Walking through ancient Welsh forests, Yeomans reflects on our relationship to the woods.
When and how did humans lose their connection with nature—and how do we find it again? In Return to My Trees, Matthew Yeomans seeks to answer these questions as he walks more than 300 miles through the ancient and modern forests of Wales. Weaving history and folklore together with tales of industrial progress and decay, Yeomans immerses himself in the homes of ancient Druids, early Celtic saints, Norman lords, and early miners. As Yeomans walks, he reflects on the woodlands’ uncertain future and how humans might make peace with the natural world.
When and how did humans lose their connection with nature—and how do we find it again? In Return to My Trees, Matthew Yeomans seeks to answer these questions as he walks more than 300 miles through the ancient and modern forests of Wales. Weaving history and folklore together with tales of industrial progress and decay, Yeomans immerses himself in the homes of ancient Druids, early Celtic saints, Norman lords, and early miners. As Yeomans walks, he reflects on the woodlands’ uncertain future and how humans might make peace with the natural world.
256 pages | 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 | © 2022
Geography: Environmental Geography
History: British and Irish History
Travel and Tourism: Tourism and History, Travel Writing and Guides
Reviews
Table of Contents
Introduction
PART ONE – THE FALL OF THE TREES
Chapter 1 – The Wisdom of the Druids
Chapter 2 – The Story of the Saints
Chapter 3 – The Attack on the Forests
Chapter 4 – A New Forest Economy
Chapter 5 – The Original Black Gold
Chapter 6 – Stranded Assets
PART TWO – THE POWER OF THE TREES
Chapter 7 – Reconnecting Through Community
Chapter 8 – The Science of the Trees
Chapter 9 – In the Footsteps of the Welsh Robin Hood
Chapter 10 – The Stuff of Legend
Chapter 11 – Environmentalism’s Romantic Past
PART THREE – THE POWER OF THE TREES
Chapter 12 – A National Forest is Born
Chapter 13 – The Rights of Trees
Chapter 14 – Forest Politics
Chapter 15 – The Business of Nature
Chapter 16 – Sheep and Trees
Chapter 17 – Making Peace with Nature
PART ONE – THE FALL OF THE TREES
Chapter 1 – The Wisdom of the Druids
Chapter 2 – The Story of the Saints
Chapter 3 – The Attack on the Forests
Chapter 4 – A New Forest Economy
Chapter 5 – The Original Black Gold
Chapter 6 – Stranded Assets
PART TWO – THE POWER OF THE TREES
Chapter 7 – Reconnecting Through Community
Chapter 8 – The Science of the Trees
Chapter 9 – In the Footsteps of the Welsh Robin Hood
Chapter 10 – The Stuff of Legend
Chapter 11 – Environmentalism’s Romantic Past
PART THREE – THE POWER OF THE TREES
Chapter 12 – A National Forest is Born
Chapter 13 – The Rights of Trees
Chapter 14 – Forest Politics
Chapter 15 – The Business of Nature
Chapter 16 – Sheep and Trees
Chapter 17 – Making Peace with Nature