The Botany of Desire was composed in a language that blatantly revealed Michael Pollan's penchant for hearing himself write. His concepts were fascinating, as he traced the journey of four plants - the potato, cannabis, the apple, and the tulip - through their association with mankind.

I appreciate the way he approaches the topic, not only observing what humans have done to these plants to adapt them for our own use but also how the plants have, in certain ways, utilized us for their own purposes. It is indeed true that, while we believe we are the masters of our own fates, we are intricately connected to the world around us. There exists an ecological cause and effect that often eludes us due to our anthropogenic perspective.

However, my contention with the book is that Pollan overrelies on imagery from Greek mythology, which consequently makes some sections tiresome to read. By far, the most captivating part is the final section on the interaction between humanity and the potato. It offers profound insights into the complex relationship between us and this humble tuber, highlighting how our actions have shaped its evolution and vice versa.

Overall, The Botany of Desire is a thought-provoking read that challenges our assumptions about our relationship with the natural world.

What a wonderful book!

Desire takes on many forms. It could be a craving for food, a sexual urge between two of the same species, or the need to possess something.

But how does all this relate to botany? Well, humans aren't the only ones with desires. Plants, like any other life form on this planet, also have their own desires. For example, the desire to spread and multiply.

Not to mention that beings can take advantage of another's desire for their own benefit.

We have coexisted with plants for a long time. We need them, and to some extent, they need us. Could they survive without humans? Absolutely. Because they have learned to utilize other creatures, such as mammals, birds, and insects, as well.

But who is domesticating whom here?

In four chapters, the author explores four different kinds of desires represented by four different kinds of plants: sweetness as symbolized by the apple, beauty as represented by the tulip, intoxication as represented by cannabis, and control as represented by the potato.

Thus, we discuss everything from how today's apple varieties are grown and cultivated (no, planting a seed from your favorite apple won't get you far, I'm afraid), to how the tulip became more valuable than gold in the Netherlands in the 17th century and how something as seemingly unimportant as beauty was also a great commodity, to the biology of intoxication and plants' evolution to either kill or manipulate the brains of their consumers, to the cultivation and genetic manipulation of food like the potato and Monsanto's impact on today's farming industry.

We learn a great deal about evolution and history, as well as politics and man's need to dominate his world. Some of these stories, like that of Johnny Appleseed, are quirky or even downright funny, while others are fascinating. I knew a fair amount about apples and tulips but learned a lot about cannabis (from the transformation of the political landscape surrounding this mild drug to why plants use this kind of effect as a way to ensure we keep cultivating and even spreading it, not to mention the intoxication of animals). The last chapter was my least favorite. That doesn't mean it was bad. It's just that I already knew how bad Monsanto is (not necessarily morally, but because of the spread of mono-cultures and the limitation of new forms from evolving or being invented), as well as genetic modifications to pesticides and food plants themselves and the impact this has on the wilderness. I also know how crazy some food standards are (the best example being the requirements for french fries the author mentioned), which makes this topic the most depressing of the four. *lol*

A holistic and quite unique perspective on plants and our relationship with them. I loved how the author incorporated everything from biology, chemistry, and history to politics and (human and animal) psychology.

Last but not least, the writing style was also highly addictive. *lol* Seriously, I always say that the key to making non-fiction more popular is to have more authors who can break down complex topics in an engaging way without dumbing them down too much and be eloquent enough to hold the readers' attention. In this case, I guarantee you'll even be enthusiastic!

This was truly fascinating.

As a horticulturist myself, I was already familiar with some of the knowledge that Pollan shared in his writings. However, I also discovered several new things that I hadn't known before.

The chapter on apples was particularly enjoyable for me, as was the chapter on potatoes.

Whether you are a gardener or not, I would highly recommend this book. It provides great information on history, food, human behaviors, and gardening, and it manages to hold your interest from start to finish.

I also appreciated the areas of humor that were sprinkled throughout the book. They added an extra layer of enjoyment to the reading experience.

Overall, I would rate this book 4.5 stars. It is a great read for anyone who is interested in learning more about the relationship between humans and plants.

