Comments on: Book review: Second Nature by Michael Pollan

By: Caroline S

Caroline S — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 19:07:30 +0000

I am currently working on a project for school on Second Nature in which I have to report the messages from the book. I am having trouble with this, so if anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated!

By: Crafty green poet

Crafty green poet — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 13:38:33 +0000

I’m just posting a mini review of this book on my blog, it’s such an excellent book. I’ll link to this post in mine, cos I think you’ve written a really good review here!

By: Andrea Bellamy

Andrea Bellamy — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:07:08 +0000

Daisy – yeah, I can see how your dogs might not appreciate that!

Commonweeder – I can see what you’re trying to get at. In your review, however, you say, “He makes very sweeping statements about groups of people that I just don’t buy. For instance, “Like most Americans out-of-doors, I was a child of Thoreau.” He may be a child of Thoreau, and I love Thoreau myself (Simplify! Simplify! Simplify!) but I don’t think ‘most Americans’ think a lot about Thoreau outdoors, or in.” I agree that very few people think about Thoreau, but it’s more about his influence on our collective psyche – his philosophies have been morphed into ours. I think that applies to the lawn thing too.

Dee – yeah, I know what you mean. The memoir part isn’t as strong as the chapters that could have stood alone as essays… I did enjoy the memoirs, too, however, perhaps because I’m not all that experienced as a gardener – and not at all experienced in dealing with a large property. I could also relate to having noble intentions crushed!

By: Dee/reddirtramblings

Dee/reddirtramblings — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:25:01 +0000

I thought some of it was good. I liked the part about the history of trees, but the beginning wasn’t that great. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much.~~Dee

By: commonweeder

commonweeder — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:38:31 +0000

My full review is on my blog, but I have to say that although I have enjoyed some of Pollan’s other books, especially The Botany of Desire, I found his sweeping generalizations and judgements in this book annoying.

By: Daisy

Daisy — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:36:36 +0000

I skipped to the musings on compost, but I’m going to have to go through the entire thing now. I like the excerpt on lawns and totalitarianism… inspiring isn’t it? I’m currently dreaming of ways I can rip up all my lawn and never start the mower again. My dogs might revolt, but I hate that mower… and want something much more interesting than the expansive monoculture…

By: Andrea Bellamy

Andrea Bellamy — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 17:17:22 +0000

Ricki – Des does have a way with words, doesn’t he? I haven’t read Crazy about Gardening, but I read The Garden Club, which, in your words, had me “giggling to myself”.

Kate – oh, I’m so glad! Definitely keep us posted on how it goes… I’d love to try the Bokashi thing myself.

Lore – another book to add to my list. There seems to be no shortage of great gardening books. I agree – Pollan has a terrific approach to the land he stewards. This book made a lasting impression!

Banno – do. I highly recommend it!

By: Banno

Banno — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:14:50 +0000

Sounds like a good read. Have just acquired a garden, and the debate between naturalist and developer sounds interesting.

By: Lori W.

Lori W. — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:11:02 +0000

Michael Pollen is one of my favorite writers and if you liked this book you should read “Cultivating Delight: A Natural History of My Garden” by Diane Ackerman. It takes you on a journey of her garden through the seasons and she is inspiring.

I enjoy Pollen’s view of acknowledging the history of the site he gardens on, rather than trying to create a garden as if no other gardener had worked the land before him. I think that’s an important part of ecology–the cultural aspect. We all bring the seeds of our culture and history with us when we garden–it’s part of the process of diaspora. We need to acknowledge the human as part of natural evolution. At the same time, he has made the point that we nurture ourselves by taking from the land and we need to acknowledge that process and deal with it. It’s part of the omnivore’s dilemma.

By: kate

kate — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:04:51 +0000

Just wanted to let you know that I ordered a Bokashi bin and Al told me he has met you. I’ve taken to worm composting and decided to try the Bokashi bin as well. It’ll be interesting to see the two side by side. I haven’t blogged much because I’m reading everything I can get my hands on about earthworms.

I hope all’s well – reading while breastfeeding was perfect. I always had a stack of books beside me and remember listening to the weather network (for some odd reason).

Good luck!!