Ghost Trees longlisted for the Wainwright Prize

Posted on June 5, 2019

Bob Gilbert’s Ghost Trees has been longlisted for the prestigious Wainwright Golden Beer Book Prize for UK nature and travel writing. A total of 13 books have made the longlist for the 2019 award.

In Ghost Trees, which was also longlisted for this year’s Rathbones Folio Prize, Bob Gilbert explores the hidden wildlife of the inner city. Drawing from history, the arts and legend, he chronicles the deep relationship between people and nature – and especially the trees that have shaped London over the centuries.

Ghost Trees tells the secrets and stories of the urban wildscape, of glorious nature resilient and resurgent on our very doorsteps.

“Lyrical and beautifully evocative … in a language as rich and lilting as the contours of the estuarine land … A delight.” BBC Countryfile magazine

“Warm, rich and fascinating… [Gilbert] is a generous guide, with a deep knowledge of plant life and a fine turn of phrase.” Jon Day, Guardian

“Full of deep truths and improbable marvels, this beautifully observed book is a joyous hymn to the urban wild and a clarion call for better – greener, wilder – cities.” Patrick Barkham

The Wainwright Prize seeks to reward the best writing on the general outdoors, nature and UK-based travel writing and is sponsored by Wainwright Golden Beer. It is awarded in association with The National Trust.

The shortlist for the prize will be announced on 2nd July, before the final unveiling of the award winner (and presentation of the cheque for £5,000) at a ceremony on August 15th in the National Trust Arena at a BBC Countryfile Live event in Castle Howard, in Yorkshire.