Play Book Tag discussion

The Botany of Desire / Michael Pollan
3.5 stars

In this book, Michael Pollan looks at four different plants – their history and their impact on society (and society's impact on them): apples, tulips, marijuana, and potatoes.

Up until the last chapter (on potatoes), I was going to rate this at only 3 stars, or “ok”. The potato chapter really bumped up the rating for me, as Pollan was comparing a new Monsanto genetically-engineered potato with the usual potatoes he grows in his farm. By far, I thought this was the most interesting chapter. I did also enjoy the chapter on apples and the tidbits I learned about John Chapman (aka Johnny Appleseed). I didn't find the tulips or the marijuana as interesting, but overall, I'm rating this “good” at 3.5 stars.

I loved this book! I think I have read it three times. I thought Pollan was brilliant in how he turned what we think of human manipulation of plant evolution around to show that plants have adapted to and thrived on humans.

It made me take a step back from my homocentric scientific views and appreciate the power of plants.

I read The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals a few years back and loved it. This one seems like a good read. Too bad he didn't touch on growing potatoes on Mars!

Just curious, did you not enjoy the marijuana part because you have no interest in the subject- or because the way it was written? That sounded like the subject that I would be the most curious about of the four!

Haha! Yes, the marijuana does sound like it might be interesting. To be honest, I'm not sure the reason it didn't pull me in as much. Maybe it's just where my head is now? I do wonder if I was to try reading it again later, if the same sections would be the most interesting (or if it would be different).

As you can see, Nicole loved this book. Many other people did, as well - lots of 5 star ratings on this one, so you might want to give it a try, anyway.

The Omnivore's Dilemma remains my favourite of the...3(? I think) I've read by him so far.

Haha! I just finished The Martian a week or two ago, so my mind did go there a few times, as well.

I also loved this book. I think it was even better than The Omnivore's Dilemma. My favorite section was the apples but really all of it was fascinating.