The Botany of Desire
Another book that I finished a short while ago but forgot to review.
I’ll cut to the chase: The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan is an incredible book.
For those who don’t know what it’s about, the book traces some of the parallels between plant and human advancement, the idea being that plants use us just as much as we use plants. Sounds really stuffy and dry, doesn’t it? Trust me, this book rocks.
Four human desires are discussed along with their associated plants: sweetness (apples), beauty (tulips), intoxication (marijuana), and control (potatoes). The section about control (potatoes) is probably the most intense as it contrasts organic farming, “monoculture” (such as planting acres of only one thing, like potatoes in Idaho), and genetic modification. It’s interesting, fascinating, and majorly creepy all at the same time.
Anyway, great book, highly recommended, run don’t walk to your bookstore and get a copy. You won’t be disappointed. [5/5]
