Ahhhh...Michael Pollan, how do I love thee? It's truly impossible for me to recommend any of Pollan's books with sufficient emphasis. He is a remarkable author with brilliant ideas, a clear and delightful writing style. His works are not only thought-provoking but also funny and real. He truly endeavors to draw you into his book, transforming it from a one-sided affair of him writing and you reading into a captivating conversation of thoughts. At least, that's my interpretation and the feeling I'm left with after devouring one of his excellent books.

Second Nature is one of his older works, dating back to 1991. He employs his experiences in his garden, including his experiments, triumphs, failures, projects, and musings, to explore the Garden as the intersection of Nature and Culture. He presents such a compelling case that I felt a sense of pride and righteousness when reflecting on all the hard work we put into gardening our small plot of land. I gleaned a wealth of knowledge about the basics of gardening. Moreover, I gained a deeper understanding of American attitudes towards gardens, lawns, and nature. It was truly awesome.

The chapter "The Idea of a Garden" (chapter 10) should be mandatory reading for every environmentalist and/or eco-terrorist. And it should also be a must-read for you. Seriously, anyone who loves the land, has turned a spade of compost, sighed over a seed catalog, or simply had a small flower on the windowsill of a cramped apartment should pick up this book. It has the potential to revolutionize the way you perceive the 'natural' and 'cultivated' gardens of the world - including your own.

The conversational style that I have encountered truly reminds me of Logsdon's books. I have had the pleasure of thoroughly enjoying his works in the past.

It is quite remarkable how this particular style can engage the reader and make the reading experience feel more like a friendly chat.

In Pollan's book, chapter 4 stands out as something truly special. It is so well-written and thought-provoking that it can easily be read as a standalone essay.

The ideas presented in this chapter are not only interesting but also have the potential to make a significant impact on the reader's perspective.

Whether you are a fan of Logsdon's books or simply someone who enjoys a good read, Pollan's chapter 4 is definitely worth your time and attention.

It offers a unique and valuable perspective on a variety of topics, and it is sure to leave you with plenty to think about.

So, if you haven't already, I highly recommend giving it a read.

Michael Pollan is engaged in doing what Michael Pollan typically does. However, if you are contemplating reading this book, the genuine question is: how passionate are you truly about gardening?

I relished The Omnivore's Dilemma, was captivated by In Defense of Food, and completely fell in love with A Place of My Own. In my perspective, Second Nature was not on par with these works. Nevertheless, I would still wholeheartedly recommend it if you have any inclination towards gardening and enjoy the Pollan style.

For those new to Pollan, he takes a specific topic, in this case gardening, and thoroughly explores it in a combination of memoir and historical/cultural discourse. He leaves no stone unturned in the search for the greater, broader meanings of his subjects. If, like Pollan, you naturally "search for large meaning in small things", he might just be the best writer you've never heard of.

Ultimately, this book earns three stars from me for one sole reason: the subject simply did not grip me as anticipated. He tells a great story, has profound insights into the topic and its cultural significance, but I could not summon a corresponding level of interest in it. It may not be Pollan's fault in terms of his creation; it might be a deficiency in my appreciation. However, when pushed, I would have to rank it behind the three other works I mentioned above. It's a good book, but you need to have a love for the garden.

Wow! I'm truly amazed that I missed this when it was first published in 2007. But when I picked it up as a daily-deal ebook, it turned out to be so much more than I expected. A non-gardener might not be as excited as I was, but Michael Pollan's reflections on the American approach to nature, land use, landscaping, gardening, and life in general really grabbed my attention from the very beginning. It left me eager to know what that Connecticut garden looks like now that the author has moved to Berkeley.

