A Year In The Maine Woods

It is a good read!

Very much enjoyed this book. Also the location of it is almost in my “backyard”! I could relate well with the writer and the overall subject of the book.

I grew up loving the woods of Southern New England and thus felt right at home with the author in his Maine woods. It is a light, somewhat disorganized read that for me was very relaxing. He is obviously very knowledgeable of the plants and animals present in his woods. These are not that different than the woods of my youth. But, I felt that it might not be as enjoyable a read for those that had not spent a fair amount of time learning about the plants and animals of the northeastern U.S.

I've read several of Heinrich's books and have never been disappointed. Some reviewers compare him to Thoreau, favorably or not. While in certain places he does evoke thoughts of Thoreau, that is not what he is trying to do, contrary to what some reviewers seem to think.As a word-class biologist and naturalist, Heinrich approaches his story of life in the Maine woods from two vantage points. First, as a scientist/naturalist, and then as a long-time resident of the area of Maine he calls home. The two themes are interwoven with a seasonal view of life in his cabin.Unlike Thoreau, who was an amateur nineteenth century naturalist and literary philosopher, Heinrich has the advantage of being both a keen observer and a trained scientist, albeit one who grew up surrounded by nature before receiving his academic research training as a physiological ecologist. While some might find the detail he presents in places to be too much, those who really wish to learn about combining the powers of observation with scientific insights will be richly rewarded.I must take exception to the reviewer who termed this book an "ego trip".Heinrich is hardly parading his vast scientific knowledge for the sake of seeming erudite. The man has garnered numerous scientific and literary kudos, for both his research and nature writing, so I suspect he hardly needs to engage in an "ego trip" by trying to ape Thoreau. In fact, given his vast knowledge of biology, I would say that he strikes a good balance between telling a personal story and presenting scientific facts and insights in the context of his experience.Having spent a few years in the area of Maine that Heinrich loves and writes about so well, I think that he does a wonderful job capturing both the nature and the lifestyle of rural Maine. If you are the type of person who enjoys taking walks in company of expertise, you will enjoy this book.

If you enjoy reading about the natural world you might enjoy Professor Heinrich's story of living in Maine and his deep knowledge and interest in what is right in front of him. I liked the book so much I bought another copy and mailed it to a friend for Christmas.

Not planning to review this book, I changed my mind after perusing the reviews for "A Year in the Maine Woods." Most of them are by people who miss the point of his book (and, dare I say, life) entirely.Yes, Bernd is foremost a Zoologist, and so does get a bit technical at times, but his over-whelming love of nature--and the sense that he's just a good guy doing what many of us are afraid to do (i.e. kick in our TeeVees and "get back to nature")--is enough for my vote.In addition to the natural science found in these pages, I very much enjoyed his mundane, day-to-day observations (every time he made coffee or drank a beer, I inwardly smiled). He mixes his love for the woods with a few 21st-century earthly pleasures, as well he should. Of course he's no Thoreau, and I don't think he is in anyway trying to be. Still, he's a damn-sight closer to Nature and the ideas and mind of H.D.T than most.Truly a pleasurable read. Thanks, Bernd.

The book arrived in a timely fashion and in excellent condition, better than I expected.

I read this book a number of years ago (and have two signed copies!) and I do love it. It is an intimate look at the nature surrounding Dr. Heinrich's cabin in the woods of western Maine. Yes, it's true that he did not live in solitude for a year with no human interaction, but the man did live in an unheated cabin during the Maine winter! Even Thoreau didn't live in complete solitude during his "year alone"-- he was only a mile and a half from others. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book to read and re-read.

What can I say a wonderful BERND HEINRICH book again in very good condition just as described and the name Barton Lewis written on the book from the USA.

My favorite author does it again. It's a book I couldn't put down. Highly recommended for anyone interested in what really goes on in the forest when we know what to look for. Easy reading and very enjoyable.

excellent