The Botany of Desire

A Plant's-Eye View of the World

By: Michael Pollan

Narrated by: Michael Pollan

The book that helped make Michael Pollan, the New York Times bestselling author of Cooked and The Omnivore’s Dilemma, one of the most trusted food experts in America

In 1637, one Dutchman paid as much for a single tulip bulb as the going price of a town house in Amsterdam. Three and a half centuries later, Amsterdam is once again the mecca for people who care passionately about one particular plant—though this time the obsessions revolves around the intoxicating effects of marijuana rather than the visual beauty of the tulip. How could flowers, of all things, become such objects of desire that they can drive men to financial ruin?

In The Botany of Desire, Michael Pollan argues that the answer lies at the heart of the intimately reciprocal relationship between people and plants. In telling the stories of four familiar plant species that are deeply woven into the fabric of our lives, Pollan illustrates how they evolved to satisfy humankinds’s most basic yearnings—and by doing so made themselves indispensable. For, just as we’ve benefited from these plants, the plants, in the grand co-evolutionary scheme that Pollan evokes so brilliantly, have done well by us. The sweetness of apples, for example, induced the early Americans to spread the species, giving the tree a whole new continent in which to blossom. So who is really domesticating whom?

Weaving fascinating anecdotes and accessible science into gorgeous prose, Pollan takes us on an absorbing journey that will change the way we think about our place in nature.

An Admirable Effort

I admire the effort and passion the author put into this book. At times a bit too “didactic” but I learned quiete a few things and it was a pleasant listening of the audio version.

The most enjoyable listen from Michael Pollans titles so far

Well constructed concepts, interesting facts and ideas and excellent narration. Im going on to my next Michael Pollan title directly.

excellent

This is an excellent book to listen to; Michael Pollan reading it makes it that much better! Intriguing storytelling delightfully woven with the author’s amusing thoughts. Not just for plant people!

Great story telling.

I enjoyed this book especially its take on the potato and GMO foods. That knowledge needs to be known for those who eat everyday food.

Interesting look at the human relationship with plants

Interesting listen as I tended to my farm. I like Pollan’s deep dive into the 4 crops and their relationship with humans. A fun look into their history and how while we as humans shaped and manipulated them they did the same to us.