His observations are truly priceless. For instance, regarding the American obsession with lawns, he says, "The lawn holds great appeal, especially to Americans. It looks sort of natural—it’s green; it grows—but in fact it represents a subjugation of the forest as utter and complete as a parking lot." And about our dislike of fences (which are frowned upon in the Planned Community where I live, grudgingly permitting split-rail fences but not picket fences), he remarks, "But the American prejudice against fences predates the suburban development. Fences have always seemed to us somehow un-American. Europeans built walled gardens; Americans from the start distrusted the hortus conclusus."

One of Pollan's strengths is his ability to see both sides of an argument and inspire readers like me to reflect on things I'd previously taken for granted. Instead of taking a stance on the formal versus the natural garden, he advocates for a middle ground. He states, "I would want to tell him that I thought that, nowadays, it might be a good thing for gardeners to go a little easier on the local wilderness, when they are lucky enough to have some of it left. And that maybe in doing so we would find a way to make our gardens a little less derivative—more American, and perhaps more contemporary, too. Not by giving them over to the forest or formlessness—that doesn’t accomplish anything—but simply by taking some care to honor the landscape’s past, and whatever remains wild in it."

The audiobook, as narrated by the author, offers an extremely rewarding listening experience.

It provides a witty exploration of gardening, encompassing both cultural and natural aspects. This is achieved through thorough research, which includes reading specialized and classic literature, as well as drawing on personal experience.

The book is rich in parts, with in-depth reasoning and conclusions. For example, it transfers the gardening metaphor and the collective learnings from tending our gardens to how we can approach our planet and the natural world as a whole.

We are encouraged to be humble, to strive for the ideal while being practical in our ongoing struggle with the forces of nature and civilization.

This audiobook is not only a source of entertainment but also a valuable source of knowledge and inspiration for those interested in gardening and our relationship with the natural world.

Reread in 2023. My favorite chapter is "The Idea of a Garden," which, in a rather remarkable way, manages to explore all of our relationships with the physical environment through the unique perspective of gardening.

This was the first of Pollan's books that I had initially postponed reading. I thought it might be inconsistent in quality and also it wasn't readily available. However, I finally managed to obtain a copy through inter-library loan, and I'm truly glad that I did. It contains everything that Pollan's fans could hope for when it comes to gardening. While a significant portion of his recent work has centered around food, this book and "A Place of My Own" are distinct. They are excellent choices for fans of MP's writing who are perhaps growing tired of the similarities in the food-related books.

These two works offer a fresh take and a different kind of exploration, delving into aspects of our connection with nature and the built environment that are not as commonly explored in the context of food. They provide a valuable addition to Pollan's body of work and offer readers a chance to engage with his ideas in a new and interesting way.

A truly fascinating and highly informative read that delves far deeper than the realm of mere gardening. By drawing on a rich tapestry of history, ecology, religion, literature, and philosophy, Pollan engages in a profound discussion about how gardening significantly impacts our relationship with nature.

His writing style is nothing short of excellent. For instance, he entertainingly describes "the loathsome slugs: naked bullets of flesh--evicted snails--that hide from the light of day, emerging at sunset to cruise the garden along their own avenues of slime." This vivid and engaging description brings the slugs to life in a way that is both repulsive and captivating.

In addition to the humble slug, Pollan tackles much larger and more complex topics here. These include crucial issues such as land use, genetic engineering, and a whole host of other environmental concerns.

He goes on to propose a revolutionary new ethic for environmental stewardship. This ethic views man's relationship to nature as that of a gardener who is intricately interconnected with the land, rather than adhering to the currently prevailing wilderness ethic. He posits that the absolutist viewpoints from which most people view the land, whether it be through a market aesthetic or a wilderness aesthetic, are ultimately unhelpful to either cause.

This book is an absolute must-read for environmentalists, gardeners, and anyone who takes the time to contemplate the beautiful and complex American landscape. It offers valuable insights and a fresh perspective that is sure to inspire and challenge readers.

Although I am not a gardener - I joke that I have a black thumb, I do understand the attraction and love to walk through communal gardens and so forth.

