Soil: The incredible story of what keeps the earth, and us, healthy

by Matthew Evans

Soil is the unlikely story of our most maligned resource as swashbuckling hero. A saga of bombs, ice ages and civilisations falling. Of ancient hunger, modern sicknesses and gastronomic delight. It features poison gas, climate collapse and a mind-blowing explanation of how rain is formed.

For too long, we've not only neglected the land beneath us, we've squandered and debased it, by over-clearing, over-grazing and over-ploughing. But if we want our food to nourish us, and to ensure our planet's long-term health, we need to understand how soil works - how it's made, how it's lost, and how it can be repaired.

In this ode to the thin veneer of Earth that gifts us life, commentator and farmer Matthew Evans shows us that what we do in our backyards, on our farms, and what we put on our dinner tables really matters, and can be a source of hope.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Nature, Environment, Audiobook, Gardening, Sustainability

288 pages, Paperback

Published July 2, 2021

Reviews

[Gemma Chilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring/important read for anyone who cares about where their food comes from and the future of our planet (which should really be everyone). Delves into some fascinating science whilst remaining easy to read.

[Alexx Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book by Matthew Evans. In a time where we all seem quite polarized on the food debates of what to eat for health, for climate, what the future of food is, something we'd do well to learn more about is the history of agriculture as it pertains to the health and destruction of the health of soil, as well as what magic can be found beneath our feet and how getting to know it better will be one of the best ways to unify us all, regardless of our food beliefs. No soil, no life. I recommend it very much.

[Elentarri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an adequate, non-technical, introductory book that provides a broad overview about the various topics related to soil, farming and food production, that assumes the reader knows nothing about the topic. The chapters are short, unevenly written and somewhat disjointed. The text is chirpy, upbeat and simple to read, dense with myriad little factoids and statistics, but short on actual narrative and more technical information. A book about an interesting and important subject that I wish had been better written with more detail.

[Elsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me even more hyped on my home garden, and hatching plans to try and do my bit for the planet through gardening. It also made me a little uncomfortable with a few mentions of autism early on. Probably could have gone without autism as an example of negative side effects of contaminated soil. Aside from that, great if you wanna learn more generally about how amazing soil is

[Philip Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the most important books you'll ever read. We all know about climate change and its impacts, but do you know the world only has up to 60 years of topsoil left before it is all gone? That is 60 more harvests. That's to say that my 3 year old son may live in a world where there is no top soil left to grow his food. If that doesn't give me a call to action I'm not sure what will.

Don't let the title of the book fool you, this book is much more than just about soil. It's about the current practices of food production and how they are grossly unsustainable. But it's not all doom and gloom, there is a way to regenerate our earth that we have badly mistreated, but we must act now. READ THIS BOOK.

[Lachlan Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect book for dirt lovers and microbial enthusiasts. Thank you Matthew for the soil seminar.

[Philippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best and most inspiring books I've read all year. There's quite a bit in there that I know already, but the author's highly engaging style makes it a pleasure to read; he imparts knowledge enthusiastically yet humbly.
There's so much that's truly amazing about soil - did you know that soil bacteria play a role in the formation of rain?! And have you heard of glomalin, a mysterious substance created by soil fungi, and which holds about a third to a quarter of the world's soil carbon? Let's help create more of it, so we can sink more carbon into the soil! How? It's only formed in healthy soils - such as in organic farms and in the wilderness.
Informative, inspiring, and hopeful.

[Jasmine's · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think this is an overlooked subject and it needs alot more attention 🤔 this is a must read for environmentalists and anyone who cares about the state of our planet.

[Alex Gravina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very accessible book on soil science. I would've liked a bit less philosophy and a bit more about the research that has or hasn't happened.

The book was at its best when it was introducing concepts that are yet to be researched thoroughly.

[Jackson Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content itself is super interesting, but I've definely read more engaging science communicators.

