In Search of the Canary Tree, Lauren E. Oakes
In Search of the Canary Tree, Lauren E. Oakes
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In Search of the Canary Tree
The Story of a Scientist, a Cypress, and a Changing World

Author: Lauren E. Oakes

Narrator: Ellen Archer

Unabridged: 8 hr 27 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Basic Books

Published: 11/27/2018

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included

Synopsis

The award-winning and surprisingly hopeful story of one woman's search for resiliency in a warming world

Several years ago, ecologist Lauren E. Oakes set out from California for Alaska's old-growth forests to hunt for a dying tree: the yellow-cedar. With climate change as the culprit, the death of this species meant loss for many Alaskans. Oakes and her research team wanted to chronicle how plants and people could cope with their rapidly changing world. Amidst the standing dead, she discovered the resiliency of forgotten forests, flourishing again in the wake of destruction, and a diverse community of people who persevered to create new relationships with the emerging environment. Eloquent, insightful, and deeply heartening, In Search of the Canary Tree is a case for hope in a warming world.

Reviews

Goodreads review by David on August 30, 2018

In Search of the Canary Tree refers to the phrase “canary in the coal mine” – the harbinger of disaster. It is the story of a Stanford graduate student who found herself totally immersed in the fast-disappearing yellow-cedar of Alaska’s southeast coast. She was fishing for a doctoral thesis topic, a......more

Goodreads review by Koen on January 08, 2019

Am i starting the year off with a five-star book? Having just finished the second half of the book in one sitting and still processing i think i am. I think this 250 page book is a true gem. Considering it's length there is really a lot too this book and Oakes' thoughtful narrative touches on many l......more

Goodreads review by Jane on April 13, 2022

I loved this book! What a great combination of a personal story, scientific research, and SE Alaska. It turns out I personally know many of the people she writes about. Couldn’t put it down. Now I need to tell all my friends to read it.......more

Goodreads review by Betsy on February 18, 2019

2.5 stars. I really wanted to enjoy this book, but it felt bland and forced. There were a few bright moments, but overall I couldn’t wait to finish it.......more

Goodreads review by Olivia on January 29, 2023

Such a wonderful example of how a PhD dissertation can double as beautiful storytelling 💚 It was cool to read about Lauren Oakes’ journey through grad school and grapple with what to do with what she learned about yellow-cedar and climate change. I also thought it was really inspiring to see how int......more

Quotes

A finalist for the 2019 National Academies of Science, Medicine, and Engineering Communication Award
One of Science Friday's "Best Science Books of 2018"
One of Buzzfeed's "Best Books of 2018"
A Chicago Review of Books Pick for "Best Nature Writing of 2018"
Second Prize, Society of Environmental Journalists' Rachel Carson Environmental Book Award, 2019

"This tale weaves together strands of science, human struggles, philosophy and the quest for a life of meaning and resilience in the face of climate change."—Society of Environmental Journalists award citation

"Oakes is as meticulous with her writing as she is with her science...Compelling...One of the rare books that captures the reality of the fieldwork experience."—Science

"Beautiful, bracing, and even heartening. Oakes is a conservation scientist studying the imperiled yellow cedars of Alaska and her research leads her to ponder resilience in profound ways, from natural adaptation to human determination."—Science Friday

"Oakes can really write. She weaves her musings about humans' place in a warming world together with conservation science in a moving and effective way...A terrific book. Its message rings out clearly."—NPR

"In Search of the Canary Tree is an effort to push past the vulnerability, fear and helplessness that many--scientists included--feel in the face of climate change. The book shows, through both the data and more philosophical arguments, that we too can both change and adapt, and perhaps ultimately survive a changing climate."—Los Angeles Times

"Oakes brings the gift of personal perspective, memoir, and hope in the face of loss to her story of studying yellow-cedar tree decline off the coast of Alaska."—American Scientist

"Part memoir, part adventure yarn...An exploration of the shear zone between the frontier and civilization, wilderness and society: despite our yearning for the former, we've disrupted and abused it."—Outside

"Magnificent...Engaging and galvanizing, In Search of the Canary Tree is about more than a rare tree -- it's about nature's (and humanity's) capacity for resilience in a changing world."—Shelf Awareness (starred review)

"A moving behind-the-scenes glimpse into the development of a young scientist as she searches for meaning and resilience in the face of great personal and global challenges."—Forbes

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