In this early book, Michael Pollan, who is now renowned for his two bestsellers on food (one of which was reviewed by me), delves into the world of gardening. He explores the concept of gardens and the false dichotomy we often create between nature and culture.

This is a wise and thoughtful book that, in my opinion, reflects the attitude we require to address our environmental issues, ranging from invasive species to global climate change. Pollan's insights offer a fresh perspective on how we interact with the natural world and how our gardens can serve as a microcosm of this relationship.

By examining the history and significance of gardens, he shows us that they are not just aesthetically pleasing spaces but also a means of connecting with nature and understanding our place within it.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in gardening, the environment, or the relationship between humans and nature.

This is an absolute must-read for gardeners and plant enthusiasts alike.

In 2023, it is understandable that some parts of it may seem a bit outdated, considering it is over 30 years old.

Upon a reread, I would likely skip a couple of essays that don't feel overly relevant in today's context.

For instance, there is an essay about a Connecticut forest and the town's efforts to save it.

However, I am awarding this book 5 stars for my favorite essays.

These include those on American lawns, which offer unique insights into their history and cultural significance.

The essays on weeds, roses, seed catalog companies, and garden design are also truly captivating.

They provide valuable knowledge and inspiration for anyone with a passion for gardening and plants.

Overall, despite its age, this book still has much to offer and is well worth the read.

"Second Nature" is Michael Pollan's first book, and it is also the last one among all his works that I have read so far.

It is a book in which the author attempts to understand more deeply his connection to the gardens on his (now former) property in rural Connecticut.

The story begins with his boyhood exposure to and fascination with his grandfather's suburban garden. It then progresses through various stages and culminates in a tour of his own gardens as an adult. Along the way, he discusses the many aspects that we all encounter in our own gardens.

In Pollan's typical style, he delves deep into the simplest of topics, exploring their factual, historical, cultural, and philosophical content. For example, he considers whether to weed or not to weed in an ecologically correct manner. He also examines the class war implications of planting roses and the historical musings of planting a tree. Even the marketing strategies of seed catalog companies are not overlooked.

Pollan helps us see our gardens and landscapes in ways we have never thought of before. By reading this book, we can discover the hidden Versailles that might exist in our own gardens.

I haven't even read Michael Pollan's really famous work. However, I always consider "The Botany of Desire" as one of the cornerstones of my perspective.

I don't know why it took me such a long time to get to "Second Nature". I'm extremely fascinated by humanity's place in the landscape and I really like his style. In his typical style, Pollan presents a contemporary American ethnobotany to these classic garden icons.

Michael Pollan explores various items such as: his father's garden versus his grandfather's garden; roses, their history, modern hybrids, and sexual connotations; trees, their history, role as landscape fixtures, and the act of planting; lawns, their history, maintenance, and wastefulness; seed catalogs and class; wilderness, as constructed by human perceptions; weeds, and why Thoreau was wrong; pests, and how not to get rid of a woodchuck; and green thumbs.

Mr Pollan's extensive elaboration about the sensuality of the roses was overly hetero-focused and rather boring. But otherwise, I adored this lively journey through the American garden with Pollan as the tour guide.

I have a particular preference for the earlier chapters of the book.

The reason for this is that they seemed to set the stage in a more engaging and captivating manner.

The characters were introduced in a way that made me instantly interested in their stories and what was going to happen to them.

The plot was also developing at a steady pace, with enough twists and turns to keep me on the edge of my seat.

Moreover, the writing style in the earlier chapters was more vivid and descriptive, allowing me to really picture the scenes and settings in my mind.

It felt like I was being drawn into the world of the book right from the start.

In contrast, the later chapters seemed to lose some of that initial charm and excitement.

Perhaps it was because the story had become a bit more predictable or the characters had become less developed.

Overall, while I still enjoyed the book as a whole, it was the earlier chapters that really stood out to me and made me eager to keep reading.