The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-eye View of the World

Mark Anderson reviewed The Botany of Desire - A Plant's-Eye View of the World by Michael Pollan

Review of "The Botany of Desire - A Plant's-Eye View of the World" on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

In a kind of a meandering, relaxed writing style, [a: Michael Pollan|2121|Michael Pollan|http://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1366396171p2/2121.jpg] tells the tale of apples, tulips, cannabis, and potatoes and their co-evolution with human desire. Although I agree somewhat with his premise---that plants also influence human desires, not just vice versa---I never found that he fully developed a convincing proof of it. Rather, he just gently threads a tangential narrative about his subjects, as if he were having a conversation with you in his study while looking out the window at his garden. I did enjoy most of it, however, especially the Johnny Appleseed information, though at times I didn't find his narrative especially compelling.
His sections on marijuana and the Monsanto NewLeaf potato reveal that he starts his narrative excursions from the standpoint of moderate conservatism, and he usually ends up slightly on the other side, though still keeping it centrist.
I think he could definitely …

Talon2Claw reviewed The Botany of Desire - A Plant's-Eye View of the World by Michael Pollan

4 stars

When I checked this audio book out of the library, I wasn't sure how interested I was in the book. I was just looking for anything science related. But once I started listening to it, I was hooked. It meanders a bit, and there is certainly a heavy amount of opinion from the author. But it explores interesting ideas and presents some history of apples, potatoes, tulips, and marijuana. As someone who never did much gardening, it is fascinating to ponder the implications of the domestication of plants.