Get 3 months of Audible free - Get this deal
$21.80 with 5 percent savings
Digital List Price: $22.95

These promotions will be applied to this item:

You have subscribed to ! We will pre-order your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we’ll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle app

  • The Secret Wisdom of Nature: Trees, Animals, and the Extraordinary Balance of All Living Things -— Stories from Science and Observation (Mysteries of Nature Book 3)
  • To view this video, download

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Secret Wisdom of Nature: Trees, Animals, and the Extraordinary Balance of All Living Things -— Stories from Science and Observation (Mysteries of Nature Book 3) Kindle Edition

4.6 out of 5 stars 866 ratings
4.1 on Goodreads
6,881 ratings

' + '' + decodeURIComponent(encodedIframeContent) + ''+''); doc.close(); } } this.iframeload = function () { var iframe = document.getElementById(iframeId); iframe.style.display = ''; setTimeout(function () { setIframeHeight(initialResizeCallback); }, 20); } function getDocHeight(doc) { var contentDiv = doc.getElementById("iframeContent"); var docHeight = 0; if(contentDiv){ docHeight = Math.max( contentDiv.scrollHeight, contentDiv.offsetHeight, contentDiv.clientHeight ); } return docHeight; } function setIframeHeight(resizeCallback) { var iframeDoc, iframe = document.getElementById(iframeId); iframeDoc = ((iframe.contentWindow && iframe.contentWindow.document) || iframe.contentDocument); if (iframeDoc) { var h = getDocHeight(iframeDoc); if (h && h != 0) { iframe.style.height = parseInt(h) + 'px'; if(typeof resizeCallback == "function") { resizeCallback(iframeId); } } else if (nTries < MAX_TRIES) { nTries++; setTimeout(function () { setIframeHeight(resizeCallback); }, 50); } } } this.resizeIframe = function(resizeCallback) { nTries = 0; setIframeHeight(resizeCallback); } } return DynamicIframe; });

“As you read these pages you will understand why I so admire [Peter Wohlleben] and am so in love with his work.”—JANE GOODALL

Nature is full of surprises: deciduous trees affect the rotation of the Earth, cranes sabotage the production of Iberian ham, and coniferous forests can make it rain. But what are the processes that drive these incredible phenomena? And why do they matter?

In The Secret Wisdom of Nature, master storyteller and international sensation Peter Wohlleben takes readers on a thought-provoking exploration of the vast natural systems that make life on Earth possible. In this tour of an almost unfathomable world, Wohlleben describes the fascinating interplay between animals and plants and answers such questions as: How do they influence each other? Do lifeforms communicate across species boundaries? And what happens when this finely tuned system gets out of sync? By introducing us to the latest scientific discoveries and recounting his own insights from decades of observing nature, one of the world’s most famous foresters shows us how to recapture our sense of awe so we can see the world around us with completely new eyes.

Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute.


Great on Kindle
Great Experience. Great Value.
iphone with kindle app
Putting our best book forward
Each Great on Kindle book offers a great reading experience, at a better value than print to keep your wallet happy.

Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip.

View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look.

Enjoy features only possible in digital – start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more.

Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration.

Get the free Kindle app: Link to the kindle app page Link to the kindle app page
Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. Learn more about Great on Kindle, available in select categories.

Shop this series

See full series
There are 3 books in this series.
This option includes 3 books.

Product description

Review

"Peter Wohlleben's curiosity about the natural world, his sense of wonder at its complexity and beauty, and his clear and compelling writing have combined in this book, The Secret Wisdom of Nature. As you read these pages you will understand why I so admire him and am so in love with his work."
-Jane Goodall

"By the end of the book, it's clear that it's we humans who are extraordinary, in ways awful and awesome."
-New York Times

"With an eye for the memorable anecdote... Mr. Wohlleben writes with authority but avoids the temptation of appearing to have all the answers."
-Wall Street Journal

