Latest 6 Reviews Here is what people are saying about the The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World
"Not Bad"
2009-10-26
- Reviewed By User: A300V65IV3HYOI
I didn't get drawn in like I did his other two books, but I learned a lot. That's what I can count on with Pollan.
"A good read for the non-scientist"
2009-10-23
- Reviewed By User: A1BRMNBQFJQ69
As a botanist myself, I applaud any book that leads others into the green world around us. As has been mentioned in other reviews, however, the accuracy of much of what he says - from a scientific point of view - is to be taken with a grain of salt. Horticulture and agriculture, for example, are intertwined in a way that is misleading.
His forthcoming PBS special of the same name should be interesting and enjoyable for all of those who love gardening, taking walks in the park, and stimulating to those who simply like educational programs in general.
From a botanist's standpoint though, his "argument" that some species use or manipulate people to ensure their own survival is nothing new - it's been argued and pointed out for over 100 years (at least) by biologists and ethnobotanists.
I'll enjoy watching it as well, and I encourage other interested in nature to read his book and watch the PBS special!
"Fantastic!!"
2009-09-09
- Reviewed By User: AUV9YLOPU682X
This is the Micahael Pollan book to read. It reads like a fairy tale, full of luscious information about ordinary things you will never see in the same light as before reading his book. The tulip part is fascinating and explains why tulips appear in so many fifteenth and sixteenth century paintings especially from Dutch and Flemish regions. I have lent the book out because it seems a shame to keep all this wonderful information to myself. If text books in school were this interesting no one would drop out. It's like a literary dessert, and anyone with a good imagination will love it.
"a desirable book"
2009-09-07
- Reviewed By User: AYO7JVQ86L8FW
for the sensuous gardner. A wonderful book; well written & well resaearched. Informally informative. beautiful.
"delightful"
2009-08-10
- Reviewed By User: A23ZCJ9U3ZN0FK
I had really no expectations from this book as gardening and plants are not my interests, but after reading the introduction I was curious to find out how the author is going to put the subjects together. It didn't take long for me to be absorbed in his magic of weaving his personal passion, history, and philosophy together with such ease. The entire time I was reading this book, I felt like I was there in person with these stories, and after I finished, I wanted to go out and get some beautiful tulips right away. (too bad, it is not tulip season now). The basis of this book is a new way of looking "coevolution" of plants and human beings as equal partners, instead of the conventional concept of "artificial selection". The realization at the end is the value of "biodiversity", "necissity of wildness" as opposed to "monoculture" caused by mass production. He selected four plans to represent different desires of human and he presents many interesting historical facts, (sheds some of the myths as well) and their relevancy to our current way of life. Because of his wonderful writing style, he comes alive as if he is sitting at the dinner table, casually chatting about his experiences and his knowledge. I appreciate his curiosity and his observations in nature/life which probably make his mind sharp and his life more interesting and this book motivated to do so as well. I think these plants will never seem the same again and that's a wonderful thing.
"Facinating hiistory of 4 plants that were and are huge in human history"
Divided into four sections the book explains how and why humans have redesigned certain plants for their enjoyment and the consequences of those choices. Enjoyed and learned a great deal.
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"Not Bad"
"Fantastic!!"
"delightful"