Overview

"When most of us go for a walk, a single sense--sight--tends to dominate our experience. But when New York Times-bestselling author and expert navigator Tristan Gooley goes for a walk, he uses all five senses to ""read"" everything nature has to offer. A single lowly weed can serve as his compass, calendar, clock, and even pharmacist. In How to Read Nature, Gooley introduces readers to his world--where the sky, sea, and land teem with marvels. Plus, he shares 15 exercises to sharpen all of your senses. Soon you'll be making your own discoveries, every time you step outside!"

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9781615193585

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Reviews

<b>Praise for <i>How to Read Water</i> </b> With the help of this book, and with careful attention and observation, anyone can learn how to interpret the messages water offers to aid in everything from navigation to weather forecasting. A riveting and highly accessible book that will appeal to water enthusiasts and nature lovers of all kinds. <i><b>Library Journal</b></i> Avid and budding outdoorspeople will appreciate Gooley s breadth of knowledge and accessible approach. <b><i>Publishers Weekly</i></b> A<i>Sunday Times</i> Must Read book This inspired guide to water in all its forms will make a big splash. . . . Gooley has done his subject proud this is seriously fascinating stuff. <b><i>Times</i></b> This study of the behavior of rivers, lakes, and seas brims over with astonishing facts. . . . His observational skills can be breathtaking. . . . Gooley's infectious delight in knowledge translates into a gleeful hoarding of words . . . . The joy of these words and phenomena is that they make you yearn to observe them in the real world. . . . Gooley even manages to explain tides coherently and excitingly in just 14 pages, which is quite some feat, given that they are a lot more complicated than being a mere effect of the moon's gravity. <b><i>Sunday Times</i></b> The quirks and habits and secrets of good old H2O were crying out to have a book written about them. That said, it had to be written by the right person. . . . Fortunately, the job went to Tristan Gooley. . . . His tales recount wisdom gathered on the ground (literally), often by trial and error, and his joy at discovering something almost makes you feel you did the work yourself. . . . The book doesn't just cover the rural sections of the waterfront: urban dwellers get a look-in too. <b><i>Spectator</i></b> Quite apart from being well written and an enjoyable read, there is plenty in the book that is revelatory. <b><i>The Royal Institute of Navigation</i></b> He writes with passion, humor, and clarity, and engages so deeply with the tributaries of inquiry that reading it feels as exhilarating as being towed by a dolphin. . . . There's so much here that I can't do it justice; chapters on water at night; currents and tides; reading waves; the coast. This is an absolute gem of a book. A must-have for anyone who loves the water. <b><i>The Outdoor Swimming Society</i></b> The goal of the author is to have his readers never look at water the same way after reading this book. He has certainly achieved his objective and I doubt I will now ever be able to walk past a lake or even a pond without checking for surface patterns. <b><i>thebookbag.co.uk</i></b> Gooley, who has single-handedly been reviving natural navigation in this age of GPS, has the birdwatching skills of Bill Oddie and the deductive powers of Sherlock Holmes. He can make you feel that you've spent half your life walking about with your eyes only half-open. He does it again with this fascinating guide to watching and interpreting water, everywhere from the garden pond to the Pacific. <b><i>Telegraph</i></b>

