Book Review: Around the World in 80 Trees

Book Author: Jonathan Drori, Illustrated by: Lucille Clerc

No affiliate links, and not a sponsored post - just my thoughts on a resource I like.

An inspirational nature and art book

This gorgeous illustrated book about trees is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf (physical or virtual) and it is great for adults and kids alike.

I chanced upon this book in the Cockburn (Success) library near my home in Perth a few months ago. I had gone in to browse their selection of art books both instructional and inspirational. As much as I love e-books, one of the best things about walking physically into a bookstore or library is the ability to browse, to have that tactile experience and to let the covers and titles of books jump out at you.

On my first trip, with an armful of watercolour books and books about Perth’s local wildflowers, I saw the cover of this book out of the corner of my eye as I passed the section on trees. It was calling to me, and I was fascinated, but I had come to the library looking for watercolour books and information on flowers, and I had a TON to get through. There it remained on the shelf for the moment.

The Illustrations

The next trip to the library, it really jumped out at me and I just had to pick it up to flip through it. I was immediately enthralled. Lucille Clerc’s illustrations are stunning!

I would have picked it up for the illustrations alone.

The Stories

But then I started reading, and the stories of these trees are just as compelling if not more so. Narrative and informational, whimsy yet grounded, it weaves together the tale of trees and their contribution to human progress with the genius of nature and evolution. This book is unlike anything I’d read in a long, long time.

It is also perfectly named for in it Jonathan Drori takes us on a trip around the world through trees. Starting in the UK and moving East-ward, he brings us on a journey of the wonderful, majestic, sometimes weird, sometimes sad but always fascinating world of trees.

What makes this book immensely readable and re-readable though, is the impact these particular trees have had on the world around them, and in quite a few cases, the course of human history itself.

A Perfect Pairing

Lucille’s Clerc's detailed, beautiful illustrations show not only the physical aspects of the tree Jonathan shares, but also the unique elements of their story – for example, her illustrations of the majestic jarrah tree are not only stunning for the floral illustrations but illustrations of the jarrah paving that was used in London’s busy streets in the late 1890s.

Like so many stories in the book, the story of the jarrah is one of a beautiful tree, its usefulness leading to unregulated exploitation, with most jarrah forests now gone, from either direct human clearing, global warming or the dieback fungus. Jarrah forests are a stunning feature of the South west Western Australian landscape and to think of the range the forests would have been in is both awe-inspiring and saddening.

Nostalgia, Glee and Wanderlust

There are many trees I have loved reading about in this book – some were completely new to me, but many with a special place in my heart: the sacred banyans and peepuls of India, rubber from passing so many rubber plantations in my childhood as we drove to visit my grandmother in Malaysia, breadfruit from seeing it everywhere in Samoa, the Wollemi pine from a documentary I watched a few years ago, durian which I grew up eating, paper mulberry from having seen the making of beautiful tapa and tapa products in Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.

This book for me was a walk down memory lane and an enticing view to future travels.

I felt a longing for bygone eras, a remorse for our collective destruction of nature, and a child-like glee all at once so often in reading this book.

Every single page in this book is a wonderful delight to read, reminding me of the joy of flicking through pictorial encyclopaedias and learning something new and weird about the world.

A Wonderful Gift

Part history book, part botanical artbook, this would sit on my permanent bookshelf if I had one.

At the moment, it sits on my phone in e-book form, and is very loved. It has been my go-to for flicking through to a random page and just reading.

That said, the book is clearly designed to be read in traditional book form - the pages are designed as spreads, with many spreads having text and illustrations beautifully completing each other across the fold (as in a few of the photos above).

While I am always happy to have e-books of my favourite books wherever I am, the ability to only read one page at a time rather than a full spread does diminish the experience on mobile tablets at least.

If you love the physical tactile experience of reading, you'll also understand what I mean when I say, it just isn't the same.

I often sat in a sofa in a corner, looking out of the window, hot chocolate, tea or coffee next to me as I read this book when at home. I can't think of a better way to spend a cold winter's morning. So, for anyone who isn't constrained on space (and doesn't hate the idea of having physical books) I'd say go with the physical book.

Who would this be great for?

This is a great gift for any curious adult. I also think it would be a great gift for anyone who loves travel.

Anyone who appreciates illustration, and anyone who loves pretty books (I actually like the soft-cover version more than the hard-cover) would delight in this.

It is great for adults, and older kids although if a parent were to read it to their younger child (with some edits) there is a lot here for younger kids to love too.

Finally, if you’re looking for a gift for the nature or tree lovers in your life, this is a beautiful option that will likely be appreciated for years to come (unless they already have it!).

For me, 2020 was a rekindling of a love for nature - not that it ever went away - but that curiosity to learn more, to explore and to understand was reignited last year, and this book was another lovely addition to that journey.

I can think of a dozen people who I'd give this to - is there someone you would gift this to? I'd love to know!