annieb123's review
5.0
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Sweet in Tooth and Claw is a layman accessible examination of cooperative behavior, often across species, in the natural world, written by Kristin Ohlson. Released 6th Sept 2022 by Patagonia, it's 384 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
As popular science writing goes, this is an appealing and engaging read. The author has a lot to say about the interconnections between creatures and their natural habitats and how they can, and often do, cooperate to survive. The chapters are not linear, and they work more or less as independent essays: from forests and deforestation, to regenerative agriculture and developing new plant varieties which will work *with* and not *against* local ecosystems as well as some profound opposing philosophies on land use and conservation which were completely new to me.
Although it's scientifically accurate and information dense, it's not annotated and the author has not included a bibliography or reading list(s). There is a cross referenced index, but it was not included in the early eARC provided for review, so it wasn't possible to error check the information there.
It's well and clearly photographed throughout.
Four and a half stars. I would recommend this one for fans of popular science, especially nature and conservation readers.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Sweet in Tooth and Claw is a layman accessible examination of cooperative behavior, often across species, in the natural world, written by Kristin Ohlson. Released 6th Sept 2022 by Patagonia, it's 384 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.
As popular science writing goes, this is an appealing and engaging read. The author has a lot to say about the interconnections between creatures and their natural habitats and how they can, and often do, cooperate to survive. The chapters are not linear, and they work more or less as independent essays: from forests and deforestation, to regenerative agriculture and developing new plant varieties which will work *with* and not *against* local ecosystems as well as some profound opposing philosophies on land use and conservation which were completely new to me.
Although it's scientifically accurate and information dense, it's not annotated and the author has not included a bibliography or reading list(s). There is a cross referenced index, but it was not included in the early eARC provided for review, so it wasn't possible to error check the information there.
It's well and clearly photographed throughout.
Four and a half stars. I would recommend this one for fans of popular science, especially nature and conservation readers.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
sincerelyelizakate's review
informative
slow-paced
4.0
A deeply hopeful book that provides an alternative viewpoint while still maintaining a realistic outlook. The photographs are incredible and the information provided stays with the reader, offering further reflection and openings for discussion with others.
It is easy for books like this to be phoned in, simply table-top books that are meant to be seen and not read. This one, however, is full of care and bears attention beyond the colorful images.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pantagonia for an ARC copy. All opinions are my own.
It is easy for books like this to be phoned in, simply table-top books that are meant to be seen and not read. This one, however, is full of care and bears attention beyond the colorful images.
Thank you to NetGalley and Pantagonia for an ARC copy. All opinions are my own.
tolstoytherapy's review
5.0
With a similar sense of wonder and beauty to Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Sweet in Tooth and Claw is a gorgeous book about the generosity and cooperation that exist around us.
If you've read books like The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, you might know about the secret cooperation of a forest, but who knew that salmon could also help a forest to thrive? This book is packed with such examples and stories that really do help you see the world differently.
Here, Kristin Ohlson rekindles hope in the natural goodness and connectedness of the world, but her book is also a powerful reminder of the damage that humankind has done to our home planet – chiefly, through ignorance of these dense webs of connection that we still can't wholly wrap our heads around.
This book isn't always easy-reading – it's dense and packed with information, which lends it more to slow short reading sessions rather than a day-long read. But I think that's how this book should be enjoyed: slowly and thoughtfully.
Reading this is a reminder that humans can – and should – be involved in this interconnectedness too, as just another co-creator and caretaker of a generous and thriving ecosystem that requires our full attention.
Thank you to Kristin Ohlson, Patagonia, and NetGalley for this ARC.
If you've read books like The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, you might know about the secret cooperation of a forest, but who knew that salmon could also help a forest to thrive? This book is packed with such examples and stories that really do help you see the world differently.
Here, Kristin Ohlson rekindles hope in the natural goodness and connectedness of the world, but her book is also a powerful reminder of the damage that humankind has done to our home planet – chiefly, through ignorance of these dense webs of connection that we still can't wholly wrap our heads around.
This book isn't always easy-reading – it's dense and packed with information, which lends it more to slow short reading sessions rather than a day-long read. But I think that's how this book should be enjoyed: slowly and thoughtfully.
Reading this is a reminder that humans can – and should – be involved in this interconnectedness too, as just another co-creator and caretaker of a generous and thriving ecosystem that requires our full attention.
Thank you to Kristin Ohlson, Patagonia, and NetGalley for this ARC.
rowan_reviews's review
3.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley & the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is interesting but definitely not casual reading. I've slowly been chugging away at it for several weeks but the information is a little dense (as in a lot packed in) & that makes it hard to read more than a chapter or two at once.
Not quite what I expected in terms of how it's written. It's not poorly written by any means, it just isn't quite for me.
This is interesting but definitely not casual reading. I've slowly been chugging away at it for several weeks but the information is a little dense (as in a lot packed in) & that makes it hard to read more than a chapter or two at once.
Not quite what I expected in terms of how it's written. It's not poorly written by any means, it just isn't quite for me.
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