The World Beneath Our Feet

This is a thrilling and delightful book. It opens a treasure chest of fascinating insights into our most neglected ecosystem. * George Monbiot *
‘Vital, brilliant, wholly absorbing - this rich weave of soil science and stories that connect us with the tiny creatures we rarely see is as diverse and finely tuned as the life of the soil itself. A masterpiece of science writing and a subject that is the most important of all to our own survival.’ - Isabella Tree * Isabella Tree *
Exhilarating, revelatory and written with a delight that is as infectious as it is irresistible, The World Beneath Our Feet is a joy. * James Bradley, author of Deep Water *
This book has massive, understated charm. I used merely to like earthworms. Now I truly admire them. Ashwood has made soil science enchanting. * Noreen Masud, author of A FLAT PLACE *
If there’s one thing we’re going to need in the future, it’s healthy soil. Terrestrial life depends on it. We find ourselves at a critical juncture in our history and what we do now will determine our survival. I sincerely hope we heed the message of this significant book. Quite simply magnificent. * George McGavin, Oxford University Museum of Natural History *
“A glimpse into an astonishing world that is often as out of mind as it is out of sight… His engaging writing style and expert insights take readers on a journey down into these dark, complicated habitats, through this surprising, spellbinding story of soil.” - Jack Ashby, author of Nature’s Memory: Behind the Scenes at the World’s Natural History Museums
This book is full of warmth and wonder for the lives of the many species living beneath our feet, delivering the science in a clear and accessible fashion. A lively, thought-provoking celebration of nature and a powerful argument for conserving it. * Erica McAlister, author of The Secret Life of Flies *
In this illuminating exploration, ecologist and debut author Ashwood escorts readers beneath the surface of the natural world to reveal the astonishing complexity and importance of soil ecosystems…He combines accessible science writing with a palpable sense of wonder, enlivening discussions of nutrient cycling, carbon storage, and biodiversity with memorable examples…This transforms an often-overlooked ecosystem into a source of awe and urgent concern. * Publishers Weekly *
Beneath our feet lies a hidden world where the timeless dramas of life unfold predators hunt, prey flee, rivals compete, and organisms thrive through cooperation. In The World Beneath Our Feet, Frank Ashwood masterfully unveils this often-overlooked realm, showing how the physical, chemical, and biological complexity of soil sustains both these miniature worlds and the plant life upon which all terrestrial ecosystems depend. * Susanne Foitzik, author of EMPIRE OF ANTS *
Soil could not have a better ambassador than Frank Ashwood. His infectious delight and love for the tiny denizens of the earth shines through, making earthworms glisten, beetles shine, and springtails leap off the page. This book will make you place your feet with care, mindful for the first time of the beautiful world beneath. * Bethany Brookshire, author of Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains *
A fascinating journey into the hidden life of soil and its vital importance for people and the planet. Engaging and full of surprises, it will transform the way you see the ground beneath your feet. A must read for anyone interested in the natural world. * Prof Richard Bardgett CBE *

Dr Frank Ashwood is a soil ecologist and macrophotographer specializing in soil invertebrates. He is a Lecturer of Ecology and Entomology at Lincoln University in New Zealand.

Dr. Ashwood received his PhD from the University of Lancashire in 2016. He previously worked as a scientist for Forest Research, part of the British Government’s Forestry Commission.

He is an Associate Editor of the New Zealand Journal of Zoology and a member of the Royal Society of Biology. Dr. Ashwood has appeared on the BBC Earth Podcast, BBC Breakfast, and ABC Landline. His soil animal photography has been featured in The Guardian and The New York Times, and has been exhibited internationally.

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