A Plant's-Eye View of the World - The Botany of Desire

The information contained in the "apple" section is alone worth the price of this book. The section is as much a history of westward expansion, homesteading, and early American life as it is about why the apple has flourished in our country. The author develops a wonderful new perspective on the human relationship with the plants of this book. I enjoyed reading it.

Michael Pollan's writing style is unusual, but engaging in a chatty, "round the table" type way. The content is broad and diverse. Pollan is comfortable going lateral, deviating readily to highlight some unusual aspects of the material being explored, and just as readily leading the reader on, to consider other interesting dynamics and perspectives.

I would encourage anyone interested in the Biology / Ecology type areas, and teachers in particular, to consider this book. I believe it definitely encourages one to consider fresh perspectives on (and a greater respect for) the interactions between mankind and our plant world.

(It is a book that I have already added to the "Must Read" list for my Gifted & Talented students at High School.)

It is not everyday you can learn and be entertained simultaneously but Mr Pollan has indeed pulled this off. I especially enjoyed linking the past and present of the four plants discussed in this book.

I could describe this book as science or history, but I think I'll go with poetry. It's the sort of thing you'd read when you feel like your life hasn't contained enough appreciation for the sublime. It's wicked interesting, but the stuff you learn along the way is more of a substrate on which Pollan creates an expressive work worth admiring for its own beauty. Can't recommend enough.

Yes, they once used a pistol to implant new genes in potato plants, but this books has even more fascinating information about potatoes, apples, tulips and marijuana. This is one of several Michael Pollan books I've read and also given as gifts. He's a great writer on important topics.

More information then I will ever understand or remember. If you're looking for a should I or shouldn't I answer this is not the book, however there is a lot of references so you can come to your own conclusions.

Interesting, informative and an enjoyable read. Pollan tells a great story about four common plants and their influence on people and people's influence on them and how we ended up in a mutually desirable relationship.

Pollan's book was pleasurable and engaging to read. It is a book that got me to think and expanded my perspective. It places our relationship with plants in specific contexts, with a unique hybrid of sociological and genetic prose. Recommended highly for those passionate about gardening, nature, or food.

Interesting, educational and most informative. Michael Pollan's book provides great information for making educated choices when shopping for produce and gardening but also when evaluating the pros and cons of agricultural practices currently used.

Michael Pollan describes the world from a point of view that I was totally unfamiliar with. It has made me think about all the ways that I interact with the grocery store and with other aspects of my experience of my environment.

I read this after reading "The Omnivore's Dilemina".
It's good. The tulip frenzy has been in the news lately and this has an interesting write up about that.

I also really enjoyed the write-up about apples! That's a bit of American History I didn't know about. I think it's a good read for someone interested in food.

fabulous book talking about the history of the apple, tulip, cannabis, and the potato. Every chapter was more interesting than the last. The potato chapter is now out of date, given what we know about the relative harmlessness of GMOs.

I recently finished Botany of Desire and Pollan's more recent Omnivore's Dilemma. Both books are full of great factual information about what we eat, the implications of doing such, and the forces of nature that bind us tightly with other plants and animals. I loved both of these books. It opened my eyes to so many things that were both enlightening and, at times, frightening. Even though the content of both books is full of factual information, Pollan communicates it in a fashion that makes for an enjoyable read. I suggest getting them both.