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Cycle
“An inspiring call to action.� —Kirkus Reviews
Literary Classics Gold Medal Winner, Environmental Issues
Readers� Favorite Bronze Medal Winner, Fiction Inspirational
Living Now Evergreen Bronze Medal Winner, Nature Conservation
100% of author royalties will be donated to The Nature Conservancy.
Redwoods thrive for centuries in the coastal regions of America’s Pacific Northwest. A monarch butterfly journeys from Northern meadows to the mountains of Central Mexico. The mother of four wolf pups leads her family through the Arctic’s stark terrain and bitter storms. One of the greatest seagoing mammals roams the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of Alaska to the Galapagos. These voices speak to us of the meaning we seek in our lives.
Literary Classics Gold Medal Winner, Environmental Issues
Readers� Favorite Bronze Medal Winner, Fiction Inspirational
Living Now Evergreen Bronze Medal Winner, Nature Conservation
100% of author royalties will be donated to The Nature Conservancy.
Redwoods thrive for centuries in the coastal regions of America’s Pacific Northwest. A monarch butterfly journeys from Northern meadows to the mountains of Central Mexico. The mother of four wolf pups leads her family through the Arctic’s stark terrain and bitter storms. One of the greatest seagoing mammals roams the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of Alaska to the Galapagos. These voices speak to us of the meaning we seek in our lives.
- GenresNature
184 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2012
7 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Jay Amberg
19books47followersJay Amberg is the author of twelve books. He received a BA from Georgetown University and a PhD from Northwestern University. He has taught high school and college students since 1972.
His latest book, The Healer’s Daughters, is now available from Amika Press. Amberg has also published Bone Box, Cycle, America’s Fool, Whale Song, and compiled 52 Poems for Men.
Prior to Amika Press, Amberg published thriller novels Doubloon (Forge), Blackbird Singing (Forge) and Deep Gold (Warner Books).
Among his books on teaching are School Smarts and The Study Skills Handbook, published by Good Year. Amberg wrote The Creative Writing Handbook (Good Year) with Mark Henry Larson and Verbal Review and Workbook for the SAT (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich) with Robert S Boone.
His latest book, The Healer’s Daughters, is now available from Amika Press. Amberg has also published Bone Box, Cycle, America’s Fool, Whale Song, and compiled 52 Poems for Men.
Prior to Amika Press, Amberg published thriller novels Doubloon (Forge), Blackbird Singing (Forge) and Deep Gold (Warner Books).
Among his books on teaching are School Smarts and The Study Skills Handbook, published by Good Year. Amberg wrote The Creative Writing Handbook (Good Year) with Mark Henry Larson and Verbal Review and Workbook for the SAT (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich) with Robert S Boone.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 17, 2012
This book was reviewed by Lee Ashford for Reader's Favorites.
“The Cycle� by Jay Amberg is a very different, but very interesting, type of book. I’m not sure how to classify it, but I am sure that I think it should be required reading for a lot of people, from students to corporate CEO’s.
The “Cycle� Jay is writing about is, in its simplest form, the life cycle. But it is also much more than that, expanding its frame of reference to include the planetary cycle of existence. It is a book told in four parts, from the perspective of a Redwood tree, a Monarch butterfly, a Wolf pack and a Sperm whale. Each of these diverse perspectives begins at birth, of either the narrating organism, or its offspring. As they narrate their “typical� lives, they also relate evolutionarily recent intrusions into their lives, which have had, or are having, a negative impact on their respective existences.
The Redwood tree discusses the “recent� sound of chainsaws drawing nearer to it each year, although it does not know they are chainsaws. It DOES know post-storm runoff has become more violent and dirty each year, to the point of undercutting some of its kin.
The Monarch begins as an egg, and narrates it entire life cycle up to the point at which it migrates to its wintering grounds in a Mexican forest, only to find the forest is no longer there.
The Wolf matriarch’s tale is by far the longest, beginning with her having just given birth to another litter. She relates all the hardships they encounter, including the death of a high percentage of the pups she has birthed during her reproductive life span. Intrusions by a “giant black bird� (actually a helicopter) impact the clan by discharging scientists who study them.
