We're not just losing the wild world. We're forgetting it. We're no longer noticing it. We've lost the habit of looking and seeing and listening and hearing.
But we can make hidden things visible, and Rewild Yourself features 23 spells that will bring the magic of nature much closer to home.
Mammals you never knew existed will enter your world. Birds hidden in treetops will shed their cloak of anonymity. With a single movement of your hand you can make reptiles appear before you. Butterflies you never saw before will bring joy to every sunny day. Creatures of the darkness will enter your consciousness. And as you take on new techniques and a little new equipment, you will discover new creatures and, with them, new areas of yourself that had gone dormant. Once put to use, they wake up and start working again. You become wilder in your mind and in your heart. Once you know the spells, the wild world begins to appear before you.
For anyone who wants to get closer to the nature all around them and bring it back into focus, this is the perfect read.
Simon Barnes was the Chief Sports Writer for The Times until 2014, having worked for the paper for 30 years, during which time he covered seven Olympic Games and six World Cup finals. He is the author of several books, including the bestselling How to be a Bad Birdwatcher. He lives in Norfolk.
– Waterstones non-fiction book of the month
– Bookseller book of the month
"Such a good idea"
– Chris Packham
"Rewild Yourself turns the [nature writing] genre upside down. Barnes tackles the issue of our disconnection with the wild from a much more pragmatic angle. It is not the land that should be rewilded, but us. This book has a spiritual, crusading quality. He writes as an uncle would to his nieces or nephews, encouraging them to enjoy his love of the outdoors [...] There is something here for anyone who is captivated by nature and wants to get closer [...] Essentially Rewild Yourself is about learning to be part of nature. This is such a simple, clever book."
– Rosemary Goring, Herald
"Barnes urges us to pay closer attention to the natural world, sharing 23 tips and techniques to help us all, wherever we live, to broaden our horizons and enjoy the wonders of nature."
– Daily Express
"The perfect gift for both confirmed nature lovers, and those who want to discover the wild side [...]"
– Lancashire Post
"[...] Whilst it might not take that long to get through, this book is worth reading as a reminder of how easy it can be to re-train yourself to fully enjoy the natural world. The accompanying pen and ink illustrations by Cindy Lee Wright that start each chapter are beautifully done and worth looking out for too, and I have already made a note of specific ideas to test out myself!"
– Katharine Bowgen, BTO book reviews