"The quirks and habits and secrets of good old H2O were crying out to have a book written about them. That said, it had to be written by the right person. . . . Fortunately, the job went to Tristan Gooley. . . . His tales recount wisdom gathered on the ground (literally), often by trial and error, and his joy at discovering something almost makes you feel you did the work yourself. . . . The book doesn't just cover the rural sections of the waterfront: urban dwellers get a look-in too.-- ""Spectator"" Avid and budding outdoorspeople will appreciate Gooley's breadth of knowledge and accessible approach.-- ""Publishers Weekly"" Even if you don't live near a lake, river or ocean, this fascinating book teaches you how to read water patterns in rain puddles and any other place water gathers.-- ""San Francisco Chronicle"" Gooley is your man. . . . With unflappable practicality, he shares simple ways to understand your surroundings, whether you're beside a stream or on the open sea at night, without instruments.-- ""Discover"" Gooley, who has single-handedly been reviving natural navigation in this age of GPS, has the birdwatching skills of Bill Oddie and the deductive powers of Sherlock Holmes. He can make you feel that you've spent half your life walking about with your eyes-- ""Telegraph"" He writes with passion, humor, and clarity, and engages so deeply with the tributaries of inquiry that reading it feels as exhilarating as being towed by a dolphin. . . . There's so much here that I can't do it justice; chapters on water at night; currents and tides; reading waves; the coast. This is an absolute gem of a book. A must-have for anyone who loves the water.-- ""The Outdoor Swimming Society"" Quite apart from being well written and an enjoyable read, there is plenty in the book that is revelatory.-- ""The Royal Institute of Navigation"" The goal of the author is to have his readers never look at water the same way after reading this book. He has certainly achieved his objective and I doubt I will now ever be able to walk past a lake or even a pond without checking for surface patterns.-- ""thebookbag.co.uk"" This book is a treasure is in its un-ironic display of joyful curiosity, and its serious pursuit of this curiosity to knowledge that is a pleasure in itself.-- ""Washington Free Beacon"" This study of the behavior of rivers, lakes, and seas brims over with astonishing facts. . . . His observational skills can be breathtaking. . . . Gooley's infectious delight in knowledge translates into a gleeful hoarding of words . . . . The joy of these words and phenomena is that they make you yearn to observe them in the real world. . . . Gooley even manages to explain tides coherently and excitingly in just 14 pages, which is quite some feat, given that they are a lot more complicated than being a mere effect of the moon's gravity.-- ""Sunday Times"" With the help of this book, and with careful attention and observation, anyone can learn how to interpret the messages water offers to aid in everything from navigation to weather forecasting. A -riveting and highly accessible book that will appeal to water enthusiasts and nature lovers of all kinds.-- ""Library Journal"" A New York Times Bestseller A Forbes Top 10 Conservation and Environment Book of 2016 2016 Foreword INDIES Bronze Winner ""Mr. Gooley misses little in his paean to Earth's most abundant resource. . . . He starts small, at a mud puddle watching ripples fan out from a pebble drop, and ends big, in the frigid reaches of the Arctic Sea. Along the way he asks and answers many questions. If you like water, as I do, you will learn a lot.-- ""The Wall Street Journal"" A Sunday Times ""Must Read"" book ""This inspired guide to water in all its forms will make a big splash. . . . Gooley has done his subject proud--this is seriously fascinating stuff.-- ""Times"" [Gooley's] detailed observations are breathtaking as he patiently explains how to see. Jam-packed with information, birders, naturalists, hikers, hunters, and anyone interested in the natural world will find much of use.-- ""Forbes"""

