The Forest Unseen

Biologist George Haskell reveals a beautifully complex and nuanced view of the natural world by studying a one-square-meter section of forest in Tennessee throughout a period of time, visiting it in various seasons. Narrator Michael Healy presents this exploration of the world that surrounds us yet remains largely hidden from us. His vocal phrasing is varied but ends up sounding repetitive as he progresses through each section of the book--from microbes to salamanders and wildflowers to large mammals. The interrelationships between the various species are revealed in detail, and surprising truths about the ecosystem are presented, but the narration falls into a distracting cadence that makes it difficult to focus on the intricate details. S.E.G. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine