The Eight Master Lessons of Nature

A riveting manifesto for the millions of people who long to forge a more vital, meaningful connection to the natural world to live a better, more fulfilling life
 
Looking around at the world today—a world of skyscrapers, super highways, melting ice caps, and rampant deforestation—it is easy to feel that humanity has actively severed its ties with nature. It’s no wonder that we are starving to rediscover a connection with the natural world.

With new insights into the inner workings of nature's wonders, Gary Ferguson presents a fascinating exploration into how many of the most remarkable aspects of nature are hardwired into our very DNA. What emerges is a dazzling web of connections that holds powerful clues about how to better navigate our daily lives. 

Through cutting-edge data and research, drawing on science, psychology, history, and philosophy, The Eight Master Lessons of Nature will leave readers with a feeling of hope, excitement, and joy. It is a dazzling statement about the powers of physical, mental, and spiritual wellness that come from reclaiming our relationship with Mother Nature. Lessons about mystery, loss, the fine art of rising again, how animals make us smarter, and how the planet’s elders make us better at life are unforgettable and transformative.

Gary Ferguson has written for a variety of national publications, including Vanity Fair, Orion, The Chicago Tribune, and the Los Angeles Times, and is the author of twenty-five books on nature and science. In March 2017 Gary's lead essay for Orion magazine--titled "A Deeper Boom"--was selected by the American Society of Journalists and Authors as the Best Essay of 2016. For the past twenty years, he has given keynote lectures on the ecological and psychological values of nature around the country. He is also a member of the National Geographic Lecture Series, and for ten years--from 2006-2016--was on the faculty of the Rainier Writing Workshop MFA program at Pacific Lutheran University.