Michael Pollan is renowned for his classic writing that delves deep into the realms of nature and gardens. His works offer a profound exploration of the beauty, complexity, and significance of these natural and cultivated landscapes.

Whether you have a passionate love for the outdoors or a keen interest in the art and science of gardening, Pollan's writing is sure to be thoroughly enjoyable. He has a remarkable ability to bring these topics to life, using vivid descriptions and engaging narratives that draw the reader in and keep them captivated from start to finish.

Pollan's writing not only provides entertainment but also offers valuable insights and perspectives on the importance of nature and gardens in our lives. His works encourage us to look at these familiar landscapes in new and different ways, and to appreciate the many benefits that they offer.

Overall, Michael Pollan's writing on nature and gardens is a must-read for anyone who has an appreciation for the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

The article presented a diverse range of aspects.

There were certain parts that truly made one stop and think, provoking deep contemplation. These thought-provoking sections had the power to make readers reflect on various concepts and ideas related to the subject matter.

On the other hand, there were also parts that were downright funny, bringing a smile to the reader's face and adding an element of lightheartedness to the overall experience.

However, there were some parts that were simply beyond my personal appreciation. Maybe it was due to my own preferences or lack of understanding in certain areas.

Nonetheless, for home owners, gardeners, and landscapers (and let's not forget that your own yard definitely counts), this article is a worthy read. It offers valuable insights, useful tips, and interesting perspectives that can enhance one's knowledge and understanding in these respective fields.

Whether you're looking to improve your home's exterior, tend to your garden, or undertake landscaping projects, this article has something to offer.

It's a comprehensive piece that covers a wide range of topics and is sure to engage and inform readers from all walks of life.

So, if you fall into any of these categories, I highly recommend giving this article a read. You might just be surprised by what you discover.

This was such a relaxing read.

Perhaps I am the only one who thinks that reading about gardening while also enjoying a social commentary on revenues and snippets of history makes for an outstanding read, but it truly was.

The prose was simply delightful. It often reminded me of Bill Bryson's style of veering off topic yet still remaining on topic.

His ability to seamlessly blend different elements and keep the reader engaged is truly remarkable.

I found myself completely immersed in the book, eager to learn more about both the gardening aspects and the additional insights provided.

This unique combination of subjects creates a reading experience that is both informative and entertaining.

Whether you have an interest in gardening or not, I highly recommend this book.

It offers a fresh perspective and a wealth of knowledge that is sure to captivate and inspire.

So, pick up a copy and prepare to be pleasantly surprised.

Most of the content in this book is no longer novel to me at present,

so I didn't manage to complete it.

If you are a beginner in gardening, it serves as a good fundamental primer.

Conversely, if you have been engaged in it for some time, you are already acquainted with the information within.

It is one of Pollan's initial books,

foreshadowing the great works that are yet to come.

Pollan has always had a unique perspective and writing style when it comes to topics related to nature and gardening.

This book, although perhaps not as comprehensive or advanced as some of his later works,

still contains valuable insights and knowledge for those who are just starting out in the world of gardening.

It provides a solid foundation upon which readers can build their own gardening skills and understanding.

Overall, while it may not be a must-read for experienced gardeners,

it is definitely worth considering for those who are new to the hobby.

Michael Pollan has a writing style that can be likened to the way some individuals enjoy the sound of their own voices.

As I delved into this book, it became marginally more tolerable once I discovered that it was penned 30 years ago.

All the currently well-established concepts about which I couldn't fathom his expressing ambivalence started to make more sense when I realized they were germinating in his mind during the late '80s.

Moreover, for some inexplicable reason, I simply cannot envision a young Pollan. In my mind's eye, he is always an older figure.

To be honest, I'm rather surprised that I managed to finish this book, but here we are.

From this read, I was able to extract precisely three useful snippets of information.

Overall, while the book had its flaws, it did offer a few nuggets of value.

Perhaps it was the passage of time that gave me a different perspective on Pollan's ideas and writing.

Nonetheless, it was an experience that made me think and reflect on various aspects of the subject matter.

I begin any Michael Pollan book with the anticipation of a solid four-star read. The breadth of his scholarship, wit, modesty, and curiosity is an absolute delight. Even when I find myself disagreeing with his conclusions.

In my personal experience, gardening has a profound impact on my thinking, more so than other menial tasks. When I'm shoveling snow, my focus is simply on getting the job done. There's no room for metaphysical musings. However, when I'm pruning tomato plants, my mind is filled with an abundance of metaphors.

In "Second Nature," Pollan takes extensive excursions into the philosophy of various aspects such as compost, seeds, weeds, seasons, lawns, trees, roses, and culture. After listening to the chapter "Weeds Are Us" - which delves into the contrast between culture and nature - my husband exclaimed, "He's on the verge of glory!" Sadly, his chapter on roses seemed a world away from glory. Or perhaps I'm just not seeing its true essence.

Did you know that tumbleweed arrived in America in 1870, having been mixed in with flax seed from the Russian steppes? Or that the sugar snap pea is a creation of the 1980s?

Michael Pollan himself narrates the audio version, and I highly recommend it. I've had the print book sitting on my shelf for years, but I never managed to read more than a paragraph here and there. It was truly fitting and satisfying to be working the rain-soaked ground while listening to his voice.

Regarding the white ash: "Great trees, but self-effacing ones, happy to have other plants grow in their thin, dappled shade, and to supply people with excellent firewood, furniture, baseball bats, and tool handles - including handles for axes, which gives some idea just how accommodating ashes are."

Once again, I find myself deeply enamored with Michael Pollan's impeccably balanced approach to his subject matter.

He has imparted upon me a profound understanding that a gardener is not merely a landscaper or a naturalist. Instead, a gardener is someone who forges a dynamic and poetic connection with that particular "patch" of earth which they affectionately refer to as their "garden."

