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tiana_king's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Not a strictly scientific book but fascinating none the less. A blend of science, history, politics, and personal experience comes together in this book. Follow Pollan on a journey through uppers, downers, and “outers”!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, Drug use, Pandemic/Epidemic, Mental illness, Cultural appropriation, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
ruthmoog's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
2.5
Wishing for the confidence of this author! 😅
I took unnecessary exception to the author's claim of giving up caffeine cold-turkey, while apparently drinking decaf. 🥴
I just think there must better content out there than these three self- case studies? However, not so terrible that I didn't finish it, despite that the final chapter didn't sit well with me; in one breath the author talked about the sensitivity of writing about Indigenous medicine and in the next seemingly ignored caution.
I took unnecessary exception to the author's claim of giving up caffeine cold-turkey, while apparently drinking decaf. 🥴
I just think there must better content out there than these three self- case studies? However, not so terrible that I didn't finish it, despite that the final chapter didn't sit well with me; in one breath the author talked about the sensitivity of writing about Indigenous medicine and in the next seemingly ignored caution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Drug use, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Drug abuse
afion's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Minor: Ableism, Colonisation, and Sexism
rzh's review
informative
medium-paced
3.75
mmm mixed feelings about this. it is a real page turner, because pollan is a great writer: though some parts are repetitive or tangential. the social history of each plant was really interesting to read about, as was the socialisation and stigma around each, although at times the latter was overwrought (especially the first chapter on opium). the three chapters felt like three equal parts and each plant was given adequate attention. the second chapter on caffeine was definitely my favourite. the book does have a bit of an anticlimactic ending, although i'm not quite sure what i expected. overall, i'd say this book is a good read, especially if you're into essayists, but if you're after a more scientific or fact-based narrative it might not be for you: as the author leans heavily on his own experiences, each chapter becomes more of a personal essay situation (which is totally fair but i feel that it the book kind of masquerades as more science-based than it actually ends up being). 3.75 stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Colonisation
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