I'm not entirely certain what my expectations were for this book. Ever since it was published, I've had a desire to read it, and it has been sitting on my shelf for all these years. Perhaps I anticipated being completely amazed by a wealth of astonishing plant details. However, this turned out to be more of a leisurely walk through a garden, with an emphasis on 4 particular plants.

My favorite chapters regarding plants were those on marijuana and potatoes. They offered unique perspectives and interesting information.

On the other hand, I wasn't overly drawn into the philosophy discussions about Apollo and Dionysus. They seemed a bit less engaging to me.

Nevertheless, I truly relished the parts where the author wrote about his own personal experiences in gardening. It added a touch of authenticity and made the reading more enjoyable.

This guy has truly inspired me. He has made me decide to grow my own food and even keep a few hens in the backyard. In these rather unsettling times, being a little self-reliant gives me a great sense of stability and hope.

In this book, Pollan, as I think, takes a look at four plants and relates them to human desires. He begins with the apple and goes into a rather long-winded ramble about Johnny Appleseed's quest to sell his trees to pioneers and his somewhat strange lust for a 10-year-old bride (thankfully, this aspect wasn't explored in great detail). Johnny's enthusiasm for the apple and his determination to plant the seed (and his refusal to graft) led to the development of many varieties that adapted to new climates. Although I'm learning quite a bit about Johnny here, I would have preferred more specific facts about the apple itself. I'm hoping that the following chapters will be more interesting because I find my mind wandering more than usual while listening to this.

I've now completed the tulip section and am about halfway through the marijuana chapter. However, at this point, I've come to the realization that this book just doesn't hold my interest. It is very repetitive and meandering. I'll finish it up and hope that the treatment of the potato can engage me enough to get through it.

Later on, I finished the book and did indeed find the potato section much more interesting. This is because I'm always intrigued by GMO foods, the science behind them, the corruption involved, the danger they pose to our society, and the greed that often drives their development. I didn't really learn anything new as this was written quite a few years ago, but it still managed to capture my attention all the same.

Every time I pick up a book by Pollan, I can't help but wonder if this will be the moment when it starts to feel repetitive. However, somehow, that never seems to happen. There's always something new and unexpected in the way he delves into the world of gardening and our relationship with plants, which slightly alters my perspective. It's not anything overly dramatic, as he's essentially preaching to the choir, but it's still significant. I've already devoured both of his more recent books that feature psychedelics (How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence and This Is Your Mind on Plants). And what he expounds upon in this book regarding how marijuana might function in the brain and the philosophical enormity of that is still a bit of a surprise.

The sections about apples, tulips, and potatoes were indeed very interesting, don't get me wrong. But I've already read an abundance about GMOs, gene patenting, monocultures, Monsanto, and the perils of being a capitalist idiot hell-bent on cornering the market on flowers. This book was published in 2001, and a lot has changed since then. I have also already taken a stance on the Apollonian vs Dionysian approach to nature. Marijuana, however, is a different creature altogether. I don't partake in drugs. My interest in psychedelics is purely intellectual, as I'm eager to understand the intersection between botany and psychology in the way Pollan presents it, without having to smoke anything. I could subject myself to Freudian-style psychoanalysis to explore why my desire to understand the transcendence of consciousness and my inability to relinquish control over my ego are constantly at odds, but I don't think we have the time for that today. My point is that I won't experiment with psychedelics, yet I still yearn to know what they're like. Pollan makes for an excellent test subject.

In this book, Pollan posits that marijuana's capacity to impact short-term memory is what gives it such potency. The sense of wonder that people who are high experience regarding mundane things (it's not just "ice cream", it's ice cream) might be related to the partial removal of the filter our brains employ to construct reality. We cannot, and should not, remember every single detail of everything we sense. Our brain is remarkably adept at deliberately forgetting things, at filtering out what doesn't seem relevant to the task at hand, things that don't pose an immediate danger, that don't fulfill an immediate need, or that we're not choosing to focus on. You're currently reading this sentence, which is what your brain is occupied with. You're probably not paying attention to the birds chirping outside, or the wind rustling the leaves on the trees, or the sensation of your clothing against your skin. Marijuana breaks down some of those filters in a manner that makes you notice things you typically wouldn't and anchors you in your present state. I find that utterly fascinating.

