Sounds Wild and Broken

Sounds Wild and Broken explores the sounds of the living Earth and the joys and threats of human music, language, and noise. It is a symphony filled with the music of life, fascinating, heartbreaking, and beautifully written. It affirms Haskell as a laureate for the earth, and his finely tuned scientific observations are made more potent by his deep love for the wild he hopes to save.

Format: Hardback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 21 April 2022
Publisher: Faber & Faber

A captivating journey into the captivating world of Earth's sounds, exploring the harmonious melodies of nature and the complexities of human music, language, and noise. This symphony, woven with the melodies of life, is a fascinating, heart-wrenching, and beautifully written masterpiece.

Elizabeth Kolbert, the acclaimed author of "The Sixth Extinction," praises David George Haskell as a true laureate of the Earth, recognizing his profound scientific insights enhanced by his deep affection for the wild landscapes he ardently seeks to preserve.

The New York Times hails it as "wonderful," emphasizing how our limited auditory range and the ways in which human lives are structured often overshadow the planet's immense orchestral richness. The Guardian lauds it as a poignant reminder that the vastness of the natural world is often concealed from our perception due to the narrow confines of our auditory perception and the patterns of human existence.

David George Haskell delves into the origins of animal song and traces the entire trajectory of Earth's history, illuminating and celebrating the emergence of the diverse sounds that shape our world. From the ancient mammoth ivory flutes discovered in Paleolithic caves to the modern violins performed in grand concert halls and the electronic music enjoyed through earbuds, we witness the profound interconnectedness of human music and language within the tapestry of ecology and evolution.

However, this symphony also carries a melancholic note, as we become aware of our role as destroyers, silencing the harmonious melodies of nature. The book serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between human existence and the preservation of the natural world, urging us to embrace a harmonious coexistence with the Earth's vibrant tapestry of sounds.

Weight: 676g
Dimension: 234 x 153 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571361977
Edition number: Main