<b>Praise for <i>How to Read Water</i> </b> Mr. Gooley misses little in his paean to Earth s most abundant resource. . . . He starts small, at a mud puddle watching ripples fan out from a pebble drop, and ends big, in the frigid reaches of the Arctic Sea. Along the way he asks and answers many questions. If you like water, as I do, you will learn a lot. <b><i>The Wall Street Journal</i></b> Gooley is your man. . . . With unflappable practicality, he shares simple ways to understand your surroundings, whether you re beside a stream or on the open sea at night, without instruments. <i> <b>Discover </b></i> With the help of this book, and with careful attention and observation, anyone can learn how to interpret the messages water offers to aid in everything from navigation to weather forecasting. A riveting and highly accessible book that will appeal to water enthusiasts and nature lovers of all kinds. <i><b>Library Journal</b></i> Avid and budding outdoorspeople will appreciate Gooley s breadth of knowledge and accessible approach. <b><i>Publishers Weekly</i></b> A<i>Sunday Times</i> Must Read book This inspired guide to water in all its forms will make a big splash. . . . Gooley has done his subject proud this is seriously fascinating stuff. <b><i>Times</i></b> This study of the behavior of rivers, lakes, and seas brims over with astonishing facts. . . . His observational skills can be breathtaking. . . . Gooley's infectious delight in knowledge translates into a gleeful hoarding of words . . . . The joy of these words and phenomena is that they make you yearn to observe them in the real world. . . . Gooley even manages to explain tides coherently and excitingly in just 14 pages, which is quite some feat, given that they are a lot more complicated than being a mere effect of the moon's gravity. <b><i>Sunday Times</i></b> The quirks and habits and secrets of good old H2O were crying out to have a book written about them. That said, it had to be written by the right person. . . . Fortunately, the job went to Tristan Gooley. . . . His tales recount wisdom gathered on the ground (literally), often by trial and error, and his joy at discovering something almost makes you feel you did the work yourself. . . . The book doesn't just cover the rural sections of the waterfront: urban dwellers get a look-in too. <b><i>Spectator</i></b> Quite apart from being well written and an enjoyable read, there is plenty in the book that is revelatory. <b><i>The Royal Institute of Navigation</i></b> He writes with passion, humor, and clarity, and engages so deeply with the tributaries of inquiry that reading it feels as exhilarating as being towed by a dolphin. . . . There's so much here that I can't do it justice; chapters on water at night; currents and tides; reading waves; the coast. This is an absolute gem of a book. A must-have for anyone who loves the water. <b><i>The Outdoor Swimming Society</i></b> The goal of the author is to have his readers never look at water the same way after reading this book. He has certainly achieved his objective and I doubt I will now ever be able to walk past a lake or even a pond without checking for surface patterns. <b><i>thebookbag.co.uk</i></b> Gooley, who has single-handedly been reviving natural navigation in this age of GPS, has the birdwatching skills of Bill Oddie and the deductive powers of Sherlock Holmes. He can make you feel that you've spent half your life walking about with your eyes only half-open. He does it again with this fascinating guide to watching and interpreting water, everywhere from the garden pond to the Pacific. <b><i>Telegraph</i></b> This book is a treasure is in its un-ironic display of joyful curiosity, and its serious pursuit of this curiosity to knowledge that is a pleasure in itself. <b><i>Washington Free Beacon</i></b>