This realization has truly transformed my perception of gardening.

I am filled with an eager anticipation for spring to arrive so that I can commence the process of planting. Alas, for the time being, I must content myself with the act of planning.

I envision all the beautiful flowers, vibrant vegetables, and lush greenery that will soon grace my garden.

Although I cannot yet put my hands in the soil and bring my vision to life, the planning stage allows me to dream and imagine the possibilities.

It is during this time that I carefully select the seeds, map out the layout, and consider the various elements that will contribute to the overall beauty and functionality of my garden.

As I wait for spring, I am reminded of the patience and anticipation that are inherent in the art of gardening.

Soon enough, the time will come to bring my plans to fruition and watch as my garden blossoms into a haven of natural beauty.

Half personal memoir about gardening, half natural history, this audiobook is truly a captivating and enjoyable experience.

I found myself particularly drawn to the chapter that delved into the rich history of roses. It was fascinating to learn about their evolution and the cultural significance they have held throughout the ages.

In general, I thoroughly enjoyed all the aspects related to natural history and human history. The detailed descriptions and insights provided a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

However, I must admit that I was slightly less interested in the memoir side of things. Nevertheless, it did manage to spark my imagination and got me thinking about how I would design a garden if I were fortunate enough to live in a place that was conducive to large gardens.

Overall, this audiobook offers a unique blend of personal reflection and educational content, making it a worthwhile listen for anyone with an interest in gardening or natural history.

This is an early work from Michael Pollan.

Here, one can observe the nascent ideas and concepts that would later blossom in his subsequent books. In fact, this piece is scarcely a traditional book.

Each chapter reads more like an engaging essay on a diverse range of topics such as lawns, the contrast between natural and geometrical gardens, effective ways of dealing with pests, and the art of planting trees, among others.

Admittedly, it can be a bit wordy at times. However, when presented in audio format, it becomes utterly captivating.

The author's writing and narration are truly remarkable, drawing the listener in and holding their attention throughout.

This book is a kindred spirit to several of Pollan's other works, including The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World, This Is Your Mind on Plants, and Cooked: A Natural History of Transformation.

It is strongly recommended for those interested in Pollan's work or anyone with a passion for nature, gardening, and the intersection of humans and the natural world.

I'd give the first half of this book 5 stars.

It was truly and absolutely delightful.

The author gardened in Connecticut, and it was as if he was penning down all the thoughts that I have regarding gardening.

He did it in a beautiful and at times, a really funny way.

However, the second half of the book got rather boring.

I would only recommend this book for those who are serious gardeners.

Everyone else will likely find the entire thing to be very dull and uninteresting.

The first half had so much charm and appeal, but unfortunately, the second half failed to maintain that same level of excitement.

Still, for those who are passionate about gardening and want to read about someone else's experiences and thoughts in a unique way, this book might be worth a look.

But for the general reader, it may not hold much interest.

I got this after reading The Botany of Desire, which examines the relationship between plants and mankind. In Second Nature, the field of view is much narrower, ranging from the backyard garden to a municipal park. As such, it's a little more "practical" from the perspective of a wannabe homesteader like me.

It's not precisely an instruction manual though. It remains very philosophical, yet is interspersed with some of his own experiences. For example, he discusses how initially, he was reluctant to fence his garden. This led to a discussion of the current and popular ideology that nature is sacred, "knows" best what's good for it and should preferably be left untouched. I'll admit it's close to what I believed and it's definitely a challenge for the gardener. You simply can't allow weeds to overrun and wild animals to roam freely. So while a century ago, nature was seen as chaos that needed to be tamed, he essentially argues for a middle ground: accepting that we can interact with nature and shape it to our needs, but also acknowledging that nature is not always predictable and that one shouldn't attempt to exert complete control over it.

There's also some discussion about aesthetics, particularly regarding the American lawn. That part left me rather uninterested, as I never cared about lawns to begin with. I guess it provides some insight into why people consider their Sunday mowing so important (e.g., for visual harmony in the neighborhood), but I suspect most Americans need more persuasion than I do. Maybe one interesting aspect of that part is when he describes the typical American lawn as something nice to look at. In a sense, that's exactly what most people desire. Gardeners, on the other hand, would rather have it as a pleasant place to be in, interact with, and grow food on.

The last two chapters (themed under "Winter") are the reason why I deducted a star. One is about seed catalogs and he talks about specific catalogs from the US, which is completely irrelevant to me. He seems to read the editorials in those catalogs with great attention (or perhaps it's a US thing, or maybe he truly has nothing to do in winter). I don't understand why I would care about my seed catalog editor-in-chief's opinion on old world roses or whatever else. The only亮点 is comparing himself to the bumble bee going around and "selecting" species for his future garden. Then the last chapter is a tour of his own garden, so not a whole lot is interesting, especially since there are no pictures or drawings. The final mental image he leaves us with, however, is quite nice and summarizes his views fairly well: using his lawnmower, but only to maintain a path through his wild grasses.

4 stars.

This book, which was borrowed from Amazon's Prime Library and published in 1991, is truly remarkable. It serves not only as the author's memoir as a budding gardener but also provides a comprehensive historical overview. It delves into various aspects such as the changing Western views of wilderness. What was once considered wild and untamed is now seen in a different light.

The book also explores the concept of what is "natural." Our understanding of nature has evolved over time, and this is beautifully captured within its pages. Additionally, it touches on environmentalism, garden design, and even the politics of seed catalogs. These are all areas that have had a significant impact on our relationship with the natural world.

Overall, this book is a fascinating read that offers a wealth of knowledge and insights. It is a must-read for anyone interested in gardening, history, or the environment.