A Year in the Maine Woods

This is the second book by Heinrich that I have read. The first, Ravens in Winter, I found very enjoyable. (see review)

Based on the title and a review written on the books back cover, I expected the book to be about Heinrichs year alone, except for his pet raven, Jack. With this in mind I thought wed learn about his discoveries in nature and also his understanding into his own thoughts as he pondered life in seclusion.

This was not a book about living in the wild woods of Maine in seclusion. Heinrich often went into town and ate, met with neighbors, had family visit, and at one point he had a number of students over for a couple of weeks. Was this bad...no, but not what I expected based on the review on his books back cover.

Heinrich has a gift in sharing information about nature. His curiosity and excitement for the natural world is contagious. In this respect I wasnt let down. He did go on quite a bit about the various things he noticed, sometimes sharing too much information, but I would just skip the paragraph and move on.

I think what appeals to me most are the times he is in seclusion and reflects on nature and his own life. He endures an amazing amount of cold...below zero, doesnt have running water, and the inside temperature in his cabin dips down below freezing on several occasions. I would enjoy many of the aspects of living in the location he speaks of but I would do it with a few extras...insulation in the walls, and electricity are two that come to mind!

Overall I did enjoy the book and I hope you do too!

Yes, Bernd is foremost a Zoologist, and so does get a bit technical at times, but his over-whelming love of nature--and the sense that hes just a good guy doing what many of us are afraid to do (i.e. kick in our TeeVees and "get back to nature")--is enough for my vote.

In addition to the natural science found in these pages, I very much enjoyed his mundane, day-to-day observations (every time he made coffee or drank a beer, I inwardly smiled). He mixes his love for the woods with a few 21st-century earthly pleasures, as well he should. Of course hes no Thoreau, and I dont think he is in anyway trying to be. Still, hes a damn-sight closer to Nature and the ideas and mind of H.D.T than most.

Truly a pleasurable read. Thanks, Bernd.