06/29/2015 British naturalist Gooley (The Natural Navigator) encourages readers to get outdoors and explore the world around them in this handy, fact-filled guide. He plays detective by reading signs in rocks, clouds, and trees. Rather than give information on specific locations, Gooley lays out “techniques that can be applied on any walk in almost any area.” Beginning with discussions about the “ground, the sky, the plants and animals,” he explains how to survey landscapes by looking at shape, overall character, routes, tracks, edges, and detail—a method he devised that goes by the acronym SORTED. For example, understanding the contours of a map before setting out on a hike improves the likelihood that hikers will be “greeted with tea and Mars bars” upon their return “instead of helicopters and news crews.” Subsequent sections on clouds and cloud formations—cumulonimbus, cumulus, cirrus, cirrostratus—are designed to help spot trends in weather patterns. Gooley’s comprehensive volume should pique the curiosity of budding nature-lovers and is ideal for anyone keen on forging a deeper connection with the land. (Aug.)
"[Gooley] has become the global expert on natural navigation, finding his way around the world using nothing but natural clues and pointers. His discovery (made on a sailing expedition to Iceland)—that if, when at sea, you see more than 10 birds in any given five minute window this means you are within 40 miles of land—has become part of the British military’s survival guidance."
"Learning so much . . . that I might have to take another long walk"
"[With this book, readers] can put on a wilderness survival reality tv show in the highland for themselves, like Bear Grylls."
"Gooley can show the most moonstruck how to interpret their surroundings. Even the intrepid Bear Grylls could learn a trick or two from this book."
"While Gooley’s tips encompass useful, practical ways to predict a change in weather, determine when a predator may be prowling and find true North at night, his true gift is in igniting curiosity and wonder about the world around us."
"As with his earlier, equally important The Natural Navigator , this text is densely packed with information, engagingly and clearly written . . . Every outdoor-lover should have at least one Tristan Gooley book in their library. He’s attained national treasure status, as useful and educative as he is endearingly unique."
The Great Outdoors magazine
"I for one will never look at the . . . countryside in quite the same way again."
"In terms of sheer did-you-knows per page it is one of the richest, densest, most rewarding books on nature I have read in a long time . . . its joy in deduction is infectiously delightful."
"How rare to find a book that is truly brilliant. The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs , by Tristan Gooley, is brilliant in the English slang sense (as in being terrific); it is brilliant in its comprehensive conveyance of all the ways to interpret natural and man-made landscapes; and brilliance glitters from Gooley’s sparkling wit."
"Anyone interested in walking out of doors at any time would be well advised to read this excellent book."
The Royal Institute of Navigation
"Feel more confident in your outdoorsiness!"
"Sunday Times Top 10 Bestseller Winner of the Outdoor Book of the Year, The Great Outdoors Awards 2015 2015 INDIEFAB Honorable Mention for Adventure & Recreation "Gooley interprets clues like a private investigator of the wilds, leaving no stone unturned . . . For those inclined to solve mysteries written into the landscape, this author’s lead is one they’ll want to follow."
Sunday Times Top 10 Bestseller Winner of the Outdoor Book of the Year, The Great Outdoors Awards 2015, 2015 INDIEFAB Honorable Mention for Adventure Recreation “Gooley interprets clues like a private investigator of the wilds, leaving no stone unturned . . . For those inclined to solve mysteries written into the landscape, this author’s lead is one they’ll want to follow.”—The Wall Street Journal “[Gooley] has become the global expert on natural navigation, finding his way around the world using nothing but natural clues and pointers. His discovery (made on a sailing expedition to Iceland)—that if, when at sea, you see more than 10 birds in any given five minute window this means you are within 40 miles of land—has become part of the British military’s survival guidance.”—The Daily Beast “How rare to find a book that is truly brilliant. The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs , by Tristan Gooley, is brilliant in the English slang sense (as in being terrific); it is brilliant in its comprehensive conveyance of all the ways to interpret natural and man-made landscapes; and brilliance glitters from Gooley’s sparkling wit.”—Foreword “[With this book, readers] can put on a wilderness survival reality tv show in the highland for themselves, like Bear Grylls.”—Esquire “Gooley’s comprehensive volume should pique the curiosity of budding nature-lovers and is ideal for anyone keen on forging a deeper connection with the land.”—Publishers Weekly “While Gooley’s tips encompass useful, practical ways to predict a change in weather, determine when a predator may be prowling and find true North at night, his true gift is in igniting curiosity and wonder about the world around us.”—Shelf Awareness “In terms of sheer did-you-knows per page it is one of the richest, densest, most rewarding books on nature I have read in a long time . . . its joy in deduction is infectiously delightful.”—James McConnachie, The Sunday Times “I for one will never look at the . . . countryside in quite the same way again.”—Stephen Moss, Countryfile Magazine “Gooley can show the most moonstruck how to interpret their surroundings. Even the intrepid Bear Grylls could learn a trick or two from this book.”—The Times “Feel more confident in your outdoorsiness!”—BookRiot “Anyone interested in walking out of doors at any time would be well advised to read this excellent book.”—The Royal Institute of Navigation “As with his earlier, equally important The Natural Navigator , this text is densely packed with information, engagingly and clearly written . . . Every outdoor-lover should have at least one Tristan Gooley book in their library. He’s attained national treasure status, as useful and educative as he is endearingly unique.”—The Great Outdoors magazine “Learning so much […] that I might have to take another long walk”—Nicholas Crane