"Peter Wohlleben's bestselling Mysteries of Nature trilogy - The Hidden Life of Trees, The Inner Life of Animals, and his latest... taps into a very human instinct: pattern recognition."
-The Guardian

"Wohlleben examines complex ecosystems and our interventions in them...Fruitful reading for students of the environment and of environmental literature, of which this is a fine specimen indeed."
-Kirkus
(starred review)

"Wohlleben is right to remind us that everything is joined up."
-Evening Standard

"Wohlleben presents scientific evidence with the exuberant wonder of your favorite high school teacher."
-Mindful Magazine

"Wohlleben uses the latest scientific discoveries and his own decades of experience as a forester to present some fascinating revelations."
-Winnipeg Free Press

"[Wohlleben] writes in a wholly readable tone, and with infectious curiosity...[on] the idea that 'we'd do better to keep our hands off everything in nature that we do not absolutely have to touch."
-Georgia Straight

"An absorbing and constantly surprising look at the unexpected connections that make the world work. ...He brilliantly shows us how to see and learn, not command and control."
-William Bryant Logan, author of Dirt and Oak

"Wohlleben writes clearly and eloquently about issues that he obviously cares passionately about, and that makes for compelling reading."
-Anne H. Ehrlich, Senior Research Scientist, emerita, Biology Department, Stanford University

"With scientific accuracy and easy-to-understand language, Peter Wohlleben shows us the secret, sacred relationships among living beings on this miraculous planet."
-Carl Safina
, author of Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel

About the Author

Peter Wohlleben is the acclaimed author of the New York Times-bestsellers The Hidden Life of Trees, The Inner Life of Animals, and The Secret Wisdom of Nature. His children's books include Can You Hear the Trees Talking? and Peter and the Tree Children. He spent over twenty years working for the forestry commission in Germany before leaving to put his ecological ideas into practice. Today he manages a forest academy and an environmentally friendly woodland in Germany, where he is working for the return of primeval forests.

Jane Billinghurst's career has been in book publishing in the UK, the US, and Canada, as an editor, publisher, writer, and translator.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07M945HX8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Greystone Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 5 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 238 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1771643894
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 3 of 3 ‏ : ‎ Mysteries of Nature
  • 鶹 Rank: #240,107 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 866 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Peter Wohlleben
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Peter Wohlleben spent over twenty years working for the forestry commission in Germany before leaving to put his ideas of ecology into practice. He now runs an environmentally friendly woodland in Germany, where he is working towards the return of primeval forests, as well as caring for both wild and domestic animals.

Wohlleben has been celebrated for his distinctive approach to writing about nature; he brings to life groundbreaking scientific research through his observations of nature and the animals he lives amongst. He is also the author of international bestsellers including The Hidden Life of Trees and The Inner Life of Animals.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
866 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers

Customers say

Customers find the book captivating, great, and entertaining. They appreciate the simplicity of the explanations and the author's ability to make complex issues relatable and easy to understand.

Select to learn more

10 customers mention "Content"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the content captivating, entertaining, and well-researched. They say the author is exceptional and deserves an exemplary review. Readers also describe the book as interesting, insightful, and approachable.

"...A captivating read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding and connection to the natural world." Read more

"...This author is exceptional, and deserves an exemplary review...." Read more

"Excellent storytelling made complex issues understandable. Easy to read and you learn a great deal." Read more

"...Peter is such a talented and entertaining writer. Love his work. Hope he never stops." Read more

5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and understandable by laymen. They say the author makes the complicated relatable and easy to understand. Readers also say the book is easy to read and they learn a great deal.

