From Jim Crumley, the “pre-eminent Scottish nature-writer” (Guardian), this landmark volume documents the extraordinary natural life of the Scottish Highlands and bears witness to the toll climate chaos is taking on its wildlife, habitats, and biodiversity—laying bare what is at stake for future generations. In this landmark volume, Jim Crumley brings together a sweeping five-year quest to document the seasons and how he has seen them change. It explores the damage to the Earth’s natural rhythms, but also relishes the enduring beauty and wonder of nature itself. Drawing on his studies of each season over more than thirty years and reworking the volumes in his best-selling Seasons quartet, Crumley has created this unique account of our natural world today. After a lifetime of immersing himself in the landscapes of Scotland and a handful of other northern countries, Crumley has amassed a body of knowledge and insight and a bank of memorable imagery. Combining lyrical prose and passionate eloquence, he lays bare the impact of an increasingly chaotic climate and urges us all towards a more daring conservation vision that embraces everything from the mountain treeline to a second spring for the wolf. Praise for Jim Crumley “Delightful … The lyrical prose elevates Crumley’s detailed descriptions of the natural world he encounters … Readers will be transported by this immersive outing.” Publishers Weekly “Scotland’s foremost living nature writer.” The Courier, Scotland “The pre-eminent Scottish nature writer.” Guardian “Jim Crumley … has been our predominant writer on the natural world … [He] is a naturalist with a great gift for observation … His work engages us in the best ways … We are drawn alongside him, to appreciate what he appreciates.” Kathleen Jamie, Scotland’s national poet “In what may come to be judged as his masterwork, veteran nature writer Jim Crumley opens our eyes to unknown beauties and to mysteries we may not even have considered.” Allan Massie, The Scotsman "This is a book from an author that can inspire those with a good knowledge of wildlife but also, I feel, draw in others to that subject through the beauty of the writing and the incisiveness of the observation. A great book, and obviously a book for all seasons." Mark Avery Jim Crumley has published more than forty books in the UK, but his work is only now coming to the attention of the wider world. He writes on the wildlife and wild landscape of his native Scotland, the impact of human activity on the natural world, species reintroduction, and climate change. His books have been nominated for prestigious awards including the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing and Scotland’s National Book Awards. Crumley is also a poet and a widely published journalist.