The Eight Master Lessons of Nature - by Gary Ferguson (Hardcover)

About the Book

With new insights into the inner workings of nature's wonders, Ferguson presents a fascinating exploration into how many of the most remarkable aspects of nature are hardwired into people's very DNA. What emerges is a dazzling web of connections that holds powerful clues about how to better navigate daily life.

Book Synopsis

A riveting manifesto for the millions of people who long to forge a more vital, meaningful connection to the natural world to live a better, more fulfilling life

Looking around at the world today--a world of skyscrapers, super highways, melting ice caps, and rampant deforestation--it is easy to feel that humanity has actively severed its ties with nature. It's no wonder that we are starving to rediscover a connection with the natural world.

With new insights into the inner workings of nature's wonders, Gary Ferguson presents a fascinating exploration into how many of the most remarkable aspects of nature are hardwired into our very DNA. What emerges is a dazzling web of connections that holds powerful clues about how to better navigate our daily lives.

Through cutting-edge data and research, drawing on science, psychology, history, and philosophy, The Eight Master Lessons of Nature will leave readers with a feeling of hope, excitement, and joy. It is a dazzling statement about the powers of physical, mental, and spiritual wellness that come from reclaiming our relationship with Mother Nature. Lessons about mystery, loss, the fine art of rising again, how animals make us smarter, and how the planet's elders make us better at life are unforgettable and transformative.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Eight Master Lessons of Nature
"It's hard to put down the phone and pay attention to the larger world--but as this insightful book makes clear, that kind of attention to the natural world can help set us on better paths for our lives, our societies, and our futures."--Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy and Eaarth

"This beautiful book will make your genes ache with homesickness for the mystery we sprang from. Luckily, it's waiting right outside. Let Gary Ferguson take you there. You'll remember, and you'll thank him."--Alan Weisman, author of The World Without Us and Countdown

"I saw truth. I saw beauty, I saw a better future in these pages."--John Lewis-Stempel, author of the bestselling Meadowland, The Running Hare, The Wood and Still Water

"In this expansive survey, nature writer Ferguson (Walking Down the Wild) argues that nature's 'harmony, balance, and rhythm' can teach humans how to live peaceful, vital lives. Ferguson's eight assertions each speak to the powerful connections he sees between the natural and human worlds, each beginning with his lushly delivered observations of nature."--Publishers Weekly

"A mellow, meditative book for nature lovers and those who want to reconnect with the world around them."--Kirkus

"Ferguson relates in details the wondrous intricacies found in nature and emphasizes the necessity of healing the planet, not just for the sake of the plants and other animals, but humanity as well. This inspirational work will spur readers to start noticing the world around them."--Library Journal

About the Author

Gary Ferguson has written for a variety of national publications, including Vanity Fair, Orion, The Chicago Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times, and is the author of twenty-five books on nature and science. In March 2017 Gary's lead essay for Orion magazine--titled "A Deeper Boom"--was selected by the American Society of Journalists and Authors as the Best Essay of 2016. For the past twenty years, he has given keynote lectures on the ecological and psychological values of nature around the country. He is also a member of the National Geographic Lecture Series, and for ten years--from 2006-2016--was on the faculty of the Rainier Writing Workshop MFA program at Pacific Lutheran University.