A truly delightful book that delves deep into the fascinating relationship between American culture and nature awaits you. It is filled to the brim with hilarious anecdotes that will make you chuckle, a rich history that provides valuable context, and engaging discussions that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Michael Pollan, the author, does an excellent job of ensuring that his perspective on the various issues being discussed is crystal clear to the reader. At times, his views might come across as a bit overbearing, but it's not to the point where it becomes annoying. This book is an absolute must-read for those who have a passion for plants and gardening. However, it's important to note that these are not necessary prerequisites. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in learning more about the attitudes towards nature, the great outdoors, and plants within American culture. It's a captivating and enlightening read that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the connection between humanity and the natural world.

Why must he philosophize lawn care for 50 pages? It seems rather excessive. Lawn care is a practical task, but delving into it with such intense philosophical musings for such a length can be quite overwhelming.

Perhaps he feels that there is a deeper meaning and significance to maintaining a lawn. Maybe he sees it as a metaphor for life, with its own set of principles and values.

However, for the average reader, 50 pages of philosophizing about lawn care might be a bit much. It could make the topic seem more complicated than it really is.

On the other hand, some people might be intrigued by his unique perspective and enjoy exploring the philosophical aspects of lawn care. It could open their eyes to new ways of thinking about this seemingly ordinary activity.

In the end, whether or not his 50-page exploration of lawn care philosophy is worthwhile depends on the individual reader's interests and preferences. Some may find it enlightening, while others may simply be left scratching their heads.

This book was truly just a source of pure fun.

However, it's important to note that you definitely have to have a genuine enjoyment for gardening and a deep appreciation for nature in order to probably like it as much as I did. Lol.

The author's vivid descriptions and engaging stories really bring the world of gardening and nature to life.

It's like taking a virtual tour through beautiful gardens and experiencing the wonders of the natural world right from the pages of the book.

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just someone who loves spending time outdoors, this book has something for everyone.

It's a great read that will leave you feeling inspired and connected to the beauty and simplicity of nature.

So if you're looking for a lighthearted and enjoyable book that celebrates the joys of gardening and nature, then this is definitely one that you should check out.

You won't be disappointed!

These essays about gardening are not only more philosophical than practical but also entirely charming and thought-provoking.

The author shares his unique perspectives. He writes that in one of his vegetable gardens, there was "Everything but lettuce, which, since it bore no fruit, held not nearly enough drama for him. Why would anyone ever want to grow leaves?"

Moreover, he compares preparing a bed for roses to getting the house ready for the arrival of a difficult old lady, an aristocratic and persnickety biddy. He emphasizes that her stay is bound to be an ordeal, and one wants to give her as little cause for complaint as possible.

Finally, he posits that to weed is to bring culture to nature. That's why when we are weeding, we say we are cultivating the soil. In this sense, weeding is not a nuisance that follows from gardening but its very essence. It is through these vivid descriptions and profound insights that the author invites readers to look at gardening from a whole new and fascinating angle.

I have a genuine love for every single book that I have read by Michael Pollen. However, I was rather late in getting to this particular one. It was published in the early 1990s, a time when I was far more interested in college parties than in the art of gardening.

Thankfully, I took the time to read it eventually, and I'm so glad I did. This book is truly as inspirational a gardening book as I have ever come across. It's a philosophical work, yet it doesn't feel overbearing or preachy.

There is one chapter in which Pollen engages in what I would describe as a Marxist rhetorical criticism in his review of various garden catalogs. He delves into how Kenneth Burke's form can be applied to the garden. He contemplates how the tree might serve as a trope.

And, most importantly, he carefully and clearly explains the problems that romantic nature-writers have unknowingly created by idolizing a nature that is "out there" and somehow detached from our everyday environment. He also discusses how, by protecting special spaces, we seem to give ourselves the license to decimate the rest of nature.

While there isn't a great deal of practical gardening advice here, no specific directives or steps to follow, it does succeed in getting the reader to think deeply about their own garden and their relationship to it. It makes one reflect on the larger implications of our actions and our connection to the natural world.

Overall, this is a thought-provoking and engaging read that I would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in gardening or the environment.

While I have read several of Pollan's books to date and have always found them enjoyable, this particular one was the first outside of his traditional realm of nutrition and food. I have always been drawn to these topics as they align more closely with my personal and current areas of interest.

As I loaded the book onto my Kindle, I thought to myself, "But still, having worked weekends in a plant nursery and as a landscaper for many seasons during my formative years, I'll have no problem following along!" Oh, how little I knew. This is truly a collection of essays covering a wide variety of topics - gardening, lawncare, trees, weeds, roses, landscape design, and so much more. And in a style unlike anything I had experienced before, Pollan delves deep into the garden of each of these subjects.

A typical chapter might begin with a couple of pages detailing his personal experience of planting a tree in his yard, only to then suddenly launch into a 40-page exploration of the history, philosophy, and morality of any one of a dozen related tangents. Especially in the last quarter of the book, as more and more questions of morality - such as "What is a weed - are humans really the weeds in the garden of nature?" - spring forth from the text like an abundance of dandelion sprouts, I felt as though all I could do was hold on tight and do my best to stay on the garden path as Pollan raced ahead miles in front of me.