Praise for The Lost Art of Reading Nature s Signs Winner of the Outdoor Book of the Year, The Great Outdoors Awards 2015 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 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 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 Praise for The Natural Navigator Eagle Scouts don't hold a candle or compass to Gooley, a professional outdoorsman if there ever was one and an engaging proponent of navigation au naturale in this compelling guide. Readers will learn how to evaluate clues in nature from stars in the night sky to evaporating puddles underfoot to discover where they are and how to get where they need to go. Gooley's particular spin is that this subject is not just about survival skills; it's an art form that can reveal to anyone willing to look hard enough the beauty and utility of nature's patterns. It is, he writes, about reintroducing a childlike curiosity to the journey. But it is also about applying discipline and scientific rigor to how we move through the world. Chockfull of incredibly useful information ranging from the simple (e.g., how to make a sun dial) to the more complex (e.g., how to outline the sun's arc based on latitude), this book will appeal to veteran trailblazers and cautious nature-lovers alike. Indeed, for those prone to stick to the Discovery Channel rather than venture afoot, Gooley's personal travel anecdotes alone are enough to make this worth a read. Inexperienced hikers will nevertheless want to keep a compass handy on their next outing, but with Gooley's tome in tow, the journey will be all the more rewarding. Publishers Weekly [A] deeply poetic book . . . Mr. Gooley provides ample instructions, complete with diagrams of wind patterns and tide heights, for living and traveling like a natural navigator. The Wall Steet Journal This in-depth book gives us the tools to reengage with our natural world in a clear and understandable way. I love it! Bear Grylls, author of The Kid Who Climbed Everest and Man vs. Wild The perfect book for getting you started on your own adventure. Sir Ranulph Fiennes, adventurer and author of Race to the Pole The Natural Navigator is a wonderfully stimulating book. Tristan Gooley sidesteps technology to celebrate our own powers of observation, and suggests that the art of natural navigation is something we should never have forgotten. Michael Palin Before GPSes, people navigated by the stars, the wind and shadows on the ground. Tristan Gooley, an English adventurer, shows how it s done in The Natural Navigator. . . This fascinating book is filled with surprising facts. Washington Post Gooley, a longtime adventurer who teaches what he calls natural navigation, has compiled an intriguing trove of tips and tricks from cultures such as the Inuit and Aborigines . . . Even for readers who never intend to rely on these tips to find their way through the wilderness, The Natural Navigator is a great primer on how the forces of nature affect the landscapes and seascapes that everyone travels through. Science News [P]rovides a delightful refresher course . . . His enthusiasm for the basic facts of earth science and astronomy are part of the charm of The Natural Navigator. The Providence Journal Packed with helpful illustrations, Gooley opens your eyes to the clues that the natural world happily shares with all of us, if we just take the time to look. . . . A truly vital book for any outdoor adventurer. Cabin Life As Gooley reminds us, navigation is, first of all, about understanding where you are. His marvelous book is a good starting point. Geographical Magazine This wonderful book takes the skill set back several generations further, to the vanishing (but often surprisingly simple) arts of navigating by sun, moon, stars and natural phenomena. If this sounds arcane and unlikely, it s not: armchair readers will revel in the beautifully written material on myth, science, folklore and history, and the fascinating details and tips . . . This is the sort of charming and inspiring book you want to recommend and buy for others. A must for any lover of the outdoors. The Telegraph The best nature writing changes the way you experience the world. Tristan Gooley s The Natural Navigator will teach you how to find your way using not just the moon, sun and stars but spider s webs, tennis courts and even ruts on a track. He throws in entertaining anecdotes from the history of navigation and from his own impressive Atlantic journeys, but really he s giving you an addictive hobby, and a newly refined sense of time and place. The Sunday Times (London) Gooley s calm, contemplative authority on matters solar, lunar and celestial establishes his guru credentials but it s his revelations about the clues that lie scattered about the natural environment that really entrance: how puddles drying on paths, the shapes of sand dunes, the graininess of scree on the lee of a slope can all be enlisted to summon compass points to your horizon. Time Out London Gooley is a fine writer with a philosophical passion for the subject, and he occasionally veers into areas that are perhaps not strictly within the remit of the book, but these are effortlessly pleasant diversions that add to the whole. His timing is strong, with anecdotes dropped in at just the right intervals to keep you turning the pages. His advice is at times glorious in its simplicity and fascinating in its execution. The Irish Times In a sat-nav dominated world, where GPS and a host of other acronyms designed to get us from A to B have overtaken paper maps, it is refreshing to meet someone who understands technology, but prefers to find his way by practicing the rare and ancient art of using nature s signposts, from puddle patterns to shadow lengths . . . I m hooked. Back at the beech, I make a mental note of emerging bluebell patches, forming an internal map that I ll use to find my way around the wood. BBC Wildlife Magazine Gooley artfully covers all a natural navigator would need to know for any situation he or she may find themselves in, be it a wilderness trek, a jaunt through the local woods, or just the walk to work. The Englewood Review of Books

