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The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World
 
 
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The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World (Paperback)

by Michael Pollan (Author) "If you happened to find yourself on the banks of the Ohio River on a particular afternoon in the springs of 1806-somewhere just to the..." (more)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
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Product Description

From Amazon.co.uk

Working in his garden one day, The Botany of Desire author Michael Pollan hit pay dirt in the form of an idea: do plants, he wondered, use humans as much as we use them? While the question is not entirely original, the way Pollan examines this complex coevolution by looking at the natural world from the perspective of plants is unique. The result is a fascinating and engaging look at the true nature of domestication.

In making his point, Pollan focuses on the relationship between humans and four specific plants: apples, tulips, marijuana and potatoes. He uses the history of John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed) to illustrate how both the apple's sweetness and its role in the production of alcoholic cider made it appealing to settlers moving west, thus greatly expanding the plant's range. He also explains how human manipulation of the plant has weakened it, so that "modern apples require more pesticide than any other food crop". The tulipomania of 17th-century Holland is a backdrop for his examination of the role the tulip's beauty played in wildly influencing human behaviour to both the benefit and detriment of the plant (the markings that made the tulip so attractive to the Dutch were actually caused by a virus).

His excellent discussion of the potato combines a history of the plant with a prime example of how biotechnology is changing our relationship to nature. As part of his research, Pollan visited the Monsanto company headquarters and planted some of their NewLeaf brand potatoes in his garden--seeds that had been genetically engineered to produce their own insecticide. Though they worked as advertised, he made some startling discoveries, primarily that the NewLeaf plants themselves are registered as a pesticide by the EPA and that federal law prohibits anyone from reaping more than one crop per seed packet. And in a interesting aside, he explains how a global desire for consistently perfect French fries contributes to both damaging monoculture and the genetic engineering necessary to support it.

Pollan has read widely on the subject and elegantly combines literary, historical, philosophical, and scientific references with engaging anecdotes, giving readers much to ponder while weeding their gardens. --Shawn Carkonen, Amazon.com --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.



From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. On the sixth anniversary of its original publication, Pollan's scientific twist on the human/plant symbiosis makes its audio debut. Pollan preaches a unique sort of romantic environmentalism where humans and plants satisfy each other's desires for survival, enjoyment, satisfaction and escape. He uses the apple, tulip, Cannabis and potato to develop his ideas, offering the histories of each and how they developed reciprocal relationships with the humans with whom each interacted. Scott Brick exudes excitement and breathes life into the recording—the timbre of his voice offering just the right touch of humor and depth. Listeners will feel like Brick truly loves the book and loves reading it aloud. It's a great combination for listeners: interesting subject, great writing and wonderful reading. Definitely not to be missed. (Reviews, Apr. 9, 2001)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
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Inside This Book (Learn More)
First Sentence
If you happened to find yourself on the banks of the Ohio River on a particular afternoon in the springs of 1806-somewhere just to the north of Wheeling, West Virginia, say-you would probably have noticed a strange makeshift craft drifting lazily down the river. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

95 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (95 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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5.0 out of 5 stars Evolution and Biodiversity, Sep 15 2007
By Thomas M. Quine "Information Designer" (Vancouver, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-eye View of the World (Paperback)
Listened to the audio version, I recommend this very highly if you are interested in issues such as evolutionary theory, genetic engineering and genetically modified food, biodiversity, and even the fascinating true story of Johnny Appleseed.

Pollan has some interesting insights about a popular concept in evolution, psychology, and even religious studies - the idea of intentionality. Yes, we have through artificial selection modified species such as the potato and the tulip, but has the apple, for instance, modified us to advance its own survival as a species? And if so, can we say it did so with intentionality? And if not, can we say that homo sapiens modified the apple with intentionality?

Well-written and easy to read and listen to, and I'm kinda fussy - I say buy it...
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4.0 out of 5 stars How passionate are you about plants?, Jul 14 2004
By Glen Gillmore (Petaluma, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Pollan's book was pleasurable and engaging to read. It is a book that got me to think and expanded my perspective. It places our relationship with plants in specific contexts, with a unique hybrid of sociological and genetic prose. Recommended highly for those passionate about gardening, nature, or food.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Nature and Culture from a Gardener's Perspective, Jun 15 2004
By Anne Holcomb "biblio_tech" (Kalamazoo, MI, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
While you probably wouldn't want to use "The Botany of Desire" for scientific research purposes, this excellent nonfiction book effectively combines elements of science with those of history, cultural theory and mythology (from the early Greek to the Frontier American varieties). The tone is casual, not scholarly. Pollan is also a gardener, and his passion for growing things and his curiosity about life from the plant's-eye view shines through his text.
"The Botany of Desire" is a nonfiction book with an innovative structure: instead of telling a straight chronological story of the domestication of plants, Pollan instead selects four plants and tells each of their stories in turn, describing how their progress through the world has been shaped by human desires -- and the changes in those desires through history.
This book is also a travelogue of sorts: Pollan journeys through the Midwest in search of Johnny Appleseed's true life story, to Holland for the Cannabis Cup and the historical sites of "tulipomania," and to corporate factory forms to learn about genetic modification of the potato.
Most importantly, Pollan shows us around his own garden and introduces us to the plants that live there. Each of the four historical narratives begins and ends with the plant's history in his own backyard. As a host and a travel guide, Pollan takes on a fascinating journey through time, nature and culture.

I highly recommend this book to plant lovers and gardeners of all varieties, and to those who are interested in the shaping of nature by cultural forces (and vice versa). If this isn't you, it would still probably make a great gift for someone you know.

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 		 Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating page turner
Wildly Enthusiastic Recommend: Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan
This book is really different from your average reading fare. Read more
Published on May 12 2004 by Susie

1.0 out of 5 stars Painful.
I got a library copy, so I'm really glad.

Pollan has the amazing ability to go from Point A to B through the most circuitous route imaginable. Read more

Published on Mar 22 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for those who love plants
Ever wonder what part of the Jonny Appleseed myth was fact or fiction? Or how genetically modified potatoes have changed agriculture in Idaho? Read more
Published on Feb 2 2004 by Nelumbo

1.0 out of 5 stars Too Little Genuine Research & Many Convoluted Conclusions!
This book is a prime example of a little knowledge ending up misleading the author and anyone who reads his writings. Read more
Published on Jan 31 2004 by Joseph J. Janos III

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Ideas, Boring Read
The Botany of Desire presents an innovative way to think about how plants have propagated. The ideas are fresh, but, unfortunately, too few for an entire book. Read more
Published on Nov 17 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Tripped out experience!!
Reading this book is like taking a little journey, and credit for this goes to the wonderful writing style and brilliant sequencing of narratives by the writer. Read more
Published on Oct 28 2003 by Ashwin

5.0 out of 5 stars Botany of Desire is an exploration of the erotic
This is one of the best books I have read. It flows and explores the human nature of beauty. A must have book
Published on Oct 18 2003 by R. Trent

3.0 out of 5 stars Science Lite - Rambling with a few gems
Michael Pollan's The Botony of Desire has both strengths and weakenesses which is why I gave it a score of 3 stars. Read more
Published on Oct 18 2003 by C. B Collins Jr.

5.0 out of 5 stars How Sweet They Are
This book is just really marvelous. I took it on a cruise and it's just the kind of book you want for an occasion like that ... Read more
Published on Aug 13 2003 by Nancy Worcester

1.0 out of 5 stars Anti-botany
In view of the many reviews already out there I need not add much. I read my way through the Apple chapter, which was readable, but quite light on facts (heavy on wordy prose)... Read more
Published on Aug 1 2003 by P. van Rijckevorsel

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