To Speak for the Trees
My Life's Journey from Ancient Celtic Wisdom to a Healing Vision of the Forest
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To Speak for the Trees
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Narrated by:
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Diana Beresford-Kroeger
About this listen
2019 Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award
Canadian botanist, biochemist, and visionary Diana Beresford-Kroeger's startling insights into the hidden life of trees have already sparked a quiet revolution in how we understand our relationship to forests. Now, in a captivating account of how her life led her to these illuminating and crucial ideas, she shows us how forests can not only heal us but save the planet.
When Diana Beresford-Kroeger - whose father was a member of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy and whose mother was an O'Donoghue, one of the stronghold families who carried on the ancient Celtic traditions - was orphaned as a child, she could have been sent to the Magdalene Laundries. Instead, the O'Donoghue elders, most of them scholars and freehold farmers in the Lisheens valley in County Cork, took her under their wing. Diana became the last ward under the Brehon Law. Over the course of three summers, she was taught the ways of the Celtic triad of mind, body, and soul. This included the philosophy of healing, the laws of the trees, Brehon wisdom, and the Ogham alphabet, all of it rooted in a vision of nature that saw trees and forests as fundamental to human survival and spirituality.
Already a precociously gifted scholar, Diana found that her grounding in the ancient ways led her to fresh scientific concepts. Out of that huge and holistic vision have come the observations that put her at the forefront of her field: the discovery of mother trees at the heart of a forest; the fact that trees are a living library, have a chemical language and communicate in a quantum world; the major idea that trees heal living creatures through the aerosols they release and that they carry a great wealth of natural antibiotics and other healing substances; and, perhaps most significantly, that planting trees can actively regulate the atmosphere and the oceans, and even stabilize our climate.
This book is not only the story of a remarkable scientist and her ideas, it harvests all of her powerful knowledge about why trees matter, and why trees are a viable, achievable solution to climate change. Diana eloquently shows us that if we can understand the intricate ways in which the health and welfare of every living creature is connected to the global forest, and strengthen those connections, we will still have time to mend the self-destructive ways that are leading to drastic fires, droughts, and floods.
©2019 Diana Beresford-Kroeger (P)2019 Random House CanadaListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
“In her youth in Ireland, Diana Beresford-Kroeger received an extraordinary and unique education in traditional Celtic plant lore. At university in Canada, she specialized in biochemistry and merged what she learned and observed into her signature studies of trees, augmented by First Nation forest wisdom. This autobiography of learning ways to heal the damaged earth and break the tightening grip of climate crisis offers a rational and inclusive way to keep our future.” (Annie Proulx, author of The Shipping News)
“Diana Beresford Kroeger has given readers a rare gift: an inspiring tale about trees, trauma and the very purpose of life. Her Celtic story works on you like a good walk in a pine forest: You can’t help but feel invigorated afterwards.” (Andrew Nikiforuk, award-winning journalist)
What listeners say about To Speak for the Trees
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Georgina W.
- 13-02-24
Tree Wisdom
A fascinating life story and then insight into all of Beresford's knowledge about trees from the chemical structures and effects to the Celtic wisdom from her childhood. A must read now after listening.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Boggy of Bucks
- 03-01-23
Important message, poorly executed
A book with an important message, told by an author with integrity and credibility. There are some awful truths and a lot of reasons for cautious optimism.
It is a shame that the author/narrator’s delivery is stilted. I like a book to read by the author but in this case, I would have preferred a professional. I may buy the physical book though. I think that would be worthwhile.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 11-05-23
Fascinating book from beginning to end
Loved every minute of this book. Such a knowledgeable lady and what a legacy she will leave for the world! Already, I’ve learned so much and can take the practical steps she sets out for us. Thank you Diana
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 24-11-20
An inspiration on all accounts
Such a well articulated life story full of wonder and compassion. A must read for any nature lover.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ms W.
- 23-06-24
A incredible listen
I love everything about this book. incredible pace and voice. I never found a book with so much information about my country Ireland in early times. it explains so much, the story and knowledge Diana has about trees. I will listen again and again until it aborbs into my heart and soul. A must listen, to eduate and be informed about early Ireland and the incredible healing properties of trees. A wonderful healing delivery ❤️ thank you. Philomena Wynne
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- M. Turner
- 29-12-20
wonderful book
Absolutely loved listening to Diana read her magickal book. Her rich Celtic wisdom and scientific knowledge are awe inspiring.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Victoria Jennings
- 04-02-20
My favourite book
Speaks to my heart, so interesting, so much information told in such a beautiful way. I will listen again and again
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- E.Stoneworth
- 17-04-21
Beautiful, powerful, humble
Really beautiful, a powerful journey of both sadness and beauty, told with honesty and a kind spirit x
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Felicity Rudge
- 27-07-23
A gift for your soul
Life feels uplifted having listened to Diana narrate her life’s story. Her magical spirit, enthusiasm for the natural world and courage come through the speaker. Cutting through the heaviness of life.
I will be listening again. And again.
Thank you Diana 🙏🏼
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- J. Bayley
- 04-06-20
superb content
A very inspiring book. Wish I had bought a paper copy though because narration not as good as content
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2 people found this helpful