The Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs: Use Outdoor Clues to Find Your Way, Predict the Weather, Locate Water, Track Animals and Other Forgotten Skills

Tristan Gooley (The Natural Navigator) has spent more than 20 years walking through the countryside and along the coasts of England, and is the only living person who has both flown and sailed solo across the Atlantic. In The Lost Art of Reading Nature's Signs, Gooley generously shares his astute observations of natural (and fabricated) elements--trees, plants and animals, clouds, stars and planets, and cities, towns and villages. Although Gooley's home is England, he is a world traveler and his observations are universally helpful.

Gooley's recommendations are oriented toward the curious and practical, and can be applied to any walk in nearly any location: "This is a book about outdoor clues and signs and the art of making predictions and deductions... to make your walks, however long or short, eminently more fascinating." For example, the smell of smoke may indicate a temperature inversion in the air; therefore, fog may be likely in the morning or evening, but will not last long. The prevailing wind direction can be ascertained by noticing which side of the trees is thicker with branches. Our fists can be used to determine how long before the sun sets, and the placement of shops and cafes reflects the flow of foot traffic. 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. --Kristen Galles from Book Club Classics

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