The chapter on the apple was somewhat enlightening, yet it had an excessive fixation on Johnny Appleseed.

The chapter regarding Tulips was truly dull. Pollan's evolutionary/philosophical speculation within this chapter was completely off-base. Many scientific facts were also misdirected or incorrect, leading to numerous face-palms.

The musings on the effects of Marijuana were really discomforting. It's obvious that Pollan penned this chapter while under the influence. He suggests that meditation can make you as high as Marijuana, which simply isn't the case. He rambles on about spirituality in a bizarre and metaphysical manner.

The potato. Pollan shares with us his ignorance-driven skepticism regarding GM crops. He wrongly states that Monsanto has a patent on the BT gene. In fact, Monsanto's patents cover specific plant genomes with the BT gene inserted at a particular location. The difference is that Monsanto didn't invent the BT gene. What they rightfully claim as their intellectual property is the work of figuring out how to make the BT gene function within each plant. Evil patents are no more an argument against GM crops than they are against pharmaceuticals. His other argument is some philosophical nuance of object vs. subject. He seems to be presenting an argument for purity. That intentional tampering directly with the genome is different and worse than using "natural" techniques like cloning, grafting, crossing, and other forms of artificial selection. Really, there's no practical difference between modifying the sequence of genes with one or another technique. Some techniques, like recombinant genetic engineering, offer more possibilities. Then, he complains about monoculture for a few dozen pages. This part sounds as if it's straight out of the omnivore's dilemma.

Apollonian versus Dionysian, blah, blah, blah. I wish Pollan would focus on the fascinating anecdotes.

I really liked the fact that this book zeroed in on just four particular plants: apples, tulips, marijuana, and potatoes.

It was truly fascinating to explore the history of the apple. The way it has evolved over time and its significance in different cultures is quite remarkable.

The discussion regarding genetically modified potatoes was also extremely interesting. There is a big debate going on about which is safer - the genetically modified potato or the regular potato that is sprayed with herbicides using modern farming techniques.

This book delved deep into this topic, presenting different viewpoints and evidence. It made me think about the potential benefits and drawbacks of both options.

Overall, the focus on these four plants and the in-depth exploration of their histories and related issues made this book a very engaging read.

I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the world of plants and the complex issues surrounding them.

This is a truly remarkable gardening book that delves far beyond the traditional realm of how to garden.

It is a profound meditation on four distinct plants - apples, tulips, marijuana, and potatoes. These serve as the starting points for a wide-ranging discussion encompassing human desire, greed, psychology, and philosophy.

The author masterfully weaves together numerous themes to connect these four topics. For instance, he explores different aspects such as sweetness in relation to apples, beauty with tulips, intoxication with marijuana, and control with potatoes.

He also brings the main 'trait' of each section into the others, comparing how our culture and individuals treat these consumables differently.

From the very beginning, the author sets up the Apollo/Dionysus dichotomy, which he revisits time and again in each section.

The order of presentation is superb. The first section creates a sense of contemplation and intellectual exploration of plants. It poses thought-provoking questions like whether we domesticated plants or vice versa, and the difference between natural and human selection.

The story of Johnny Appleseed is examined, and the journey to understand the real man behind the legend is quite fascinating.

With tulips, we are taken to Holland, where parallels are drawn with modern stock brokers from centuries ago.

The chapter on marijuana focuses on the irony of the American Drug War and its impact on the culture of marijuana growers.

Finally, the potato chapter ties it all together, discussing large-scale farming practices versus small-scale gardening and organic farming.

This book is filled with wonderful thoughts and ideas. It is highly recommended for anyone who has an interest in plants, human nature, or just enjoys a good read.

Even if read in the gloom of winter, it has the power to transport the reader and make them think deeply about the world around us.

However, it should be noted that there are no specific instructions on how to grow these crops, so a basic understanding of gardening principles is beneficial to fully grasp the author's ideas.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone looking for a unique and engaging exploration of the intersection between plants and human life.

