This is the second book by Michael Pollan that I've read within a week (the excellent In Defence of Food: The Myth of Nutrition and the Pleasures of Eating: An Eater's Manifesto being the other)
He has the most magical, open mind; the ability to take the everyday and look at it like a true artist - thus forcing the reader to look anew at his/her own everyday.
Here, he looks at four plant species whose development and spread has been closely linked with Homo sapiens - the apple, the tulip, the cannabis plant and the potato, and considers the evolutionary advantage from the plant perspective. The book uncovers history, folk-law, economics, politics and much more.
Pollan delivers much fascinating information and has the lightest and most passionately engaged of writing styles. He is a wonderful raconteur. I read this book with a wider and wider smile, thoroughly delighted and enchanted.
This book reminded me in many ways of
Anatomy of a Rose: The Secret Life of Flowers
by Sharman Apt Russell. Both authors have the ability to be fascinatingly informative whilst simultanously managing charm, entertainment, profound thought and beauty.
Both effortlessly illustrate Blake's:
To see a world in a grain of sand
And A heaven In a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity In the Palm of Your Hand
And eternity in an hour
They are writers who can take the mundane, and open it to deep meaning, philosophical complexity and education
A small factual teaser from the tulip section - the most prized and valuable tulips were those variegated by fine filagrees of crimson patterning upon the primary colour base. But this was caused by the presence of a virus, so over time, plants grown from bulblets broken off from the 'parent' bulb would grow weaker and weaker - so increasing the rarity and fabulous cost of the prized variety. The evolutionary gainer from mans' 'meddling', not the tulip, but the virus, which we disseminated!
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
New children's books bundles!
Book bundles for children's growth and development. Shop now
Frequently bought together
- +
Total Price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Customer reviews
Top reviews from other countries
Lady Fancifull
Desire for beauty, sustenance, and intoxication - a meditation on plants and man,
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 June 2010Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Amazing!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 February 2017Verified Purchase
TommyMthom
This book is very interesting, but does not live ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 October 2015Verified Purchase
lucy
I really loved reading this book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 July 2016Verified Purchase
Martha Blount
... book - thanks for sending another copy - very good service from this seller - thank you
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 October 2015Verified Purchase
