The Eight Master Lessons of Nature, Gary Ferguson
The Eight Master Lessons of Nature, Gary Ferguson
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The Eight Master Lessons of Nature
What Nature Teaches Us About Living Well in the World

Author: Gary Ferguson

Narrator: Gary Ferguson

Unabridged: 6 hr 56 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 10/22/2019

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.

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.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Linda on October 28, 2019

The true beauty of works by authors like Ferguson is not only related to their superb storytelling ability, but their deep understanding of nature and our connections to all that is around us. His previous books offered moving accounts of wildlife, wilderness areas, and changes that are occurring da......more

Goodreads review by Larry on January 31, 2020

I live in the country on thirty-nine acres of pasture and forest. Most of the day I am busy with raising about 90 sheep, repairing things and looking after other animals. This book caused me to stop and look around the farm without seeing work to be done. It was beautiful. I live in a park. This boo......more

Goodreads review by Strouckje on May 26, 2021

Wetenschappelijk boek over hoe de natuur zichzelf in stand houdt en welke bescheiden rol de mens daarin speelt. Ook over wat de natuur voor de mens en voor jou als persoon kan betekenen. Een boek dat je aan het denken zet.......more

Goodreads review by Nic on February 08, 2020

A beautiful little book, recommended to me by one of the librarians in Cardigan, who noticed I’d ordered Richard Mabey’s latest. Librarians are good; use your local library.......more

Goodreads review by Jon on March 31, 2024

What I liked, I really liked. What I disliked, I really disliked. Such was my experience with this book. Initially drawn in by the title and holding a deep belief in nature as a gift from God, I was eager to delve into it. However, I found myself disheartened when the narrative veered into discussio......more

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

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