Finally, the Sperm whale concludes the story by expressing how human interaction over the past several hundred years has had escalating impacts on not just Sperm whales, but on the ocean itself, and even the planet as a whole.
This book is not fiction, beyond the talking trees and animals. Regardless, the message of the book is an important one of which we humans all need to become aware.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who intends to spend their life on planet Earth.
“The Cycle� by Jay Amberg is a very different, but very interesting, type of book. I’m not sure how to classify it, but I am sure that I think it should be required reading for a lot of people, from students to corporate CEO’s.
The “Cycle� Jay is writing about is, in its simplest form, the life cycle. But it is also much more than that, expanding its frame of reference to include the planetary cycle of existence. It is a book told in four parts, from the perspective of a Redwood tree, a Monarch butterfly, a Wolf pack and a Sperm whale. Each of these diverse perspectives begins at birth, of either the narrating organism, or its offspring. As they narrate their “typical� lives, they also relate evolutionarily recent intrusions into their lives, which have had, or are having, a negative impact on their respective existences.
The Redwood tree discusses the “recent� sound of chainsaws drawing nearer to it each year, although it does not know they are chainsaws. It DOES know post-storm runoff has become more violent and dirty each year, to the point of undercutting some of its kin.
The Monarch begins as an egg, and narrates it entire life cycle up to the point at which it migrates to its wintering grounds in a Mexican forest, only to find the forest is no longer there.
The Wolf matriarch’s tale is by far the longest, beginning with her having just given birth to another litter. She relates all the hardships they encounter, including the death of a high percentage of the pups she has birthed during her reproductive life span. Intrusions by a “giant black bird� (actually a helicopter) impact the clan by discharging scientists who study them.
Finally, the Sperm whale concludes the story by expressing how human interaction over the past several hundred years has had escalating impacts on not just Sperm whales, but on the ocean itself, and even the planet as a whole.
This book is not fiction, beyond the talking trees and animals. Regardless, the message of the book is an important one of which we humans all need to become aware.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who intends to spend their life on planet Earth.
January 23, 2013
This book came through and caught my interest purely because it was different than anything else I had ever read.
I wanted to go a bit out of my comfort zone and see how it went.
I am so glad I took a chance.
Cycle is divided into four parts. Written in the point of view of a Tree, Wolf, Butterfly and a Whale.
Each section was beautifly written. Sparing no details, our eyes are opened to the lives of the species as they seek meaning and survival.
I adored the Tree portion of the book the most. I found myself marking down page numbers. Quotes I wanted to remember. I honestly never gave trees much thought before, they really are more interesting than we give them credit for.
This section really made the book for me. It was beautiful
I've decided should there be another lifetime I want to come back as a redwood tree.
The most difficult to read, being the whale section. We're exposed to the effects of humans on the whale species. As a whale lover part of me can't help but get emotional thinking about the damage that's been done in their natural habitat. All for the mighty dollar by corporations who are too driven by greed to see the world around them and the beauty it holds.
Cycle is a book I thoroughly enjoyed. I found myself learning things about each subject. It was a smooth read that kept me engaged and wishing the book covered more than just four sections.
I highly recommend to anyone looking for a read that puts them in touch with the world around them. As well as anyone looking for a book that will pleasantly surprise them and take them out of their genre comfort zone.
So glad I read this book, definitely one I will be revisiting often. A beautiful well written book.
I wanted to go a bit out of my comfort zone and see how it went.
I am so glad I took a chance.
Cycle is divided into four parts. Written in the point of view of a Tree, Wolf, Butterfly and a Whale.
Each section was beautifly written. Sparing no details, our eyes are opened to the lives of the species as they seek meaning and survival.
I adored the Tree portion of the book the most. I found myself marking down page numbers. Quotes I wanted to remember. I honestly never gave trees much thought before, they really are more interesting than we give them credit for.
This section really made the book for me. It was beautiful
I've decided should there be another lifetime I want to come back as a redwood tree.
The most difficult to read, being the whale section. We're exposed to the effects of humans on the whale species. As a whale lover part of me can't help but get emotional thinking about the damage that's been done in their natural habitat. All for the mighty dollar by corporations who are too driven by greed to see the world around them and the beauty it holds.
