This is not one of Berger's best: in fact it's not far short of the worst thing he's ever written. Almost entirely without humour, this is a dull dog of a book. Only the seriously committed need bother: others perhaps should look to his '60s masterpiece 'A Fortunate Man' or the later 'Into Their Labours' trilogy. But please steer clear of this one.

In the Kirkus Review, the reviewer takes an intellectual approach to this novel, pondering the universal questions the author raises. While I don't disagree with anything s/he writes here (though I wish the reviewer had not spoiled the ending by revealing it in the review!), such a serious appraisal suggests the ponderousness of a Heart of Darkness. This is a very funny book! The inner thoughts of the ever-so-proper, and presumably celibate, Corker as he approaches old age, and the decidedly uncelibate thoughts of 17-year-old Alec reflect every possible intergenerational contrast and conflict for the reader, who cannot help but smile and sympathize while regarding both of them as naïve!

The book is not just a lark, however. One also feels the poignancy in the life of a man whose one wish is "I do not want to die as I am, when I die I want to be different, I want to be less ignorant of the consequences of not being good."

As Corker makes his break from his domineering sister into his own life, seen most dramatically in his somewhat tipsy travelogue of Vienna, the reader apprehends what Corker actually says, what he knows, and what he would like to say to and about the other characters in the audience, all of whom have affected his life. We can observe him taking chances for the first time and experiencing "the general triumph of having spoken out and been listened to." Simultaneously, however, we are privy to the ironic events that are taking place outside the lecture hall, events over which Corker has no control and which we know will prevent him from ever returning to his previous "life." The epilogue which shows us Corker two years later, reveals Berger's consummate irony: Corker is still speaking out and still living free, though not in the way that either he or we would have predicted.

Berger's theories in this book are very complex but he supports his ideas well. The novel is structured in a very opinionated way. I feel that if he had been less critical about other artists then the book would have been more engaging. Berger is over-confident in his abilities of perception. He tries to engage the reader to deep in his thoughts. It makes it more confusing. Another strange book to read of his is Ways of Seeing. It has a good meaning however I don't like the unpleasent images. John Berger is a very "weird" & unique author.

Well, the book's fairly interesting when it talks about the history of Russian Academic art, and also when it explores the work of Neizvestny. But the third section degenerates into a Marxist scrred against "imperialism". The book was written in the late 60's, so I suppose I can understand the author's optimism (naivite?) about the prospects of Communism, but all the same, I finished the book feeling that Neizvestny had been used by the author to further his own viewpoint. The description of the book, read in retrospect, is more interesting than the contents.

I like this book even less than the other reviewer, but for the opposite reason. It would better be called "Destroying Forests," or "Understanding Forestry." The book purports to be enviromental in its orientation, and was put out by Sierra Club, but anybody who has been a forest activist at all (and I'm a longtime frontline environmental activist) would recognize that many places in this book--e.g., his treatment of so-called salvage logging--he has bought into the industry lies hook line and sinker. A very bad book on a very important topic.

John Berger is confused. He speaks of evolution and then uses Biblical quotes to support his theories. It can't be both ways!

Berger 'personifies' trees and forests often throughout his book and he says they have a 'right to exist' in the preface.

Berger's knowledge and understanding of eastern hardwood forests and harvesting techniques is obviously lacking.

That being said, Understanding Forests would be a great read for all first-year forestry students in North American colleges and universities. It would point out many of the challenging questions and issues that forestry professionals will be faced with. The book should be re-read in the final semester of the degree program by these same students so that the students can evaluate the theories and ramifications of Berger's philosophies.