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jettreads's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
manda2491's review
5.0
Four fascinating and thoughtful essays on the interconnectedness of humans and plants (and the socioeconomic factors that contribute to demand)
teachinsci's review against another edition
4.0
Good history, good science. He waxes a bit poetic at times. My biggest problem is that he gets a bit repetitive (especially when talking about Johnny Appleseed). Good read however.
susanbrooks's review
3.0
I love Michael Pollan's perspective on things. This is a sort of social history of 4 plants. I didn't love this as much as The Omnivore's Dilemma; a bit more botanical than I like. The cannabis chapter was the most interesting, as it was more about the social than the botanical history.
maryehavens's review
3.0
Did you know that Johnny Appleseed's popularity selling apple trees to pioneers was so that they could get drunk on cider? That Tulipomania in Holland is an example of the modern day dot com bust? That our brain has a cannabinoid center that is probably responsible for forgetting the pain and experience of childbirth? I didn't but I'm glad I do now!
Pollan lost me in the marijuana chapter. He explains that people get high to discover that sense of wonder that they have lost through collective remembering of experience. Then he gives examples which, quite frankly, I don't have time for. I've never gotten high and never felt like I lost that sense of wonder. Does that mean the cannabinoid center of my brain is more turned on that others? There was also some suspect theology that didn't float as well as a "your brain can power through your depression but take those antidepressant placebos anyway" kind of stuff. Honestly, he sounded like HE was high during some of the chapter. I even re-read parts because I thought I was being too defensive. Nope. It's there, in black and white.
Also: the potato chapter was kind of boring. Important, but a bit boring :) I wanted more history. I think I was just ready to be done after my battle with the marijuana chapter!
Pollan lost me in the marijuana chapter. He explains that people get high to discover that sense of wonder that they have lost through collective remembering of experience. Then he gives examples which, quite frankly, I don't have time for. I've never gotten high and never felt like I lost that sense of wonder. Does that mean the cannabinoid center of my brain is more turned on that others? There was also some suspect theology that didn't float as well as a "your brain can power through your depression but take those antidepressant placebos anyway" kind of stuff. Honestly, he sounded like HE was high during some of the chapter. I even re-read parts because I thought I was being too defensive. Nope. It's there, in black and white.
Also: the potato chapter was kind of boring. Important, but a bit boring :) I wanted more history. I think I was just ready to be done after my battle with the marijuana chapter!
cojack's review
5.0
I love Michael Pollan's style. He blends history, science, politics, and social/cultural context in an engaging, informative way. This book deals with the ways humans and four plants/veggies (apple, tulip, marijuana, and potato) have interacted and evolved over centuries. Truly fascinating stuff.
I listed to the audiobook of this. The narrator was decent, but I wish it had been narrated by Pollan himself.
I listed to the audiobook of this. The narrator was decent, but I wish it had been narrated by Pollan himself.