"This book re-inspired me to eat potatoes"
Absolutely, and bought it for my brother for his birthday. It has a rare combination of poetry in the writing even though the book is nonfiction and you learn a lot about the history of agriculture and what's actually happening with the apples and potatoes that end up on our plates. It's sort of a political topic, but he manages to make the book incredibly entertaining and gorgeous to listen to. The Omnivore's Dilemma is one of my favourite books, and this one did not disappoint from my high standards of Michael Pollan.
The long list of local names for apples--hilarious, sweet, gorgeous, and evocative.
I think a good narrator is almost one you don't notice--his performance wasn't distracting from the story at all, so I think he really embodied it.
No, but it did re-ignite my desire to eat potatoes, which I'd always thought of as kind of a boring vegetable. I didn't know how nutritious they are, and their political stance as having rescued the Irish from persecution (until monoculture ruined everything of course) gives them street cred.
I think you'd like this book whether you are a fiction or a non-fiction lover. Pollan really knows how to bridge the gap.
"I'm not a botanist. But I loved this."
I have listened to it twice. It is a wealth of information told in an interesting way.
For a book about plants, he makes it seem like a beautiful fairy tail. He makes the words interesting and adds humor that is believable.
Some of the history is amazing, however it was the authors tail of the cop and the marajuna behind the shed that had me rolling with laughter. I have actually told that story to many friends and all have found it just as hysterical. .
The first little bit may seem tedious. But every new story kept me interested. I listened to it when I went for walks and found myself enjoying nature even more because of it.
"When I grow up I want to write like this"
The combination of biology and the humanities in such clear, beautiful prose. Pollan breathes life into the subject
"Really????"
What looked like an interesting book turned out to be a scare-mongering blast on "frankenfoods" and an exploration of the merits of cannabis. I was glad when the book was done!
"Fun with genetics"
This book did a great job of showing how we as humans affect our plants' genetics, with or without modern biotechnology. I especially liked the handling of the apple, such a common food item. Little did I know how little I understood about the apple and its history.
The reader does not need a background in science for this book.
"Interesting Read"
We (3 of our family of 4) enjoy books that address non-fiction topics and this book did not disappoint. It is the first Michael Pollan book I have read, but if it had not been designated as one of my book club reads, I would have avoided it due to the narrator. I dislike Scott Brick and, unfortunately, he is a prolific narrator. However, on this book, I found that I could overlook Mr. Brick's whiney nasal tone because of the quality of the writing. Michael Pollan presents the idea that plants, he uses 4 examples, have evolved desirable traits especially for humans for the purpose of increasing the plants chances of survival. Though I was not convinced that plants are in control of us, I did earn some great historical facts. As a gardener myself, I found the author's personal gardening experiences especial appealing.
"Food for thought"
In 4 separate stories, this book looks at the way mankind has influenced the evolution and global distribution of specific plants (apples, tulips, potatoes and marijuana). This leads the author to question who is actually using who.
I found the stories interesting and fun.
The narrator's voice is somewhat nasal, which annoyed me a little bit, but not such that it marred by enjoyment of the book.
"A very niche orientated type of story"
I did enjoy listening to this book. It made me think to apply different scientific theorems in ways that I haven't.
The most interesting aspect was the formulations about co-evolution of the specific plants.
No character, a non-fiction book.
Yes, but a scientific or botanical leaning or preference is needed.
"The Botany of Desire"
Michael Pollan, yes. Scott Brick, no.
n/a
no
yes
Definitely I would buy another Micheal Pollan book. Although Scott Brick did his best, he just didn't read it as I want it read. No humor. A nasal tone to his voice. Too bad.
I had read the book and remember laughing out loud at Micheal's brush with the law in the marijuana segment. I was looking forward to hearing it read. Somehow even that didn't come off, with Mr. Brick. It fell flat.
"Highly recommended"
Much non-fiction entertainment for your dollar here.
Cutting-edge at times.
Some new concepts.
Tons of new info.
This author especially recognizes when something is important.
Finds the important, as we all should.
Glad I selected it.