[Gijs Limonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4 stars; very informative, well researched and a pleasant listen on Audible; only downside seems to be the narrative style; the subject asks for more than just a scientific angle; lots of history, the meaning-laden relationship of soil with humanity could have been part of this fascinating story to make it 5 stars; for this latter part be sure to check out the magisterial Underland: A Deep Time Journey.

[Maria Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting read, so much information, l will have to re-read this one as there was so much to take in. The science and research that is discussed in this book is amazing. It will certainly encourage people to take better care of the earth, even if it starts with the average backyard gardner, it is a start to look after this beautiful earth that we have been given.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really engaging and super interesting. Really well balanced comedy and analogies to stop the science getting too dry but really thorough. Expertly blending global issues and local back garden so that everything felt very relevant. Heavily focused on agricultural use of soil whilst exploring the history and current context and the science behind it. Highly recommend! Listened to the audio book which was narrated by the author.

[SS]

DNF
Audiobook read by author
Read 26%
Negative Nancy is the first 26% based on anecdotal or cherry picked research. Probably all based on truth but isn't well written and completely comes from a biased perspective.
If you're going to tackle a scientific area or reference science as the basis of your argument approach the topic in a more scientific perspective and approach, is my perspective.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was a really really interesting book and I definitely got more invested the more I listened to it. Some really fascinating information on the importance of soil, where we have gone wrong with it, effective farming/composting and changing the way we do things for both our food and our planet.

I did feel like some of the stuff is hard to feel like you can have any impact on unless you own land or have some kind of power over how land runs, but I hope this kind of information gets more traction when considering sustainable practices.

Loved listening to the parts about greenhouse emissions and methanotrophs (so cool!!) and how grazing animals are also important in stimulating soil activity. I would love to look into more of this to get a better understanding of it all (I will say, ethically I didn’t love how the idea of lab-grown meat was shut down - we could have grazing animals for soil, without having to slaughter them for food as a primary purpose of their existence?).

All in all though, a really interesting read - I think I will come back to it at some point to re-listen to multiple parts again and absorb more of it.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic work from Matthew Evans. Every single publication of his that I have read I have devoured and learnt, lots. Most of which is wildly mind blowing and conversely leads me to the question: should it be? Why do we not pay more heed to the basics? Especially when it affects us all.
This book is both educational and a joy to read for anyone that cares about what we eat, where it comes from and the basis of our general health; as humans and inhabitants of the world.
I initially picked it out as we are planning the starting phases of our own kitchen and native gardens and I now feel better equipped for both; with experiments to carry out, tools to set forth and a plethora of further reading to consume.
As always, his writing is thoughtful, practical, pragmatic, and inclusive for all; providing environmental future proofing plans encompassing a wide scope from farmers to urbanites.
Definitely read if you live, eat and breathe on planet Earth.

[Demi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very important message, easy to read and making scientific information accessible. At first the casual conversational writing style didn’t sit well with me but I enjoyed the quirky endings to paragraphs once getting into it.

I also loved the fact that it was Australian orientated. Very few of my natural science non-fiction books are based on the Australian experience.

Goes into so many different disciplines. Farming, diet, health, microbiology, climate science, on and on! Also the tips at the ends of chapters on how to apply some of the lessons in your own backyard made it feel like action was possible. An uplifting book despite the very real catastrophe it sheds light on.

Would push this book into the face of every one of my friends.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fascinating book, one that I'll definitely re-read at some point. It was definitely eye opening to dive into the world of soil, looking at how this integral ecosystem actually works and overturning some of the misconceptions about it, as well as the current environmental impact of human life on our precious soil. The audiobook was also great, the author had an excellent style - very enjoyable to listen to.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great information. Some I already knew, but some I did not. This reminded me why it is best to eat a diet comprised mostly or organic vegetables, and just the occasional animal product. The only thing that kept this from getting the full five stars was that every chapter wrapped up with a summation that made it seem like it was the end of the book and felt a bit preachy.

[T P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much to fascinate and inspire in this intro into soil. I’ve learned tonnes, and it’s definitely given me a keenness to live better and learn more. Yet the book has a disaster/solution frame, which in itself isn’t a bad thing, but the trouble is that he promises his solution near the very end of the book, and it feels forced and fails to land. That said, I’d definitely recommend folks take up and read.

