The Story Of Yew (Memoirs of a Tree)

The author with his wife at the book launch at the Chelsea Physics Garden, in London.

The Story of Yew is just that–the story of a yew tree. A two-thousand-year-old specimen relates its memoirs for the benefit of the human race. The narrative is in the first person simply because the storyteller is the yew itself.

Only by lending an unbiased ear can one appreciate the words spoken by the yew tree. It follows that the kind listeners should put aside their assumptions on the superiority of the human race.

How I chanced upon this age-old testimony and then transcribed it, is inessential.

Legend has it that before the construction of the heaven-reaching tower of Babel there was but one language. The yew has overcome the communication barrier between humans and trees by employing a shared language. We live on common ground.

—Guido Mina di Sospiro

          

Photo by Stenie © 2001, all rights reserved.

Mike Scott, legendary founder and leader of The Waterboys, holding The Story of Yew.

Much of his music and poetry has been an inspiration to the author. In his dedication he penned:

“To Mike,  who has written, sung,  and played the soundtrack of my life.”

From left to right: the author, Mike Scott, Stenie Mina di Sospiro, Steve Wickham.

Interviews and Reviews

The Sunday Business Post

The Miami Herald

The Irish Times

The Naturalist

The Ecologist

The Sunday Tribune

The Irish Examiner

Resurgence Magazine

HELLO! Magazine

The Pat Kenny Radio Show

The Miami Herald Neighbors

Plant Talk Magazine

Eartheasy

Kindred Spirit Magazine

Folklore & Legends

Releafing Ireland

Bookview Ireland

The Pinecrest Tribune

The Forest Network Newsletter

The Irish Garden

 

WHERE TO BUY THE STORY OF YEW:

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