I'm gonne have to read all this guy's books. They are so good.

The book is divided into four sections: apples, tulips, marijuana, and potatoes. At first glance, it might seem like a real snoozer. However, three of the four sections truly blew me away.

Particularly, the section on Mr. Potato was extremely interesting (not so much the tulips).

This book features a plethora of notable figures such as Charles Darwin, Johnny Appleseed, Plato, Monsanto, Allen Ginsberg, Adam Smith, and Wendell Berry. It also delves into fascinating topics like the time when tulips were worth more than gold and the time when potatoes killed a million people.

Moreover, it explores Nietzsche's ideas and much more. But the absolute highlight of the book is the ethics and philosophy of nature and eating.

It offers profound insights and makes you think deeply about our relationship with the natural world and the food we consume.

So, I highly recommend reading this book. It's a captivating and thought-provoking read that will leave you with a new perspective on nature and eating.

The tulip section was a bit of a rough patch.

There were challenges and difficulties along the way. But boy howdy, when it came to the marijuana and potato sections, it all came together in the most remarkable way.

The efforts and hard work put into those sections paid off handsomely. The arrangements were meticulous, and the presentation was top-notch.

It was as if all the stars had aligned to create something truly special. The colors, the textures, and the overall atmosphere of those sections were simply captivating.

Visitors couldn't help but be drawn in and impressed by the beauty and precision on display. It was a testament to the dedication and creativity of the team involved.

And while the tulip section may have had its bumps, the success of the marijuana and potato sections more than made up for it. It was a moment of triumph and celebration.

My second encounter with Michael Pollan's work - the first being an essay on Caffeine that I listened to on Audible - has once again left me in awe of his writing prowess. His personality and ideas truly engage the reader, drawing us into the fascinating world of plants. In this book, Pollan shares numerous examples from the plant kingdom to illustrate how plants have evolved in tandem with humans. The concept of mutual desire between plants and humans is explored, showing how plants have adapted to become more useful to us or other creatures.

Pollan divides the book into four sections, each focusing on a different plant and the human desire it satisfies. Apples represent the desire for sweetness, tulips for beauty, cannabis for intoxication and the transformation of the mind, and potatoes for fundamentally useful food and order. In each section, as expected, there is a wealth of interesting information about the evolution of each plant.

Published in 2001, the book does not feature much about climate change. However, what it does not highlight either, in my opinion, is the significant role that greed and capitalism have played in the development of these plants. For example, the spread of apples in America was more closely associated with alcohol production than with healthy eating. Johnny Appleseed was more of a bringer of alcohol to the frontier than a contributor to the spread of healthy apples.

The section on tulips is equally captivating. We learn about the extravagant lengths to which the Sultan Ahmed went to adorn his garden with tulips, even to the point of bankrupting his kingdom. The process of grafting to create the crazy colors of tulips is also described in detail. The Queen of Night, a much-desired and expensive tulip color, is as close to black as a flower can get, yet it is actually a dark and glossy maroonish purple that appears to draw light into itself.

The section on cannabis is perhaps the most controversial and out-of-date, considering that several states have since legalized marijuana. Nevertheless, Pollan has a lot to say about the human desire to alter consciousness through drugs, a topic that has been much derided by Christianity. He also explores the connection between the evolution of many world religions and drugs, and the idea of achieving a mystical state without the use of sacraments. One interesting point he makes is that cannabis can temporarily alter short-term memory, but he suggests that this may not necessarily be a bad thing as it can allow us to drop the thread of time and experience the present moment more fully.

Finally, the section on potatoes delves into the English-Irish conflicts and the potato famine, as well as the issue of genetically modified foods. We learn about the work of Monsanto and the concerns raised by some farmers about the safety and ethics of genetically modified organisms. Despite the claims of some corporations, many people remain skeptical about the long-term effects of genetically modified foods, especially since we are not required to be informed about them on food labels.

Overall, Pollan's writing is engaging, informative, and thought-provoking. He has a unique ability to bring the world of plants to life and make us see them in a new light. Whether you are a nature lover, a foodie, or simply interested in the intersection of science and culture, this book is well worth reading.