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The Common Uncommon: A Forest Journey
From the renowned author of A Year in the Maine Woods, the intimate, thoughtful reflections of a lifetime spent observing the natural world.
For forty years, Bernd Heinrich has been ensconced in the woods of the northern, or boreal, forest, a vast sea of spruce, fir, and larch in the mountains of western Maine. All life confronts vast and occasionally rapid environmental changes, as one day, and one season, is to the next a completely different environment. Heinrich’s narrative illuminates the complete experience of his seasonal life—with the ups and downs of not just the leaves and snow, but also the problems, solutions, and frustrations of unblinking immersion in nature. He observes the “common uncommon” of spiders, ants, chestnut trees, porcupines, owls, and mice as his story branches out into five Being, Becoming, Interbeing, Remembering, and Returning. The Common Uncommon is a narrative of small surprises in nature, some delightful and some—brought on by climate change—devastating, all seen through the sharp eye of a world–renowned naturalist.
For forty years, Bernd Heinrich has been ensconced in the woods of the northern, or boreal, forest, a vast sea of spruce, fir, and larch in the mountains of western Maine. All life confronts vast and occasionally rapid environmental changes, as one day, and one season, is to the next a completely different environment. Heinrich’s narrative illuminates the complete experience of his seasonal life—with the ups and downs of not just the leaves and snow, but also the problems, solutions, and frustrations of unblinking immersion in nature. He observes the “common uncommon” of spiders, ants, chestnut trees, porcupines, owls, and mice as his story branches out into five Being, Becoming, Interbeing, Remembering, and Returning. The Common Uncommon is a narrative of small surprises in nature, some delightful and some—brought on by climate change—devastating, all seen through the sharp eye of a world–renowned naturalist.
- GenresNatureNonfictionMemoir
224 pages, Hardcover
Published April 21, 2026
13 people are currently reading
2667 people want to read
About the author
Bernd Heinrich
64 books709 followersBernd Heinrich was born in Germany and moved to Wilton, Maine as a child. He studied at the University of Maine and UCLA and is Professor Emeritus of Biology at the University of Vermont.
He is the author of many books including Winter World, Ravens in Winter, Mind of the Raven, and Why We Run. Many of his books focus on the natural world just outside the cabin door.
Heinrich has won numerous awards for his writing and is a world class ultra-marathon runner.
He spends much of the year at a rustic cabin that he built himself in the woods near Weld, Maine.
He is the author of many books including Winter World, Ravens in Winter, Mind of the Raven, and Why We Run. Many of his books focus on the natural world just outside the cabin door.
Heinrich has won numerous awards for his writing and is a world class ultra-marathon runner.
He spends much of the year at a rustic cabin that he built himself in the woods near Weld, Maine.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book was provided pre-publication by NetGalley.
This (I hope) will not be the last work by Bernd Heinrich, but in it the 85 year old writer and scientist provides sort of a summing up of his life and career. He revisits some of his past research work as well as discussing new observations and investigations.
I think it works very well as a book and makes great sense from the perspective of an aging writer and scientist (and naturalist). I suspect that at his age he realized that it would be impractical to pick up a new and wide ranging idea to study. But that does not mean he has stopped thinking, learning or teaching. He has just limited his research to the world he lives in: his cabin in the Maine woods. That does not in any way limit the range of ideas or the wealth of knowledge in this book.
His focus is a little wider than some of his past works. Rather than focus on Ravens, or Honey Bees or trees, he looks at all of the elements of his environment and narrows in on specific ideas animals and plants based on what he sees that leads him to wonder why, or how.
I loved the writing and the combination of hard science with a humane viewpoint. I think that is will be a great addition to those who have read and enjoyed his previous books, but could also be a good introduction to new readers who can then jump into his other books that focus on a remarkably wide range of subjects.
Highly recommend.
This (I hope) will not be the last work by Bernd Heinrich, but in it the 85 year old writer and scientist provides sort of a summing up of his life and career. He revisits some of his past research work as well as discussing new observations and investigations.
I think it works very well as a book and makes great sense from the perspective of an aging writer and scientist (and naturalist). I suspect that at his age he realized that it would be impractical to pick up a new and wide ranging idea to study. But that does not mean he has stopped thinking, learning or teaching. He has just limited his research to the world he lives in: his cabin in the Maine woods. That does not in any way limit the range of ideas or the wealth of knowledge in this book.
His focus is a little wider than some of his past works. Rather than focus on Ravens, or Honey Bees or trees, he looks at all of the elements of his environment and narrows in on specific ideas animals and plants based on what he sees that leads him to wonder why, or how.
I loved the writing and the combination of hard science with a humane viewpoint. I think that is will be a great addition to those who have read and enjoyed his previous books, but could also be a good introduction to new readers who can then jump into his other books that focus on a remarkably wide range of subjects.
Highly recommend.
May 1, 2026
In The Common Uncommon, Bernd Heinrich documents forty years of living in a log cabin tucked away in the deep woods of Maine. He records his observations of species like beavers, spiders, and owls, while diving deep into the complex social behaviors of ravens and the ways climate change is currently damaging the ecosystem. From tiny organisms to the wood frog that survives by freezing solid, these observations explore how all life is connected through the cycles of nature.
The ex-zoology student in me had a nice time with this. I learned a few new things about animals and the environment, and some of the scientific deep-dives were interesting. I also really enjoyed reading about his experience with maple sugaring and the process of tapping the trees. However, I would have liked a little more focus on the memoir aspect of his life in the woods. But maybe he has another book dedicated to his personal life.
I think if you're interested in nature and the science of foliage and animals, you will enjoy this. However, if you're looking for a full memoir with lighter nature writing, this might not be for you.
Thank you W.W. Norton for the gifted copy!
The ex-zoology student in me had a nice time with this. I learned a few new things about animals and the environment, and some of the scientific deep-dives were interesting. I also really enjoyed reading about his experience with maple sugaring and the process of tapping the trees. However, I would have liked a little more focus on the memoir aspect of his life in the woods. But maybe he has another book dedicated to his personal life.
I think if you're interested in nature and the science of foliage and animals, you will enjoy this. However, if you're looking for a full memoir with lighter nature writing, this might not be for you.
Thank you W.W. Norton for the gifted copy!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Reading about the seasons of nature is one of my favorite ways to survive the winter and dream of the new year's gardens.
Heinrich is a top-notch observer and writer who checks all the boxes. His understanding of human entanglements with the rest of nature is deeply appreciated.
Heinrich is a top-notch observer and writer who checks all the boxes. His understanding of human entanglements with the rest of nature is deeply appreciated.
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January 18, 2026Review to come
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews