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  • Published: 30 July 2018
  • ISBN: 9780753545881
  • Imprint: WH Allen
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $24.99

The Man Who Climbs Trees




Wild adventures in the world's treetops by the man who gets David Attenborough up into the branches.


'A book of heart-stopping bravery and endurance' -- Helen Macdonald
'A great read – incredible adventures and a dramatic new perspective' -- Chris Packham
'[A] delightful, endlessly fascinating book' -- Daily Mail BOOK OF THE WEEK

This is the story of a professional British tree climber, cameraman and adventurer, who has made a career out of travelling the world, filming wildlife for the BBC and climbing trees with people like David Attenborough, Chris Packham and Helen Macdonald.

James's climbs take him to breathtaking locations as he scales the most incredible and majestic trees on the planet. On the way he meets native tribes, gets attacked by African bees, climbs alongside gorillas, chased by elephants, and spends his nights in a hammock pitched high in the branches with only the stars above him.

This book blends incredible stories of scrapes and bruises in the branches with a new way of looking at life high above the daily grind, up into the canopy of the forest.

  • Published: 30 July 2018
  • ISBN: 9780753545881
  • Imprint: WH Allen
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 304
  • RRP: $24.99

About the author

James Aldred

James is an Emmy winning documentary cameraman specialising in wildlife and filming at height. He has spent the last 20 years working regularly with the BBC and National Geographic to explore and help document the wonders of this tree-top world. He has worked on many acclaimed productions along the way - including numerous David Attenborough projects (such as Life of Mammals & Planet Earth etc) and has been BAFTA / RTS award nominated several times.

Praise for The Man Who Climbs Trees

A great read – incredible adventures and a dramatic new perspective from the arms of the world’s giants

Chris Packham

To leave the dank darkness of the jungle floor and travel up to the sunlight forest canopy is probably the natural world’s most exciting revelation. James Aldred’s wonderful book is as close as you will ever get to that experience, without risking the climb for yourself.

Alastair Fothergill, TV Producer for ‘The Blue Planet’, ‘Planet Earth’ and ‘Frozen Planet’

A heady blend of daredevil ascents with a reflective wonder at the beauty of these living climbing frames

Derek Niemann, nature writer and journalist

A book of heart-stopping bravery and endurance, packed with astonishing—and sometimes gruesome—encounters with wild creatures. James Aldred is an old-school hero, and his thrilling recollections of a life of adventure driven by a love for trees will give you new reverence for the beauties and mysteries of the natural world.

Helen Macdonald

A beautiful testament to the unique perspective offered by life high in the branches

Bruce Parry, award-winning documentary film-maker and author

[A] delightful, endlessly fascinating book

Brian Viner, Dail Mail BOOK OF THE WEEK

The giant trees, described by James Aldred, are full of wonder and his fascinating book is a story of real adventure

Peter Wohlleben, author of the international bestseller THE HIDDEN LIFE OF TREES

Passionate and courageous, in his masterpiece of a memoir, James Aldred reminds us that the sweet green world around us is as alive as any creature--and trees are wondrous individuals with deep truths to tell. This is a book filled with beauty, suspense and revelation. I loved it!

Sy Montgomery, author of THE SOUL OF AN OCTOPUS