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Description
The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and DaringHidden away in foggy, uncharted rain forest valleys in Northern California are the largest and tallest organisms the world has ever sustained the coast redwood trees, Sequoia sempervirens. Ninety six percent of the ancient redwood forests have been destroyed by logging, but the untouched fragments that remain are among the great wonders of nature. The biggest redwoods have trunks up to thirty feet wide and can rise more than thirty five stories above
Hidden away in foggy, uncharted rain forest valleys in Northern California are the largest and tallest organisms the world has ever sustained-the coast redwood trees, Sequoia sempervirens. Ninety-six percent of the ancient redwood forests have been destroyed by logging, but the untouched fragments that remain are among the great wonders of nature. The biggest redwoods have trunks up to thirty feet wide and can rise more than thirty-five stories above the ground, forming cathedral-like structures in the air. Until recently, redwoods were thought to be virtually impossible to ascend, and the canopy at the tops of these majestic trees was undiscovered. In The Wild Trees, Richard Preston unfolds the spellbinding story of Steve Sillett, Marie Antoine, and the tiny group of daring botanists and amateur naturalists that found a lost world above California, a world that is dangerous, hauntingly beautiful, and unexplored. The canopy voyagers are young--just college students when they start their quest--and they share a passion for these trees, persevering in spite of sometimes crushing personal obstacles and failings. They take big risks, they ignore common wisdom (such as the notion that there's nothing left to discover in North America), and they even make love in hammocks stretched between branches three hundred feet in the air. The deep redwood canopy is a vertical Eden filled with mosses, lichens, spotted salamanders, hanging gardens of ferns, and thickets of huckleberry bushes, all growing out of massive trunk systems that have fused and formed flying buttresses, sometimes carved into blackened chambers, hollowed out by fire, called "fire caves." Thick layers of soil sitting on limbs harbor animal and plant life that is unknown to science. Humans move through the deep canopy suspended on ropes, far out of sight of the ground, knowing that the price of a small mistake can be a plunge to one's death. Preston's account of this amazing world, by turns terrifying, moving, and fascinating, is an adventure story told in novelistic detail by a master of nonfiction narrative. The author shares his protagonists' passion for tall trees, and he mastered the techniques of tall-tree climbing to tell the story in The Wild Trees--the story of the fate of the world's most splendid forests and of the imperiled biosphere itself.Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Random House Trade
Published: 02/12/2008
ISBN: 9780812975598
Pages: 294
Weight: 0.50lbs
Size: 7.94h x 5.16w x 0.70d
Review Citations: Entertainment Weekly 02/19/2008 pg. 100
People Weekly 03/03/2008 pg. 45
New York Times Book Review 03/02/2008 pg. 28
Books & Culture 07/01/2008 pg. 14
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4.4 ★★★★★
Based on 10 reviews
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Good purchase
Size: 9.5, Color: Black
Value and quality was good
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Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Comfortable
Size: 7, Color: Black
Super comfy and stylish, I’ve never worn these styles of loafers however I’m glad I purchased these.
I’ve purchased another pair in a different color.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2026
★★★★★ 3
Meh
Size: 10, Color: Black
I had a real leather version of these shoes for many years. They are still totally wearable, however the soles have worn smooth from using them so much.
so naturally I buy a new pair. These are the same design. the stitching is close, the pattern in the leather is the same. But they are so much cheaper. There is no real leather. It's all synthetic. The sole is not the same quality of rubber. The stitching is not as good. They look fine, brand new, yet I am sure they will not last.
these are cheap. They also cost less, so I guess they are an average value, but I am very annoyed.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2025
★★★★★ 5
The "Lazy Professional" Look: Is Hands-Free Luxury Actually Real?
Size: 9.5, Color: Black Napa Leather
Living down here in Florida, my footwear needs are pretty specific. It’s hot, it’s humid, and I spent half my life rushing from the car into work or a meeting. I’ve reached that age where I value efficiency just as much as style—maybe more. I’ve been eyeing the Marc Joseph New York Hands-Free Slip-on Penny Loafers for a while, and after putting them through the wringer, here is the honest truth from someone who just wants to look sharp without the hassle.
The "Just Step-In" Reality
Look, the big selling point here is the "Hands-Free" tech. We’ve all seen the commercials for those athletic slip-ins, but finding that in a legitimate leather penny loafer is a different game. Does it work? Yes, surprisingly well. The heel counter is firm enough that it doesn’t collapse when you slide your foot in, but it doesn’t feel like a piece of plastic digging into your Achilles once you’re in. For those of us who are tired of bending over or hunting for a shoehorn every morning, this is a genuine quality-of-life upgrade.
The Florida Factor: Comfort and Style
The leather is actual calfskin (on most models), which is a must for the Florida heat. Synthetic shoes turn into a sauna within ten minutes, but these breathe reasonably well. The aesthetic is classic—it’s a "professor" shoe through and through. You can wear them with chinos and a blazer for work or throw them on with some nice jeans for a weekend lunch.
Inside, they’ve got a gel heel insert and a padded footbed. It’s not quite "walking on a cloud"—let’s not over-hype it—but it’s a massive step up from the hard, flat soles of traditional dress loafers. I’ve spent four hours on my feet lecturing, and my arches didn’t hate me by the end of the day.
The Sizing Gamble
Here’s where you need to be careful. The consensus from other guys (and my own experience) is that the sizing is a bit of a coin toss. They tend to run a little large and sometimes wide. If you have narrow feet, you might find the sides "gaping" or flaring out when you walk, which kills the sleek look. I’d recommend ordering a half-size down if you’re usually between sizes.
The Breakdown
The Pros:
True Hands-Free: You can actually put these on while holding a coffee and a briefcase. No hands needed.
Legit Materials: The calf leather feels premium and smells like the real deal.
Versatility: Perfectly bridges the gap between a "car shoe" and a formal loafer.
Comfort: The gel insert makes a noticeable difference for long-duration wear.
The Cons:
Sizing Inconsistency: They can run wide, leading to some "heel slip" if you don't get the perfect fit.
Break-in Period: The heel is stiff by design (to allow for the slip-on feature), so expect a day or two of minor stiffness.
Price Point: They aren't cheap, though often on sale.
Value for Money
Are they worth it? If you’re comparing them to high-end Italian brands that cost $500, these are an absolute steal. They look 90% as good for a fraction of the price. However, if you're used to $60 mall shoes, the jump to $150+ might feel steep until you realize you’re paying for the convenience of never having to touch your shoes to put them on. For a daily driver in a professional setting, the value is definitely there.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Step In Look Good
Size: 11.5, Color: Cognac Napa Leather
I am wearing these shoes as I write this review, and they look and feel great. I have a bit of a disability with drop foot on the right leg and bilateral neuropathy and have been wearing step in shoes for about 10 years. But the first company that introduced leather dress and casual shoes stopped making them and now only makes sport and casual shoes. So I have been searching for some that meet my need for shoes like this and this company has given me three pairs, so far. Easy to get into, comfortable to wear, and good looking. And they take polish very well, too. (Remember how to do that?). We may buy another pair or two in different styles as well.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2026