The Forest Unseen: A Year's Watch in Nature by David G. Haskell

"The Forest Unseen: A Year's Watch in Nature" by David G. Haskell is a beautiful exploration of natural phenomenon and the deep interconnectedness of the forest. In this critically-acclaimed book, Haskell takes us with him as he embarks on intense, yearlong exploration of a small forest in Tennessee, on the boundary between the Chattanooga Nature Center and Moccasin Bend.

Throughout the book, we are encouraged to explore and observe the forest in a new way, focusing on the “microcosmic” level of plants and organisms. Haskell reminds us that each organism and tiny detail is integral to the ecosystem, and exploring each of them individually is highly rewarding. Haskell brings us along as he engages with a variety of natural forces, such as birds, salamanders, and fungi, as they interact and evolve in the same location over time.

The author is also excellent at evoking the forest in vivid descriptions and images. Throughout the narrative, Haskell is able to capture the beauty of the natural world in both the tangible and intangible elements of his setting. We can nearly smell the damp moss and feel the life that the forest has to offer. What is even more remarkable is how we can feel the emotions, insights, and experiences of the author as he interacts with his environment.

To further bring us closer to the forest, Haskell incorporates an extensive amount of unique research about his chosen area. As he goes along, Haskell introduces us to an incredible array of minutiae, ranging from the germination cycle of a fern to the elaborate courtship rituals of the Green Tree Frog – all of which contribute to a multi-layered understanding of his own complicated relationship to the natural world.

The Forest Unseen offers a unique and spectacular look into the intricate relationship between us and the unseen ecosystem around us. While Haskell does an admirable job of teaching us about the science, ecology, and biology of the forest, his main goal is to show us the beauty, mystery, and connectedness found in the forest. By taking us on his journey of exploration, Haskell helps us explore what lies beneath the trees and find that same admiration and respect for Nature that he was so lucky to experience.