Scan barcode
Reviews tagging 'Genocide'
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
65 reviews
art_books_chemistry's review against another edition
4.5
Listening to Kimmerer narrating was very relaxing and nearly meditative. I listened to a lot of this while walking back and forth through Cleveland from my hotel to the convention center while attending a conference. That being said, I could not listen to this while multitasking before bed, as for the same reason it would cause me to drift off to sleep. I also found some of her stories to be a bit repetitive in their lessons. I suppose it could have been to drive home her points but it also caused me to drift out occasionally since I knew where she was going with a story.
I really enjoyed hearing her talk about Indigenous teachings and how she tries to implement them in her academic classrooms as well as her life. Some of the points definitely made me think about some things I could maybe try or do myself. There were also several sad parts relating to her learning her own language as an adult and the attitudes of some of the people in academia.
If you're looking to understand some Indigenous peoples better or just to understand a different view regarding caring for the Earth this is definitely a good book. If you aren't interested in the subject matter it may feel a bit dry and repetitive at points.
Graphic: Racism and Colonisation
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Genocide and Animal death
maregred's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Colonisation
Minor: Genocide, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Cultural appropriation
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Colonisation and Racism
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death, War, Grief, Religious bigotry, Animal death, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Sexism, Suicide, Vomit, Alcohol, Car accident, Cannibalism, Excrement, Abandonment, Child death, Animal cruelty, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Climate change, habitat destruction, pollution.susannaobrien's review against another edition
4.0
She writes poetically, which was often a joy, but sometimes felt like a slog. I really did find it too long, and sadly caught myself rushing through to finish the audiobook before my loan expire (Perhaps one to have a copy of and dip into). It definitely could have been edited as some chapters felt repetitive or dull. Or split into two, as I did appreciate the richness of the topics covered.
Overall, it exposed my to new ways of thinking and I know I'll be trying to take these ideas forward with me.
Moderate: Genocide, Colonisation, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Addiction, Cultural appropriation, and Grief
nodogsonthemoon's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Racism, Colonisation, Animal death, Grief, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Genocide
Minor: Child death, Cannibalism, Car accident, Hate crime, Suicide, and War
shellbell's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Genocide, and Colonisation
offbrandclubsoda's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Genocide, and Racism
Minor: Animal death
aguattery's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Animal death, Colonisation, and Genocide
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Racism
Minor: Cannibalism
lngoo's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Genocide
kelly_e's review against another edition
4.75
Author: Robin Wall Kimmerer
Genre: Non Fiction Environment
Rating: 4.75
Pub Date: August 11, 2015
T H R E E • W O R D S
Wise • Meaningful • Absorbing
📖 S Y N O P S I S
In Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer asks questions about nature through the lens of science. Through Indigenous knowledge, she explores the reciprocal relationship between humans and the natural world and presents the historical context of plants and animals as our oldest teachers.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Every once in awhile a book comes along and changes you, for me Braiding Sweetgrass was that book. I absolutely loved it!
Not only is this book and its message important, but it opened up my mind to so much ancient knowledge of the indigenous people and extensive personal reflections is so many different ways. I was instantly captivated by Robin Wall Kimmerer's poetic prose and vivid imagery. Each chapter/essay felt powerful its own way. Combining her scientific background and honest approach to learning with the teachings of the land, there's a beauty unlike anything else with each new idea she brings to the table. It broadened my ecological consciousness, it opened up a world of possibility in honouring the land and seeing the natural world as the greatest teacher, and spark much reflection on my own reciprocal relationship with the world around me.
The only thing that stopped this being a five-star experience is that at times it got overly repetitive, which created a lull in the immersive journey. With that being said, this is a book meant to be savoured, absorbed, and put into practice. I highly recommend reading while listening along to enhance the experience even more.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• anyone who cares about our impact on the planet
• nature enthusiasts
• everyone!
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"People often ask me what one thing I would recommend to restore relationship between land and people. My answer is almost always, "Plant a garden." It's good for the health of the earth and it's good for the health of people. A garden is a nursery for nurturing connection, the soil for cultivation of practical reverence. And its power goes far beyond the garden gate - once you develop a relationship with a little patch of earth, it comes a seed itself.
Something essential happens in a vegetable garden. It's a place where if you can't say 'I love you' out loud, you can say it in seeds. And the land will reciprocate, in beans."
"Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond."
"'Weep! Weep!' calls a toad from the water's edge. And I do. If grief can be a doorway to love, then les us all weep for the world we are breaking apart so we can love it back to wholeness again."
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Grief, Death, Genocide, and Animal death