden Life of Trees. In this book the author does discuss weather, but it is so much more. Rediscovering nature’s secret signs are the most interesting parts of the book. His discussions of climate, soil quality, native and invasive plants, plant behavior, and its impact on insect and animal behavior. Some reviewers on Goodreads indicated the book was very much directed at Central Europe. This is certainly true, however there is a wealth of information provided that would open the reader’s eyes to the world around them.
I found the following quote particularly interesting and enlightening,” How far removed are we from our environment and how dulled have our senses really become? We often compare humanity’s performance in these areas with animals and in this comparison our species generally comes off badly. In terms of our site humans and animals are pretty much on a level playing field, but throw hearing, smell, and touch into the mix and we humans are soundly beaten. We often speak admirably about perceptive faculties of dogs, cats, and birds, but in doing so we forget that the blueprint of the human body is built around the very same principles: our senses equipped us for life in the natural world not life in an office or on a sofa at home. Yet our everyday life is dictated by artificial ecosystems, allowing us to lose sight of our biological origins.…When we use our senses at full capacity, we have access the wealth of thrilling and calming experiences waiting for us just outside our back doors, in nature and in our gardens. The world seems to expand when we’re able to appreciate it in in all its diversity. I hope you’ll find many new discoveries when you’re out and about, and that, like me, you discover the world that’s so much bigger than it first appears.”
I give this book a four-star rating. I found it very informative, despite not being directly applicable to North America.
August 24, 2020
I fully understand the criticism of this book in terms of being misleading. As other reviews have said, only the first third of the book is truly on topic with regards to the title and how its marketed as a whole. However I personally had no problem with the transition from pure weather signs to more obscure weather-related naturalism, its all very interesting and important stuff!
4 stars for many reasons, not least that Mr. Wohlleben isn't afraid to point out when people make excuses for interfering with nature and destroying the balance within ecosystems for their own selfish reasons.
Come for the weather signs, stay for the environmentalism.
4 stars for many reasons, not least that Mr. Wohlleben isn't afraid to point out when people make excuses for interfering with nature and destroying the balance within ecosystems for their own selfish reasons.
Come for the weather signs, stay for the environmentalism.
July 8, 2022
I really appreciate this book as a lover of nature and naturally curious person. It has so many interesting facts about all sorts of things - not just the weather. In fact, only a small portion of this book is even about weather. The majority of it is about animals, gardens/gardening, forests, etc.
Wohlleben writes in a very inviting, friendly way, which is hard to do when writing about scientific processes. It was clear and understandable - I felt like I was listening to a wise grandpa sitting in a little garden.
This book took a very long time for me to get through, and there were parts that were a bit boring, but overall I enjoyed it.
Def would recommend, but only if you’re interested in natural processes/nature as a whole. Otherwise, no.
Wohlleben writes in a very inviting, friendly way, which is hard to do when writing about scientific processes. It was clear and understandable - I felt like I was listening to a wise grandpa sitting in a little garden.
This book took a very long time for me to get through, and there were parts that were a bit boring, but overall I enjoyed it.
Def would recommend, but only if you’re interested in natural processes/nature as a whole. Otherwise, no.
October 2, 2022
This meandered away from weather, but it's fine. I love grandpa Wohlleben (Okay the author is younger than that but the narrator isn't and he's done all Wohlleben's books and my brain refuses to acknowledge that's not *really* his voice) and his meandering discussions of all things nature and forestry. <3
November 9, 2020
An interesting overview of natural phenomenons we can observe. I enjoyed learning about how storms form, how birds surf invisible warm air masses and that condensation trails from planes mean there is humidity in the air. The only downside was it felt like a scattered stream of consciousness sometimes (maybe more headers would have helped organize the information) and that some of it only applied to Western Europe. Otherwise an interesting read!
July 16, 2024
An excellent read full of fun weather facts. However this is geared more towards the gardener than the weather nerd like me.
October 13, 2024
I feel like this book was titled incorrectly as only about 1/3 of the actual book was about weather and weather phenomenon. Everything else seemed to be repetitive of what was written in the author’s previous books.
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