I really wanted to have a great liking for this.

However, the writing style was extremely repetitive, almost to the point of being unashamedly so. Sentence after sentence, it seemed to mistrust its reader.

Aside from that, an incredibly large amount of time was dedicated to Johnny Appleseed. And for some strange reason, this author seemed to have an unusual fixation on weed.

I did like the sections about the tulip and the potato. Thankfully, the audiobook was a nice saving grace.

There were many wildly stretched metaphors and useless musings, which unfortunately did not contribute to making a good, fact-filled journalistic narrative.

It's a pity that despite some redeeming features, the overall quality of the writing was somewhat lacking.

Perhaps with a different approach to the writing style and a more focused narrative, this could have been a much better piece.

This book has truly revolutionized the way I perceive plants and our connection to them. It has opened my eyes to a whole new world of botanical wonders and the intricate web of life that exists within the plant kingdom.

As a result of reading this book, I now find myself filled with an intense and perhaps somewhat irrational longing. I have this overwhelming desire to grow apple trees from seed and scatter them far and wide. The thought of nurturing these tiny seeds into magnificent apple trees that can provide shade, beauty, and delicious fruit is simply captivating.

I imagine the joy of watching the first shoots emerge from the soil, the excitement of seeing the trees grow taller and stronger with each passing day, and the satisfaction of harvesting the apples that have been carefully cultivated. It's not just about the act of growing the trees; it's about creating a living legacy and contributing to the natural environment in a small but meaningful way. =)

Looking at human history from the perspective of plants is truly a wonderful idea.

The Botany of Desire progresses as a solid research book until the last section. However, in the final part, Pollan attempts to shed light on the future of our relationship with plants through a genetically modified potato variety.

There are interesting information and ideas that can really broaden your horizons. Since I will present it in school, I read it for the second time - parallel to the original language - but it affected me as if it were the first time.

Even if you don't fully agree with Pollan's ideas, it must be read to look at our relationship with nature from a different perspective.

This book offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of the role of plants in human history and our future interactions with them. It challenges us to think beyond the traditional view of plants as mere objects and consider their agency and influence.

Pollan's writing style is engaging and accessible, making the book suitable for a wide range of readers. Whether you are a science enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply curious about the world around you, The Botany of Desire is sure to provide valuable insights and stimulate your imagination.

Overall, it is a must-read book that offers a fresh and exciting perspective on the relationship between humans and plants.

By the end of this book, I truly desired to have Michael Pollan's life, to some extent.

I would be content with a lovely house in a certain place where I could have a large garden filled with all kinds of plants just like his. That was the main allure, along with the necessary knowledge and experience of nature itself and the nature of how things grow, in short.

As noble as it may sound in theory for humans to be in harmony with nature, it becomes evident from his summation in the epilogue that it is not only practical but also highly rewarding.

Part of the reason why I feel an even stronger attraction towards plants after finishing this book is that I think the order of the chapters was well-selected. The themes he addressed were introduced most effectively with the apple and concluded best with the potato. Although I would have to say that the chapters on cannabis and the potato were my two favorites.

After learning about everything else and then seeing the contrast between the commercial Monsanto-controlled potato farming in Idaho and Michael Pollan's own backyard, you become intelligent and informed enough on the subject to feel passionate about cultivating a more symbiotic relationship with your environment.

Once again, this is why I now want a nice house with a big garden even more.

No review here. I just happened to notice this book marked as unread on Goodreads. Mind you, I had a life before Goodreads! But as a matter of fact, I've read this book years ago. Surprisingly, I still remember it vividly. It was such a captivating read that I fell in love with it instantly. I can't recommend it highly enough. It's truly a gem of a book. The story is very, very interesting, filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. It's one of those books that you just can't put down once you start. It's definitely a keeper, a book that I will cherish and probably read again in the future. If you're looking for a great read, don't hesitate to pick up this book.

Structurally/formally inventive,

this book offers moments of genuinely mind-blowing insight.

It has the power to change the way we perceive even the simplest of things, like eating an apple.

After reading this book, one will never again eat an apple without thinking of the profound ideas and unique perspectives it presents.

The author's creativity in structuring the narrative and presenting the content is truly remarkable.

It engages the reader on multiple levels and forces us to think outside the box.

This book is not just a collection of words; it is a thought-provoking journey that leaves a lasting impression.

It challenges our assumptions and broadens our horizons, making us more aware of the world around us.

Whether you are a literature enthusiast or simply looking for a unique reading experience, this book is definitely worth checking out.

Michael Pollan examines the relationship between plants and humans from the plant's perspective. This unique view reveals the diverse genetic traits such as color, shape, size, fragrance, taste, and robustness that plants use to attract human attention. Pollan is aware that plants don't have conscious intent; these are just their survival and reproduction strategies. He states, "Our desires are simply more grist for evolution's mill, no different from a change in the weather: a peril for some species, an opportunity for others." This new perspective shifts the focus from human mastery to a coevolutionary relationship.

Pollan divides his exploration into four sections. The third section, "Desire: Intoxication/Plant: Marijuana," might seem tempting to skip, but it's an important part of the overall narrative. The four sections are carefully structured stories of historical change, with the apple in chapter 1 representing extreme biodiversity and the potato in chapter 4 highlighting the tragedy of monoculture. The tulip and marijuana have contrasting stories that intersect in Holland.