[Jos Minnaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing, it has sparked an even bigger interest and passion for growing food and growing soil. An eyeopener to the big world below our feet that does so much more for us than I ever could have guessed

[Ebony Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well researched, so much accessible science and entertaining:)

[KJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time to get hands dirty

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, and certainly an important read, but to me it often felt like too many sound bytes, not enough science.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book everyone should read

[Chloe Paton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up basically by accident when my library app suggested I might like it, and I very much did. Was well timed as I listened to most of the audiobook while out in the garden getting myself ready for spring.

Lots of interesting data on why I should go out and get some more natural compost/fertiliser rather than relying on the synthetic stuff, which I think we all know but it was nice to have the reminder. I think some of this also linked well into Wilding that I read last year and looking at everything as more of an ecosystem.

TL;DR this man loves soil

[Barbsss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a thought provoking book, I’m now ready to throw seeds out and about to promote diversity in my garden. Well worth reading if you have an interest on our natural world.

[Tara L. Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

We need a return to reverence for the soil that nourishes us. More humility and respect in order to see how little we actually understand about soil science, even today. Evans dives into the science without getting dry. We are at a dire point in what's left of growable soil (shockingly little) but there is hope which he ends the book on with the advancements of people all over the world.

Gripe: chapter 3 he drops the alarmist "autism!" that so many non-neuroscientists and non-neurodiverse people latch onto as a call-to-action to illustrate urgency. It's BS and a terrible detriment to the autistic community. I'm so tired of it. I set the book aside for a week in order to come back with a cool head because the book otherwise is packed full of great information.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

SUMMARY - Soil is living to a truly incredible extent. The book will take you to alpha centuri and back (on the back of tiny worms), but just mind the conflict-of-interest bleating in defence of animal farming.

A wonderful book - up to a point. There is plentiful science in this book that is made accessible to a lay reader (like me), and which makes the case for living soil. The weight of evidence is often sobering, but the embedded historical lessons especially on the enhanced biodiversity and richness of the dark earths associated with faming civilisation is also inspiring.

My issue is perhaps partly tribal, as a vegetarian (leaning vegan) who is trying to eat fewer animal products Evans is a livestock farmer and his skewering of plant-based diets towards the end seemed at least partly partisan. That another scientific author extrapolated overly-grandiose claims for the impact of plant based diets vis-a-vis other causes (transport, fossil fuels etc...) is admissible. That this misstep can be used to downgrade the case for plant-based diets seems to purposefully avoid a larger body of evidence on ecological degredation caused by husbanded ruminants of the sort Evans himself farms. It felt a bit rich that he jibed at Monbiot on factory-based proteins while not himself taking on board Monbiot's environmental case against sheepwrecking of our landscapes.

Overall, though, this was as I say a wonderful book. I would encourage anyone to read it who wants to know more about the rootedness of our foot in the earth beneath our feet.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five stars for popularising the topic, but the narrative cohesion could have been improved. I felt the book lost traction halfway, but ended very well when Matthew Evans finally got practical.

Highlights:

The "4 per 1000" initiative launched by France in 2015 was new to me: the idea that "An annual growth rate of 0.4% in the soil carbon stocks, or 4‰ per year, in the first 30-40 cm of soil, would significantly reduce the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere related to human activities." Matthew Evans goes further, stating that "virtually the entire global increase in carbon emissions for each year could be offset" via this initiative.

The five principles of regenerative agriculture:

1. Keep the soil covered (no bare earth).
2. Minimise soil disturbance (don't dig).
3. Aim for diversity (in plants and animals).
4. Make sure you have living plants all year round.
5. Integrate livestock.

There is a good index at the back, but if you are looking for the footnotes you won't find them - they are online at https://www.murdochbooks.com.au/brows... These were temporarily unavailable at the time of writing - clearly a poor editorial choice not to print them with the book.