Brian Isett The Forgotten Teachers

A radiant fusion of evolutionary science, poetic storytelling, and watercolor art, this book offers a profound reminder of our place in the natural world. Perfect for fans of Rachel Carson and Robin Wall Kimmerer, it makes an unforgettable gift for curious minds, nature lovers, and readers of all ages. Interweaving science and storytelling, spirituality and art, a neuroscientist and an artist guide us toward a deeper understanding of how radically interconnected all of life is. The Forgotten Teachers charts the evolution of life on Earth under the mentorship of six teachers: Ocean, Air, Theia (through collision with this planet, Earth was set on its tilt), Sun, Plants, and Symbionts. Ideas from the field of evolutionary biology, accompanied by watercolor illustrations, guide this factual yet mytho-poetic exploration of life. Motivated by their shared concern over the severance of science from the sacred and humans from their place within nature, Isett and Biçen set out to write a scientific wonder story for our times—to enchant readers with the strangeness and beauty of evolutionary biology, while reintegrating us into the natural world. As Rachel Carson did in her time and as Wendell Berry has done as a poet and essayist across the years, Isett writes with precision and urgency to remind us that we participate in a story that is far larger than ourselves, and that to see ourselves more truly would be to see the many ways in which we belong to the molecules and mysteries of the living world. A Kirkus Reviews Fall Preview selection * Selected for The New Yorker Holiday Gift Guide ★ “A luminous and lyrical blend of science, spirituality, and environmental advocacy... Ideal for classroom libraries, environmental studies, or anyone seeking to fall in love with the living world. Highly recommended.” — School Library Journal (starred review)