“Uplifting and edifying. . . . Remarkable and compelling. . . . Nadkarni has given us much more than a book that explicates tree ecology; indeed, her book is a kind of encyclopedic examination of nearly EVERYTHING that has to do with trees, especially with the way they protect us, heal us, give us hope, inspire us to be creative, and lend spirituality to otherwise blighted lives.”
“Nadkarni introduces readers to trees in a stunning variety of ways, including from a perch high in the canopy. . . . With an imagination matching her physical dexterity, Nadkarni has brought new views into the tree tops by hosting creative writers, an opera singer and a rapper, musicians, a blind person, modern dancers, and Inuit people who have no trees in their homeland.”
“Nadkarni is a wonder. . . . [The book] covers an astonishing array of links between trees and humans. . . . Nadkarni is one of those people who can generate interest in any subject from the rolling momentum of her own enthusiasm, so every page enthralls.”
“[Nadkarni’s] perception of [trees’] value to humankind is thoughtful and wide-ranging.”
“Few can claim as intimate a connection to trees as Nalini Nadkarni. . . . Rich, multifaceted, [and] personal. . . [the book] is a treasure trove.”
“This is a significant book and one that should be read widely by those who care about environmental justice; its best parts are the tree-related poetry and Nadkarni’s personal stories of her experiences with trees.”
"A lovely work of writing and a rich scientific exploration of trees, suffused with poetry and humanity. Between Earth and Sky takes us on a journey through the wonders of the forest canopy and the web of spiritual and literal connections we have with trees. Nalini Nadkarni is a unique figure in forest ecology—as a pioneering tree climber and explorer, and a topnotch scientist, she's a hero in a world where heroes don't come around often."—Richard Preston, author of The Wild Trees and The Hot Zone
“Besides cutting them, climbing them, and planting them, the urge to anthropomorphize trees, make them into metaphors, and worship them, is practically universal. Many people feel an intimate connection to trees. Nadkarni's scientific, personal, and literary book shows why, on so many levels, this should be so. Although the ancient Chinese thought of humans as the connection between earth and sky, my vote would go to trees.”—Liza Dalby, author of East Wind Melts the Ice
“From mosses to giant figs, from nail polish to turpentine, from poetry to rap music, world-acclaimed arbornaut Nadkarni weaves science and story together as she shares her passion for trees, reminding us that forests and humans are inextricably linked.” –Margaret D. Lowman, author of Life in the Treetops and It's a Jungle Up There
“I came in from an afternoon of splitting firewood to find this book waiting for me in the mail. It's as wonderful a compendium as one could imagine of all things that make trees such special companions, rooted and steady and patient and full of glory.”—Bill McKibben, author of The Bill McKibben Reader
“An epic and lyrical look at trees—an exploration that ranges from molecules and metabolism to ecology, poetry and dance—so breathtaking and eye-opening that it will be impossible to ever look at a tree or think about the world in the same way again.”—Thomas E. Lovejoy, President, The Heinz Center
