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sreviti's review against another edition
3.25
I liked the book but some parts of it dragged for me. Specifically the’Apple’ chapter where Pollan drones on about John Chapman and in the ‘Marijuana’ chapter where he discusses consciousness. Interesting topics but I felt it deviated from my initial interest in the book which was more about plants
emma_1359's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
jacquelynjoan's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.5
I was a little bored by this book. The overall thesis is interesting, but he explored it through the stories of apples, tulips, marijuana, & potatoes and each of them was not that interesting to me. Especially the deep dive into Johnny Appleseed. It wasn't completely uninteresting. I love it when Rebecca Solnit dives into various subjects and connects them together, but Pollan didn't do it for me this time. I do like him and have read others of his books.
sativadomhybrid's review against another edition
4.0
I am versed in humans deeper connection with nature thanks to Pollan. As we coevolve with our desirably lively partners, it is interesting to see what we let survive and what we leave to be of no use.
lostwing's review against another edition
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was botany, philosophy and history all in one. However, the main oversight of this book to me was in the chapter on cannabis, when the author discusses the U.S. government's war on drugs starting in the 90's, was the failure to mention that this was something that overwhelmingly affected Black and Brown communities. I understand this book was written in 2001, but from a 2020 lens, that was a glaring omission.
Otherwise, this book was a thought-provoking, poetic reflection on four plants that have close ties to humans. The image of the primordial apple forest in Kazakhstan where no two apple trees have the same kind of fruit, as well as the image of silk road travelers passing underneath its canopy of multicolored leaves, is an image that I think will stay with me forever.
Otherwise, this book was a thought-provoking, poetic reflection on four plants that have close ties to humans. The image of the primordial apple forest in Kazakhstan where no two apple trees have the same kind of fruit, as well as the image of silk road travelers passing underneath its canopy of multicolored leaves, is an image that I think will stay with me forever.