The Forests of California

The first book of a major new trilogy from artist-naturalist Obi Kaufmann.

“A call to action full of beautiful watercolor renderings of both landscape and data.”Los Angeles Times

From the author ofThe California Field Atlas(#1San Francisco ChronicleBest Seller) comes a major work that not only guides readers through the Golden States forested lands, but also presents a profoundly original vision of nature in the twenty-first century.The Forests of Californiafeatures an abundance of Obi Kaufmanns signature watercolor maps and trail paintings, weaving them into an expansive and accessible exploration of the biodiversity that defines California in the global imagination. Expanding on the style of theField Atlas, Kaufmann tells an epic story that spans millions of years, nearly one hundred species of trees, and an astonishing richness of ecosystems.The Forests of Californiais the first volume in a planned trilogy of field atlases, withThe Coasts of CaliforniaandThe Deserts of Californiato follow, and Kaufmann seeks to create nothing less than a new understanding of the more-than-human world. The lessons in this book extend well beyond Californias borders. If Peter WohllebensThe Hidden Life of Treesand Richard PowerssThe Overstoryopened readers eyes to the awesome power of arboreal life,The Forests of Californiagives readers a unique and unprecedented immersion in that power.