Pollan reminds us of changes that we now take for granted. Gardens were once valued for their utility, not just their aesthetic appeal. Plants provided food and were used in apothecary experiments. The meaning of sweetness has also changed over time. The Incas were excellent farmers who planted multiple varieties of potato to combat various challenges. Pollan travels to different places, interviews growers, and shares anecdotes from his own garden. His chapter on marijuana reflects on the effects of a misguided public policy and ongoing neuroscience research. His thoughts on genetic engineering are thought-provoking, presenting the efforts of different groups with depth and objectivity.

In conclusion, Pollan's writing is outstanding. He combines information, poetry, and philosophy in a way that makes his phrasings worth savoring. His work offers a new perspective on the relationship between plants and humans and invites us to think more deeply about our connection to the natural world.

This was like NPR in printed form,

and it truly felt as if it was intended to be read in that particular medium.

The potato chapter was truly great, offering fascinating insights and details.

However, the marijuana chapter was rather irritating, perhaps due to its controversial nature or the way it was presented.

The tulip chapter, on the other hand, was needlessly verbose.

Despite this, it was full of some of the book's best trivia, which made it somewhat redeemable.

The apple chapter was a bit quixotic, with its rather idealistic and perhaps overly romanticized view.

Overall, the book is all grotesquely bucolic, painting a somewhat idyllic but also slightly odd picture of the world.

The lack of any synthesis at the end left me feeling underwhelmed.

It is short, and by all means, it is worth reading if it's all you have available.

But don't expect a deeply profound or comprehensive work.

Reminded me of A History of the World in 6 Glasses with the introduction, except it was even worse. It was extremely long and repetitious. The author kept wandering into pseudoscientific philosophy, which made it really hard to follow. As well as Scott Brick read this, and it was incredibly boring listening to the same points for half an hour. So, I just had to quit.

Yes, it is interesting to think about whether we domesticated a plant or it domesticated us. The evolutionary imperative of any organism is to spread copies of its DNA. Yuval Noah Harari mentioned it in Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind a decade later. But'mentioned' is the key word here. That's all it's really worth. It's like a koan, a philosophical riddle that can mean many different things depending on the observer.

The history and mechanisms of co-evolution are also interesting. However, his assertion that plants are almost mystically wonderful at biochemistry is just ridiculous. Biochemically, bacteria and venomous critters can be just as strange as plants. We humans are no slouches ourselves when it comes to our ability to break down a wide variety of materials to feed ourselves. The idea that a strain of cannabis can get us high seems less strange to me than a mere fungus, yeast, which can do everything from getting us high to making bread rise and even producing insulin to treat diabetes.

Anyway, I was looking for a scientific and historical book, not sophomoric philosophy. I was really disappointed with this one.

After reading this book which consists of four plants (apple, tulip, marijuana and potato) and four different human desires (sweetness, beauty, intoxication and control) related to these plants, I believe that your perspective on the plant-human relationship and the evolution of plants will change a lot. I underlined and underlined it and read it with great interest.

The author has presented a unique and thought-provoking exploration of how plants have interacted with humans throughout history. The connection between each plant and its corresponding human desire is fascinating and makes you think about the role that plants play in our lives.

For example, the apple is associated with the desire for sweetness, which has led to the cultivation and breeding of different varieties of apples to satisfy our taste buds. The tulip, on the other hand, is linked to the desire for beauty, and its popularity has led to the development of a huge flower industry.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the relationship between plants and humans, as well as the evolution of plants. It will open your eyes to a whole new world of possibilities and make you appreciate the importance of plants in our lives.

I really loved the concept of this particular thing.

It had so much potential to be truly amazing and engaging. However, when it came to the execution, it was a little dry.

The details and the way it was presented just didn't have that spark or excitement that one would have hoped for.

It felt like there was a lack of creativity or perhaps a bit of a rushed job in bringing the concept to life.

Despite this, the underlying concept still holds a lot of promise.

If only the execution could be improved and made more dynamic, it could really be something special.

Maybe with a bit more time and effort put into it, the dryness could be eliminated and the full potential of the concept could be realized.

As it stands now, it's a bit of a disappointment, but there is still hope for it to be better in the future.

In 1962, Rachel Carson informed us in her book Silent Spring about how humans were wreaking havoc on the Earth.

I recall that in my earliest years, as we drove through the South Texas fields of cotton, corn, and sorghum, people kept talking about this book.

The adults would explain to us children that DDT was being sprayed at that time, but soon other chemicals would be utilized as DDT was harming the plants more than benefiting them.

It presented general ideas about a general problem, which was ultimately solved by government intervention.

Moving ahead to 2001, Michael Pollan told us in his book The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World that our desires, whether as small gardeners or large growers, have an impact on plants.

We select seeds or seedlings and conduct both non-scientific and scientific experiments in an attempt to make a plant produce a larger bloom, have a deeper hue, and be what humans desire, not necessarily what plants and bees prefer.

This book gently warns and speaks eloquently.

For more information, there are several videos on YouTube about Michael Pollan and The Botany of Desire.

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