Cross-Pollinations: The Marriage of Science and Poetry

by Gary Paul Nabhan

Cross-Pollinations is a book about dissolving boundaries and blending disciplines to reveal a world rich in possibility, one where unthinkable solutions emerge. Gary Paul Nabhan, an accomplished biologist and writer—and “a voice that speaks to the laity in clear and coherent sentences” ( New York Times )—believes that the free movement between science and literature, between cultivated and wild habitats, and between culture and language engenders the kind of unlikely and seemingly incompatible perceptions that are essential to discovery of any kind. In Cross-Pollinations , he illustrates the successful marriage of science and poetry with true stories about color-blind scientists, the knowledge stored in ancient Native American songs, the link between an Amy Clampitt poem and diabetes research, and a unique collaboration in support of the Ironwood Forest National Monument.

Genres: Poetry, Science, Nonfiction, Nature, Essays

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 6, 2004

About the author

Gary Paul Nabhan is an internationally-celebrated nature writer, seed saver, conservation biologist and sustainable agriculture activist who has been called "the father of the local food movement" by Utne Reader, Mother Earth News, Carleton College and Unity College. Gary is also an orchard-keeper, wild forager and Ecumenical Franciscan brother in his hometown of Patagonia, Arizona near the Mexican border. For his writing and collaborative conservation work, he has been honored with a MacArthur "genius" award, a Southwest Book Award, the John Burroughs Medal for nature writing, the Vavilov Medal, and lifetime achievement awards from the Quivira Coalition and Society for Ethnobiology.

--from the author's website

Reviews

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short, beautiful, urgent read in which Nabhan makes a case for seeing the world differently (one of my favorite chapters is on how his color-blindness, a disability that he lamented in his teenage years, serves as an asset in conservation biology, when he sees camouflaged plants that others don't see because of their color perception) and also for practicing the sciences and the arts simultaneously, an insight so strikingly true that it makes the current policies of most U.S. universities and their STEM obsession seem obviously and damagingly obtuse. For example, in one of the chapters, Nabhan reveals that a poem passed down in one of the indigenous tribes in the desert he studies turned out not merely to be metaphorical but to explain the toxicological effects of a cactus and also the relationship between the neighboring insects and those datura blossoms. Again and again, Nabhan demonstrates that metaphor is a powerful way of apprehending the world and one that brings the natural observations of poetry together with the conclusion-drawing of science. He's an eloquent writer, and he also attests to the joys of creative production on both sides of the disciplinary divide. Additionally, he recognizes the importance of writing and art to communicate the urgency of conservation. One chapter is about using writers to publicize the decimation of ironwood trees for mesquite charcoal in high-end cooking; before the publicity campaign, people thought of scraggly ironwoods as waste trees. Through a collaboration of scientists and writers, the campaign illustrated for a broader audience the centrality of ironwoods to an ecosystem that otherwise the public tended to view as waste.

An insightful and powerful book that celebrates and urges on the necessary collaborations between anthropology, conservation biology, creative writing, public health, and more. This book really made me want to teach a course for freshmen and sophomores on science and literature and their intersections.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

These essays were very interesting; while I've thought of how philosophy could work hand-in-hand with science, I had never considered how science and the arts could work together for change. I'd love to see how dance could be a part of these "cross pollinations"!

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite an interesting exploration of the possibilities of interconnection between poetry and science. I keep trying to bring his insights into my work, but I think Nabhan is smarter than I am :)

[Deborah Bancroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

This small volume is an excellent introduction to the prolifc author and ethnobotanist Gary Paul Nabhan. His literary and scientific work covers a broad range and offers proof that cross-pollination between literature and science promotes conservation.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The preface and final chapter are mainly filler, but I did really enjoy Nabhan's three essays that make up the bulk of this very slim tome--especially the essay about desert plants and diabetes prevalence in indigenous desert-based populations!

[Jerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[BBF · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Nabhan would be a cool guest to have over for a dinner party, so I can hear his stories from the source and eat good food together! Thanks for blending science and poetry into art!

[Hannah Choi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful short read. Science and poetry a true love match

[Sandy D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful little book that should be more widely read by both scientists and literature writers/lovers. It's a really fascinating look at an amazing MacArthur Foundation (genius award) winner's work in the 80's and 90's, with insights on such varied topics as ADD, color-blindness, Native American poetry and hallucinogen use, cactus pollination, mesquite charcoal use in American restaurants, environmentalism, and the sources of creativity.

[Greta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came away from Nabhan's Credo more impressed than ever by the work of this creative writer/scientist. His exploration of the survival of Sonoran cactus and the diabetic dietary needs of the desert long time inhabitants was helpful to the survival of both. Amazing. Love his creative thinking and his writing.

[Heid · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful answer to any writer who must balance creative and critical work. Beautifully poetic, kind and hopeful. One of my favorite authors!

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

good so far! it's making me think. :)

[Emma]

Nabhan is a great writer. This is great book, and is a lovely portrayal of what can happen when science and indigenous culture meet!