The Wisdom of Nature

by Dixe Wills

Author and travel writer Dixe Wills likes to champion the underdog. In this new book, he celebrates 70 living things from the world of nature that are unfairly maligned by humans and yet manage to beat the odds in some inspiring or uplifting way. From bacteria and bluebottles, to puddles and wasps, there's so much we can learn from the curious creatures and the natural world around us. Take the slug, for example: "Slugs, like us, yearn to be the object of a little human love and sympathy. Unlike slugs, you have a chance of this dream coming true. Also, beer will not kill you. Not immediately, anyway." Written in Dixe's inimitable style, this charming book is sure to delight his many fans and gain him new readers with an interest in the natural world.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

Published March 9, 2019

About the author

Assuming for a moment that we are what we do, I’m an author and freelance non-flying travel journalist. I’ve written a number of genre-bending books and one or two that give librarians fewer dilemmas. My most recent work is Tiny Stations (AA) which is a journey through the penumbric world of Britain’s railway request stops. Prior to Tiny Stations, I penned Tiny Islands (AA) and Tiny Campsites (Punk). Before the mania for all things tiny struck me, I managed to knock out a few non-size-specific books, including The Z-Z of Great Britain, Places to Hide in England, Scotland and Wales, New World Order (Wills Weltordnung in its Bloomsbury Berlin edition) and, under the name Johnson P Johnson, The Armchair Naturalist (all Icon).

I write for the UK newspaper The Guardian, mainly on green travel. You can read my articles here. You might also find me popping up in other newspapers (though not ones owned by Rupert Murdoch or edited by Paul Dacre, you’ll be pleased to learn) and magazines, some of which you’ll find listed here. I host a monthly spoken word night-cum-pub quiz mash up called Stranger than Fiction that you really ought to come along to because it’s great fun and only costs six quid. I also have a cracking Isle of Dogs-based romcom script unjustly gathering dust in a cupboard. Is there no start to my talents?

Reviews

[Sophy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very lighthearted and humorous read on various creatures, bacteria, fungi and other beings in nature.

This whiled away a few funny hours in the back garden whilst sweating away on a hot summers day! Perfect!

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although brief, this extremely funny collection was filled with insight and wisdom as well. Presenting nature’s “unmentionables” with compassion and positivity was much-needed in these pessimistic times. Interesting conversation starters, many of the organisms featured here deserve far more credit than humans give them and put us firmly in our place in nature’s universe. Highly recommended!

[Sophie Jessup · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm so I found this book a tad confusing, sometimes I couldn't tell wether some parts were real or part of the joke as I am definitely no expert in these things! Overall it is an interesting read but it's not something I'll go out of my way to read again. I think though it would be a wonderful gift for a strange creatures enthusiast.

[Nakarem]

It's fun, it's stupid, it's interesting.
No idea how to rate it, partly bc some comments didn't feel right but I enjoyed reading it

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Wisdom of Nature by Dixe Willis. It was filled with short, quirky passages about much maligned elements of nature. Published in the UK, it was filled with Brit humor. The illustrations by Katie Ponder were equally quirky and perfect for the text. Used as a shared read over a few months, definitely interesting and entertaining.

[Schmasi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eigentlich wollte ich es nur endlich mal hinter mich bringen weil ich dachte es wäre sehr viel mindfull geblubber. ABER das hat wirklich Spaß gemacht und ich hab tatsächlich viel laut gelacht und auch einiges gelernt.