A Place of My Own

The Architecture of Daydreams

By: Michael Pollan

Narrated by: Michael Pollan

Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

Michael Pollan’s unmatched ability to draw lines of connection between our everyday experiences - whether eating, gardening, or building - and the natural world has been the basis for the popular success of his many works of nonfiction, including the genre-defining best sellers The Botany of Desire, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and In Defense of Food. With this updated edition of his earlier book, A Place of My Own, listeners can revisit the inspired, intelligent, and often hilarious story of Pollan’s realization of a room of his own—a small, wooden hut, his “shelter for daydreams” — built with his admittedly unhandy hands. Inspired by both Thoreau and Mr. Blandings, A Place of My Own not only works to convey the history and meaning of all human building, it also marks the connections between our bodies, our minds, and the natural world.

©2010 Michael Pollan (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"[A]n inspired meditation on the complex relationship between space, the human body, and the human spirit.” (Francine du Plessix Gray)

well this was a good one

audiobook read by the author (👍👍), this one tells the story of Michael's homemade 'work cabin' or whatever it's deemed: a place to write & such

he employs architects & friends to help him learn the ropes of carpentry, learning & relaying (to us) much in the process

i learned about balloon framing, which was the innovation that led to lower-cost, easy-to-assemble houses w/ more customization

Pollan puts his usual touch into this book, teaching as he goes [a blend of research w/ hands-on]; arriving at a completed structure by the end

t'was his second book, which leaves me w/ 2 or 3 for future discovery [one of my fav. authors here] -- still to go: "Omnivore's Dilemma," "Food Rules," & "Pollan Family Table"

All around a good story

very insightful. the perspective shared of owner vs carpenter vs architect is great. also, great thoughts shared on pursuing your own place or tiny home. cheers

Deep into the emotion of...

I must disclose that I think Michael Pollan is one of our greatest minds. That said, his personal, philosophical story of building this place was everything I could have hoped for. From the designing, siting, essential collaborations to choosing the views, specific woods and other materials all made this fun and self reflective.

Nailed it

Love hearing the author read. Great book, wide variety of subjects explored with a consistent and driving concrete foundation to build from and plenty of unique insights. Well done!

Geeezezzz hammer a nail please

OK this fella thought out the whole thing... for years... with angst... and pain... and sorrow... and tons of time and thought.... He built a garage in the woods to write in???? ... I can not for any money ignore the ignorance of the author of the physical world... but if you have money and time and can make reasonable people take that money to humor you... gee that's the book... and he sells the entire place in a few years... Duh... no DUH.. .what an arrogant poofter... He makes a room the way Jacques Pepin makes a puff pastry... too much thinking...

Fine story, very academic

To begin, I have this book in print. I struggled to finish it, thought the audiobook would be easier. And while it was nice to hear the author's voice, the book is very in-depth, but in a different direction I would have liked.

great listen

Micheal Pollan is a great writer and his performance is nice and easy to listen to. as a carpenter, his story of building his own office is recognizable and funny. as we have all dealt with the things he went through. can't wait to listen to more of his books.

Great

for the person longing to get their hands dirty again. Little long winded at parts, but really great description of what it's like to undertake a "small" but thorough construction project from inkling to end.

Nice job making building process interesting

Would you recommend A Place of My Own to your friends? Why or why not?

I could not universally recommend this book; however, I would definitely recommend it to friends interested in building. Michael is a good writer and packs in a lot of history and evolution of buildings into his personal story. On occasion, I just could not relate to Michael's experience because his portrayal of himself as an average guy didn't ring true. Most average guys cannot afford to hire an architect and builder to fulfill their dream of a cabin dedicated to writing on the back of their Connecticut property using special lumber. Michael should be commended for co-bulding along side the contractor but this the tale of a privileged man not a regular Joe.

What does Michael Pollan bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I probably would not have finished the book if I read it myself. Having the author read it, made the long descriptions more palable.

Micheal Pollan makes me want to build a shack in the woods!

The story of Micheal Pollan's writing house's construction ( as this story is in part ) is also a celebration of the incalculable. The things that can't be measured; at least in the normal and worldly ways. These un-metricable ( if you will excuse a made up term ) things can be the satisfaction of learning the use of a chisel,or to be more correct, the feeling of accomplishment that the learned use can bring. It can also be the age old war that rages ( cold and hot ) between builders and designers ( and perhaps the bridging of the gap between them ). Pollan lays these things bare, in a friendly and warm light, his mild and intriguing voice propelling you through dialog and situation that may be thick and academic at once and earthy at another. I would recommend this fine novel to anyone , and I owe my own reading ( well, listening ) of it to another fine novel by Nick Offerman ( " Gumption" by name ) lest I had listened to it, I would never had heard of Michael Pollan . Two thumbs up for " A Place of My Own"! Well done sir!