"...smoothly and the author makes the complicated relatable and easy to understand...." Read more

"Excellent storytelling made complex issues understandable. Easy to read and you learn a great deal." Read more

"...This is the book! They are so complex. They look after each other better than people look after each other." Read more

"Very readable and understandable by laymen...." Read more

Top reviews from Canada

  • Reviewed in Canada on January 12, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Wohlleben's book beautifully intertwines scientific findings with a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of nature. He reveals the surprising social lives of trees, their complex communication systems, and their vital role in maintaining a healthy planet. A captivating read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding and connection to the natural world.
  • Reviewed in Canada on July 31, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is the first review I have written and I read many books.
    This author is exceptional, and deserves an exemplary review.
    The content and meaning of this book and the impact it should have on society as a whole make it too important to not write a positive and glowing review.
    I also read the author's excellent The secret life of trees, and learned so very much.
    The writing style flows smoothly and the author makes the complicated relatable and easy to understand.
    I have thoroughly enjoyed the books I have read and plan on obtaining the balance of titles.
    To the author, if you read this review, please accept my thanks for the wonderful content you have provided.
    This book should be read by everyone!
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in Canada on August 21, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Have not read the whole book yet but looks good
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in Canada on August 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book slowly over time, returning to where I had left off. I have been trained in an applied science (agriculture) and enjoy reading about humankind and nature although my attitude is not as positive as that of the author. This is the first book of his that I have read and I look forward to his others.
  • Reviewed in Canada on October 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent storytelling made complex issues understandable. Easy to read and you learn a great deal.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in Canada on April 7, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Trees fascinate me and I wanted to find out more about them. This is the book!
    They are so complex. They look after each other better than people look after each other.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in Canada on March 27, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I have loved his previous publications and loving this one. Peter is such a talented and entertaining writer. Love his work. Hope he never stops.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in Canada on February 17, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Wohlleben's thesis is thoroughly driven home from the outset of this book. The intricacy of nature's connections got somewhat overwhelming for me but certainly demands respect.
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • eli
    1.0 out of 5 stars Un libro mutilo
    Reviewed in Italy on October 30, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Ho ricevuto il libro e l'ho messo da parte per leggerlo poi con calma. In realtà poi leggendolo ho scoperto che mancavano ben 49 pagine, un salto che va da pag. 40 a pag. 89. E il periodo per il reso era ormai scaduto. Una vera fregatura. Ma possibile che non si possa rimediare?
    Report
  • Abelardo Salazar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Mexico on July 21, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A great book to understand how nature works.
  • Sheelagh Hanly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good source of interesting facts on trees
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 28, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Great book to learn about trees
  • sindhu
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great book
    Reviewed in India on July 24, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Worth every penny
  • Attachment+Logic=Mind
    5.0 out of 5 stars What is important is the connection between living people of each speecies
    Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    My doctoral work is in Ataachment and Logic: the necessary and sufficient conditions for the mind. In human beings, left and right hemispheres specialize in one or the other. But the rettina of the eye, which many species have, regardless of varieties of brain structure and function, is part of the brain that migrated to its location, the eye, a very long time ago. Stephen Suomi's work with monkey mothers and babies makes it immensely clear that retina to retina, brain to brain contact, is the most powerful experience in a baby's life. These books connect trees and virus, insect, fungi, wow! The whole 8yards. This is as it should be. We do not yet know how attachment is communicated without retinas although his books make clear we are going to find out in time if we have time.
    I mourn deeply for the damage we've done to our partners in creating life on earth. How greatly we have betrayed our mission here, we human beings whose minds are losing ground, losing connection. Electronic systems as should be clear from these books are pathetic and limited in comparison to the richness, diversity and beauty of life. We need to appreciate other minds far more and place electronic systems on leave. They have been weaponized, they have been developed for the purpose of creating addictions, loss of control, people!
    These books can give us a peek at the vast material we are losing through our greed and failure to look one another in the eye and express our minds. The ricjhness of the huuman mind and the monds of others is so much richer than what electronics allow. I grieve lost for the loss of mind human beings suffer today in the United States. Here electronics are most rapacious. I have not watched television, listened to a radio, read a newspaper, eaten fish, etc since I was 18 years old. My parents died yound and witless of alcoholism. I sensed the danger in electronic systems and I stayed clear. I learn from people, birds, other animals, and school, reading, books. I do not feel in the least impovershed!
    These books are suerb. They will give the mind that is oppen a glimpse of far more.

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?