Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants - Indigenous Wisdom

This is a beautifully written book, blending the science of botany with the spirituality of Native Americans. While that assessment may sound academic, the reading is far from that. A one with nature theme ties the concepts together, much as sweetgrass is braided as a Native American symbol. One will want to read this book over and over again, highlighting deeply meaningful passages.

So excited to start this book! I have read Gathering Moss, and a couple articles by Kammerer and am positive this one is gonna be just as insightful and thought provoking as her other writings! The book was brand new, so no complaints there!

this book was beautiful. If weaves together The ideas of science and indigenous thinking. It reminds us of the beauty of giftgiving, reciprocity, and gratitude. i couldn't recommend this book more highly.

Beautifully written book, very inspiring and really touches my heart. Her connection to the Earth and plant allies is deeply touching and it makes me want to go out in my garden and start digging and co-creating with the plants. Highly recommend!

Robin writes very well from the heart about issues commonly left to the intellect. I am enthralled by her skill at interpretation of very complex biological, botanical, and environmental issues. I am equally glad that I'm reading it now, at this time on the planet. This is a must read for ethics students, scientists, and everyone who is trying to swim through a multitude of overlapping fears and issues of the day regarding our time and place on Earth.

A beautiful book; strong medicine and lessons in grave history. I read in small amounts so as not to waste a single word or nuance. The best book I have read in years and I'm certain I will be reading it again and again.

So important to see the connections between our modern world and the genius of the rest of our brothers and sisters on the planet. We really need to share more knowledge in multiple directions if we are going to get out of the ecological mess we are in. This book highlights the deep knowledge of our fellow humans in crystal clear ways. Thank you.

I could not put this book down. Beautifully written as Kimmerer takes us along her life's journey of returning to her roots. Every chapter teaches, shares and inspires. So much so I planted a sweet grass patch. Don't pass this gem up.

This is some of the most exquisite and soul-speaking writing I've run across in a long time. Bridging the divide between science and indigenous wisdom with incredible grace and facility, Kimmerer sees the world as it truly is -- damaged, fragile and yet potentially self-healing in ways that invoke both heart-ache and hope. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Being a nature lover interested in environmental issues and ecology, I found this book to be absolutely delicious. Her Native American wisdom and common sense brings a new light on things, plus her descriptions speak volumes. I love this book. It is one I'll read over and over again.

Being a nature lover interested in environmental issues and ecology, I found this book to be absolutely delicious. Her Native American wisdom and common sense brings a new light on things, plus her descriptions speak volumes. I love this book. It is one I'll read over and over again.

A beautifully written book that offers a perspective on nature from the indigenous peoples viewpoint. This book helps the reader appreciate the little things in life, it gets one to think differently about the beauty of plants and nature, and encourages one to understand that there are alternatives to the way our society operates. Robin Wall Kimmerer is a wonderful writer with a number of her lectures available on YouTube.

Beautifully written. Ms Kimmerer opens the door to a new and yet ancient way of seeing the interconnectedness of all life. She does this in a way that is simultaneously poetic, personal and scientific in it's understanding of the natural world. Highly recommend to anyone who has an interest in the wellbeing of the Earth and our existence on it.

Her writing is almost poetic! Kimmer writes vividly and its an entertaining as well as educational (without realizing) read! Please get this book if you want to grow in your appreciation for the natural world!

An incredible storyteller, I felt like I was with Robin throughout each journey. And not only have I gained incredible insight, I even feel smarter. And I’m inspired to continually cultivating my relationships with the three sisters, maple nation, and others, while I appreciate their ability to photosynthesize.

This beautifully written book is even more enjoyable listening to because the voice we hear is the voice of the author herself. It is very eye-opening and can result in a transformation of past thoughts as we become much more thoughtful about the world in which we live. Everyone who cares about the generations to come should listen to it!

This book should be required reading, especially for our youth. The messages of gratitude and reciprocity are so timely and poinient. Please read it and pass it on. There may yet be hope for our society.

Braiding Sweetgrass is a tender look at universal life. It is delicate, spiritual, historical, honest and pushes readers to remove all the trappings of the day so you can think beyond self to the benefits of all.

Ms. Kimmerer has done a wonderful job weaving the stories she's learned about plants from her grandmother during her childhood with the descriptions of biological systems she learned as a botanist working her way through academia. She delivers a warm narrative and makes me wish I lived on one of the fields adjoining the ones she wanders in hopes of a chance encounter.

Robin Kimmerer is a scientist who understands there are dimensions to reality science hasn't explored thoroughly yet and won't explore until voices like her's are heard and understood. Unfortunately, the debate in the US has come down to science vs. religion, often pitting evolution and the big bang against the Genesis creation story, and hammering the question 'which is right?' The resulting polarization presses religion to discount the value of the scientific method, creative reasoning, the value of evidence. On the other side, the scientific community discounts worldviews that include a spiritual element as superstition, mythology. Kimmerer uses the methods and precepts of modern science to explain purposeful behaviors among plants. She points the way for rigorous, creative, exploration of flora, using the scientific method, but without bleaching away what is most interesting in plant (and, ultimately, animal and human) behavior.
The perspective Kimmerer takes is a 5-star perspective and one everyone interested in science or religion should consider. Her narrative is a bit overwritten, in my view, and so I'm giving it 4 stars, even though I recommend it without hesitation or reservation.

We are reading this as a group. The stories have touched many lives and have opened the door to deep conversations on the importance of caring for our environment and making connections to animals, plants, human life.

a must read for anyone who wants something well written by a woman who is a triple threat. Kimmerer is a credentialed scientist and poet who, as an Amerindian, writes w/a love of mother earth that is better than any diatribe in defense of the environment.

One of the most beautifully written books we have had the pleasure of reading. Each chapter a perfect combination of scientific explanation and timeless cultural wisdom. We will certainly read this books several times and share it with the people closest to us.

This is a sit-and-enjoy, anticipate-spring kind of book. Factual information about Ojibwe culture and about the plants that sustain them (and us). Full of great science, but also poetic. Well-written. Helps to connect us to the earth once again.