Winner of The Royal Society of Literature Jerwood Award for Non-Fiction in 2011 and the Authors' Foundation Roger Deakin Award in 2011 A stunning debut in the tradition of Robert Macfarlane and Helen Macdonald

Before the "Origin of Species", accepted thinking held that life was the static and perfect creation of God. By a single, systematic argument Darwin called this view into question. This edition includes brief biographies of some of the most important scientific thinkers leading up to and surrounding the "Origin of Species".

From the walnut tree at his Suffolk home, the author embarks upon a quest that takes him through Britain, across Europe, to Central Asia and Australia, in search of what lies behind man's profound and enduring connection with wood and with trees. He tells about the element wood, as it exists in nature, in our souls, in our culture and our lives.