SCIENCES

The Man Who Climbs Trees

Houghton Harcourt. May 2018. 272p. ISBN 9781328473059. $26; ebk. ISBN 9781328473530. NAT HIST
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Wildlife cameraman and experienced tree climber Aldred presents a memoir detailing his lifelong devotion to the wonders of trees and the animals that live in the forest canopy. Aldred's expertise in rigging climbing ropes and capturing footage atop giant trees allows him access to a rich and hidden natural world. Describing his many intense adventures working on documentaries in rainforests and jungles around the world, Aldred provides a view of both the hardships and joys of capturing the beauty of rare flora and fauna while dangling from ropes at precarious heights. Buoyed by his deep appreciation for wild creatures and the natural landscape, Aldred faces charging elephants, swarms of biting insects, malaria, and the ever-present risk of falling. While some sections are engaging and dramatic, this memoir also includes long descriptions of various tree climbs, which can become repetitive.
VERDICT Aldred's life story will interest aspiring tree climbers, wildlife documentarians, natural history aficionados, or armchair adventurers interested in the challenges of filming nature programs such as Planet Earth.
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