It's a good book! I really liked it! But boy, did it make my head hurt at times. The depth and breadth of Pollan's research and the way he weaves together different ideas and perspectives can be quite overwhelming. However, it also makes for a truly engaging and thought-provoking read. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in nature, gardening, or philosophy.

A truly extremely heavy book regarding gardening - encompassing history, philosophy, and ethics. It is truly fascinating.

Particularly, I have a great fondness for the sections that discuss the concept of allowing nature to take its course as opposed to the inevitable impact that we have on nature.

The age-old question of whether to weed or not to weed is also explored in great depth.

On one hand, weeding can be seen as a necessary task to maintain the beauty and order of a garden. It helps to remove unwanted plants that may compete with the desired ones for nutrients, water, and sunlight.

On the other hand, not weeding can allow nature to follow its own rhythm and create a more natural and diverse ecosystem within the garden.

This book presents a thought-provoking exploration of these and other related topics, making it a must-read for any gardening enthusiast.

This is a reread for me, and I truly love this book.

I have decided to change my rating to 5 stars.

Moreover, I have plans to expand my vegetable garden next year.

This book offers a great reflection and critique of Americans' relationship to their tiny slivers of outdoor spaces.

Even though it was written almost 20 years ago, it doesn't feel dated at all.

If you are new to gardening, I highly recommend this book.

It provides valuable insights and practical tips that can help you get started on your gardening journey.

Whether you have a small balcony or a large backyard, this book has something to offer.

It will inspire you to make the most of your outdoor space and create a beautiful and productive garden.

So, don't hesitate to pick up this book and start reading.

You won't be disappointed!

INCREDIBLE!!!

This is an absolute must-read for anyone who has an interest in gardening and/or the history and evolving culture of Western gardening.

I was truly amazed by how much I learned from reading this book.

It delves deep into the fascinating world of gardening, exploring not only the practical aspects but also the rich history and cultural significance that has shaped it over the years.

From the early beginnings of Western gardening to the modern-day trends and innovations, this book covers it all.

The author's passion for the subject matter shines through on every page, making it a captivating and engaging read.

Whether you are a seasoned gardener looking to expand your knowledge or a beginner just starting out, this book is sure to provide you with valuable insights and inspiration.

Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to explore the world of Western gardening and discover its hidden treasures.

I truly love Michael Pollan. He has long been one of my heroes ever since I delved into The Omnivore's Dilemma.

While reading that remarkable work, I couldn't help but laugh at certain points, as Pollan's writing is both engaging and humorous. At the same time, I also learned a great deal.

His exploration of the ethics and aesthetics of how people interact with nature has left me with a lot more to ponder.

However, it is a bit of a pity that Pollan can sometimes come across as a touch pompous himself.

In his attempts to mock the pomposity of others, he may inadvertently display some of those same qualities.

Nevertheless, this small flaw does not overshadow the many valuable contributions he has made to our understanding of the complex relationship between humans and nature.

I still hold him in high regard and look forward to reading more of his work in the future.

This is truly a remarkable book when it comes to gardening. It's not just a typical how-to guide that focuses solely on the practical steps. Instead, it delves deeper into the inspirational aspect of why one should engage in gardening. I absolutely loved it. The writing is of excellent quality, captivating the reader from start to finish. It manages to convey the beauty and significance of gardening in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Whether you are an experienced gardener looking for new inspiration or a beginner just starting out, this book is sure to have something for you. It makes you see gardening in a whole new light and appreciate the joy and fulfillment it can bring.

Michael Pollan's "Second Nature" has truly captivated me. I'm now convinced that I'm well on my way to becoming a Michael Pollan completist. This was his first work, and as I often read the first ones last, it's my current encounter with Pollan completism. The book took me on a nostalgic journey back to the days of working in my grandmother's garden, my mother's garden, and even the first garden my wife and I had on our apartment balcony. It also reminded me of my wanderings through Jefferson's garden at Monticello, Versailles, and the beautiful lilac gardens of Maui.

Pollan was clearly influenced by Thoreau and Wendell Berry in his writing, but in this book, his philosophy seems more driven by the pragmatism of William James. His fundamental premise is that the garden serves as a better metaphor for addressing the current environmental issues we face and the zero-sum-game debates surrounding development versus wilderness. I generally concur with much of what he says about gardens, trees, wilderness, and our need to discover new metaphors for our relationship with nature that integrates nature, man, and man's culture. However, he does have a tendency to get a bit too poetic at times.

Pollan is essentially a long-form magazine writer who, like John McPhee and others, has realized that narrative nonfiction can be effectively crafted by combining chapters based on magazine articles and uniting them into a book. While this may not be the best of Pollan's works, for Pollan fans, nature lovers, or gardeners, there is undoubtedly enough substance in this book to satisfy all kinds of readers.

"It may be in the margins of our gardens that we can discover fresh ways to bring our aesthetics and our ethics about the land into some meaningful alignment."

-- Michael Pollan, Second Nature