Praise for The Lost Art of Reading Nature s Signs Winner of the Outdoor Book of the Year, The Great Outdoors Awards 2015 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 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 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 Praise for The Natural Navigator Eagle Scouts don't hold a candle or compass to Gooley, a professional outdoorsman if there ever was one and an engaging proponent of navigation au naturale in this compelling guide. Readers will learn how to evaluate clues in nature?from stars in the night sky to evaporating puddles underfoot?to discover where they are and how to get where they need to go. Gooley's particular spin is that this subject is not just about survival skills; it's an art form that can reveal to anyone willing to look hard enough the beauty and utility of nature's patterns. It is, he writes, about reintroducing a childlike curiosity to the journey. But it is also about applying discipline and scientific rigor to how we move through the world. Chockfull of incredibly useful information ranging from the simple (e.g., how to make a sun dial) to the more complex (e.g., how to outline the sun's arc based on latitude), this book will appeal to veteran trailblazers and cautious nature-lovers alike. Indeed, for those prone to stick to the Discovery Channel rather than venture afoot, Gooley's personal travel anecdotes alone are enough to make this worth a read. Inexperienced hikers will nevertheless want to keep a compass handy on their next outing, but with Gooley's tome in tow, the journey will be all the more rewarding. Publishers Weekly [A] deeply poetic book . . . Mr. Gooley provides ample instructions, complete with diagrams of wind patterns and tide heights, for living and traveling like a natural navigator. The Wall Steet Journal This in-depth book gives us the tools to reengage with our natural world in a clear and understandable way. I love it! Bear Grylls, author of The Kid Who Climbed Everest and Man vs. Wild The perfect book for getting you started on your own adventure. Sir Ranulph Fiennes, adventurer and author of Race to the Pole The Natural Navigator is a wonderfully stimulating book. Tristan Gooley sidesteps technology to celebrate our own powers of observation, and suggests that the art of natural navigation is something we should never have forgotten. Michael Palin Before GPSes, people navigated by the stars, the wind and shadows on the ground. Tristan Gooley, an English adventurer, shows how it s done in The Natural Navigator. . . This fascinating book is filled with surprising facts. Washington Post Gooley, a longtime adventurer who teaches what he calls natural navigation, has compiled an intriguing trove of tips and tricks from cultures such as the Inuit and Aborigines . . . Even for readers who never intend to rely on these tips to find their way through the wilderness, The Natural Navigator is a great primer on how the forces of nature affect the landscapes and seascapes that everyone travels through. Science News [P]rovides a delightful refresher course . . . His enthusiasm for the basic facts of earth science and astronomy are part of the charm of The Natural Navigator. The Providence Journal Packed with helpful illustrations, Gooley opens your eyes to the clues that the natural world happily shares with all of us, if we just take the time to look. . . . A truly vital book for any outdoor adventurer. Cabin Life As Gooley reminds us, navigation is, first of all, about understanding where you are. His marvelous book is a good starting point. Geographical Magazine This wonderful book takes the skill set back several generations further, to the vanishing (but often surprisingly simple) arts of navigating by sun, moon, stars and natural phenomena. If this sounds arcane and unlikely, it s not: armchair readers will revel in the beautifully written material on myth, science, folklore and history, and the fascinating details and tips . . . This is the sort of charming and inspiring book you want to recommend and buy for others. A must for any lover of the outdoors. The Telegraph The best nature writing changes the way you experience the world. Tristan Gooley s The Natural Navigator will teach you how to find your way using not just the moon, sun and stars but spider s webs, tennis courts and even ruts on a track. He throws in entertaining anecdotes from the history of navigation and from his own impressive Atlantic journeys, but really he s giving you an addictive hobby, and a newly refined sense of time and place. The Sunday Times (London) Gooley s calm, contemplative authority on matters solar, lunar and celestial establishes his guru credentials?but it s his revelations about the clues that lie scattered about the natural environment that really entrance: how puddles drying on paths, the shapes of sand dunes, the graininess of scree on the lee of a slope can all be enlisted to summon compass points to your horizon. Time Out London Gooley is a fine writer with a philosophical passion for the subject, and he occasionally veers into areas that are perhaps not strictly within the remit of the book, but these are effortlessly pleasant diversions that add to the whole. His timing is strong, with anecdotes dropped in at just the right intervals to keep you turning the pages. His advice is at times glorious in its simplicity and fascinating in its execution. The Irish Times In a sat-nav dominated world, where GPS and a host of other acronyms designed to get us from A to B have overtaken paper maps, it is refreshing to meet someone who understands technology, but prefers to find his way by practicing the rare and ancient art of using nature s signposts, from puddle patterns to shadow lengths . . . I m hooked. Back at the beech, I make a mental note of emerging bluebell patches, forming an internal map that I ll use to find my way around the wood. BBC Wildlife Magazine Gooley artfully covers all a natural navigator would need to know for any situation he or she may find themselves in, be it a wilderness trek, a jaunt through the local woods, or just the walk to work. The Englewood Review of Books

Author Information

TRISTAN GOOLEY is the New York Times-bestselling author of How to Read a Tree, How to Read Nature, The Natural Navigator, The Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs, The Secret World of Weather, and The Nature Instinct. He has led expeditions on five continents, climbed mountains in three, and is the only living person to have both flown and sailed solo across the Atlantic. His more than two decades of pioneering outdoor experience include research among tribal peoples in some of the remotest regions on Earth.

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