Second Nature: A Gardener's Education

This book already bears what Pollan will bring to perfection in Botany of Desire: cross pollination between science, history, cultural and human sociology, poetry, sheer observation, hands-on experience, tenderness, and humor. A book that enriches, teaches, entertains, and pleases enormously. The unassuming tone of Pollan's voice at every "turn of a page" gently invites the reader to follow the author along his thinking process. And the reader obliges gleefully. A perfect read anytime of year, but probably even more appropriate for the spring.

A brilliant book, and a real treat to have Pollan himself narrate it. It's about gardening, yes, but also about Nature and our place in her. Laugh out loud funny in spots (who knew that an in-depth discussion of seed catalogues could be so hilarious?) Second Nature is a book that has the ability to challenge assumptions and cause us to look at our environment(s) in new ways. Definitely not just for gardeners!

I love Michael Pollan's books The Omnivore's Dilemma, and the Botany of Desire. Sweeping history or cultural commentary, a real understanding of humanity's relation to food and plants. However, this book is about his experience of growing a garden - it's more autobiographical. More slow and meditative than sweeping. If you like that kind of thing, he's a fabulous writer so you'll enjoy this. It's just not what I expected after reading the other two books.

This book was a joy to listen to. I always enjoy a book that paints a good picture and exercises my imagination. If you enjoy philosophy and in general like to explore different ways of thinking about your life and your surroundings you should enjoy this book. He should continue to read his own books. The narrator of his other books is terrible!

This book is a nice light read, though I have to say from glowing review of American Horticultural Society I was really expecting more. On one hand he states our shared criticism of Thoreau very well, yet in many ways he is writing his own updated version of Walden. There are tidbits of philosophy, history, science and art which make this a fun and encouraging read for a gardener, or someone who wishes to start gardening. On the other hand if you are looking for real philosophy, history, science or art in gardening (or biology/agroscience) you will probably want to pick up another book.

This book made me think about "nature" and our relationship to it as human beings in a whole new way. Pollan presents a humble yet thoughtful idea based on his experience gardening that made me think about the world differently. It's a remarkable book that should be read by gardeners, eaters, and anyone who wants to think about environmental questions.

I enjoyed listening to Michael Pollan read the book, and his tales of growing up, his grandfather and father, moving houses and growing crops were all interesting. What I found extremely dull and only listened to since I'd paid for the audio book (I couldn't skip as easily as a printed one) was the endless philosophy on topics - especially whether or not we *should* garden. If you are into philosophy or gardening as a holistic concept, this may be for you, but it was not for me.

None of my friends, anyway. This is a book more of philosophy than practice. I was looking for someone who had the rich range of experiences in gardening and small farming as I had. I just wasn't very entertained by city boy's philosophical musings.

Oh my god, no.

I'm sure this is an outstanding book for some people. IT just didn't do much for me.