Cycle is a book I thoroughly enjoyed. I found myself learning things about each subject. It was a smooth read that kept me engaged and wishing the book covered more than just four sections.
I highly recommend to anyone looking for a read that puts them in touch with the world around them. As well as anyone looking for a book that will pleasantly surprise them and take them out of their genre comfort zone.
So glad I read this book, definitely one I will be revisiting often. A beautiful well written book.
September 15, 2015
KIRKUS REVIEWS
Four introspective, first-person memoirs from flora and fauna of the Earth as part of an ecologically minded call toward understanding the fragile web of life.
Amberg gives voices to a group of redwood trees on the Pacific Coast, a monarch butterfly migrating to Mexico, a female wolf navigating her family through an Arctic winter and a sperm whale evaluating his life as he floats through the ocean. Scientifically accurate details make it clear that the author has done his research on each species� ethology and habitat…the stories� beauty and harshness inspire readers into action…the nonhuman psychologies have an easy, natural flow and grace to them, and they often achieve a strong emotional impact�
An inspiring call to action�
Four introspective, first-person memoirs from flora and fauna of the Earth as part of an ecologically minded call toward understanding the fragile web of life.
Amberg gives voices to a group of redwood trees on the Pacific Coast, a monarch butterfly migrating to Mexico, a female wolf navigating her family through an Arctic winter and a sperm whale evaluating his life as he floats through the ocean. Scientifically accurate details make it clear that the author has done his research on each species� ethology and habitat…the stories� beauty and harshness inspire readers into action…the nonhuman psychologies have an easy, natural flow and grace to them, and they often achieve a strong emotional impact�
An inspiring call to action�
September 19, 2014
Uniquely told from a first person perspective, Cycle is a compilation of four different stories. Narrated by a ring of Redwood trees, a Monarch butterfly, a mother wolf, and a whale, each respective story offers insight into the wonders of nature around us. Each life-form is confronted by threats of harm while realizing its purpose in the grand scheme on this earth.
Author Jay Amberg's use of eloquent prose, combined with interesting facts and thought-provoking insight, help make this compelling book one that will appeal to many, especially those with an affinity for nature.
Author Jay Amberg's use of eloquent prose, combined with interesting facts and thought-provoking insight, help make this compelling book one that will appeal to many, especially those with an affinity for nature.
May 3, 2020
Alicia C. Accardi, Closed the Cover: “Alpha was by far my favorite of the tales.� This story is so thoroughly understandable that I forgot it was written about an animal; Her struggles, desires, heart and emotions were easily recognized.� The author gets my heartiest applause for delivering a story of life, death, family, tradition, survival and parenting so splendidly. It is fluid, engrossing and kept me engaged to the point that I began to read more slowly—I didn’t want it to end.�
May 3, 2020
Marcus Hammond, Luxury Reading: “Each story paints a vivid picture of how complex and fragile a system the natural world is. Amberg cleverly mixes biology and fiction to provide an enjoyable, at times, heartbreaking, and thought-provoking view into the wheel of life that everything and everyone is surrounded by and has an impact on.�
July 15, 2020
A really endearing read that puts the world, and life, into perspective. It makes you think - a lot.
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
August 6, 2018*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I honestly have no idea why I accepted this book for review. Granted, at this point, I accepted it for review almost 6 years ago, and I've become a lot pickier about reading since then.
I finally picked it up today, got about 19 pages in (10 percent) and promptly gave it up. It's told in 1st person, and the first in the set of stories is about trees.
I do understand the seriousness and complexity the author is going for, but this just isn't a book that I'm able to get into well enough to finish it.
I honestly have no idea why I accepted this book for review. Granted, at this point, I accepted it for review almost 6 years ago, and I've become a lot pickier about reading since then.
I finally picked it up today, got about 19 pages in (10 percent) and promptly gave it up. It's told in 1st person, and the first in the set of stories is about trees.
I do understand the seriousness and complexity the author is going for, but this just isn't a book that I'm able to get into well enough to finish it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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