Deeper Into the Wood: a year in the life of an amateur naturalist, by the author of critically acclaimed 'A Wood of One's Own'

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In the late 1990s, Ruth Pavey bought four acres of scrub land above the Somerset Levels. She devoted the next two decades to improving the land into a lush wood; a haven for birds, insects and all manner of wildlife. Beneath the shade of the trees, she now reflects on the fate of her wood.

Deeper Into the Wood recounts a year in the life of an amateur naturalist working with wildlife experts to interpret the language of the land with the aim of preserving the wood for generations to come. Lyrically told stories of local people and regional history are accompanied throughout by Ruth's beautifully hand-drawn illustrations.

Reviews

A wonderfully personal evocation of the joys, hard work and meaning of creating a wood for wildlife, written with sensitivity and care. A delightful readStephen Moss, author of The Robin: A Biography

A rare treat of a book that warms as itinforms and leads us deep into the character of one small pocket of England. Ruth Pavey writes with wit, passion and precious little sentimentality'Tristan Gooley, author of The Secret World of Weather

Wonderful... how love for a small woodland and respect for its local history canenhance wildlife and enrich the human spiritNick Davies, author of Cuckoo: Cheating by Nature

Ruth Pavey spins a delicate web between the many branches of her little Somerset wood. Her closely observed changes of wildlife and the changing seasons, echo a growing awareness and concern for life on Earth itself. The authors growth and metamorphosis intoan amateur naturalist who has learnt to read the language of trees is profoundly inspirationalGabriel Hemery, author of The New Sylva

Inquisitive and generous. Pavey shares the love of her wood,past and present, through a fascinating weave of its natural and cultural histories.This book is as companionable as it is interesting'Patrick Baker, author of The Unremembered Places

Author Bio

Ruth Paveyis the Gardening Correspondent for theHam & High. She attended the Rusking School of Drawing and Fine Art, Oxford, and a selection of her illustrated works are included inA Wood of One's Own, her critically acclaimed debut memoir.Pavey has reviewed books and written features for publications including theObserver,Guardian, New Statesman, Crafts, and theGarden, and was a contributor to BBC Radio 4's programmeKaleidoscope.