Howdy folks,
Has anyone read the book "The Botany of Desire: A plants-eye view of the
world"" by Micheal Pollen?
I'm reading it right now, and working up a book review of it.
It has an interesting thesis, essentially it looks at the evolution of
plants from the view of the plants. Instead of us 'breeding' plants, it
takes the point of view that plants have trained us for their benifit to
work for them as an adaptive strategy, in the evolutionary battle for niche.
The analysis follows the history of four plants, the apple, tulip,
marijuana, and potato.
I'd be interested if anyone has read this book on their comments.
Anotyher book I'm reviewing at the same time is " The Pepper Trail:
History and Recipes from around the World" . A mixture of recipes, and maps
of pepper migration around the world ( Were we moving them, or did those
crafty peppers lure us into spreading their genes around the world? )
take care,
Steve Coyle
www.austingardencenter.com
Where we are expected to get close to 70 F this weekend. Paper White
Narcissus are blooming their heads off, Carolina Jessamine ( Gelsemium
sempervirens ) with their yellow flowers are popping all over town which is
ussually the big indicator of spring here. My news goddess Maria Bartiroma
on CNBC says the futures are up.
_________________________________________________________________
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hello--
Never posted on the list before=2E Usually just follow interesting threads=
and gather information, but I did read the Botany of Desire and I liked it=
very much. I differ, though, with the stated thesis of the book. I fou=
nd it
to be more about coevolution, how both people and plants have benefited
from cultivation=2E
The apple is a good case in point and Johnny Appleseed a fascinating
character=2E People, the American pioneers in this case, certainly benefit=
ed
from having apples--as a source of cider mainly, but for eating as well=2E=
The apple benefits because people extend its range and also because we
plant a lot of them and the inevitable mutants arise: golden delisious,
granny smith, etc=2E
Thus, I don't think the book is making the point that plants control us,
rather that the relationship between people and plants is mutually
beneficial=2E
Jim Lindstrom
The Oak Forest Apiary
Oak Forest, PA
Original Message:
-----------------
From: Steve Coyle mrsteveherbs@HOTMAIL=2ECOM
Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 08:08:00 -0600
To: OGL@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: Botany of Desire
Howdy folks,
Has anyone read the book "The Botany of Desire: A plants-eye view of the=
world"" by Micheal Pollen?
I'm reading it right now, and working up a book review of it=2E
It has an interesting thesis, essentially it looks at the evolution of
plants from the view of the plants=2E Instead of us 'breeding' plants, it
takes the point of view that plants have trained us for their benifit to
work for them as an adaptive strategy, in the evolutionary battle for nich=
e=2E
The analysis follows the history of four plants, the apple, tulip,
marijuana, and potato=2E
I'd be interested if anyone has read this book on their comments=2E
Anotyher book I'm reviewing at the same time is " The Pepper Trail:
History and Recipes from around the World" =2E A mixture of recipes, and m=
aps
of pepper migration around the world ( Were we moving them, or did those
crafty peppers lure us into spreading their genes around the world? )
take care,
Steve Coyle
www.austingardencenter.com
Where we are expected to get close to 70 F this weekend=2E Paper White
Narcissus are blooming their heads off, Carolina Jessamine ( Gelsemium
sempervirens ) with their yellow flowers are popping all over town which i=
s
ussually the big indicator of spring here=2E My news goddess Maria Bartiro=
ma
on CNBC says the futures are up=2E
_________________________________________________________________
Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*.
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail
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Jim Lindstrom wrote:
> ...I did read the Botany of Desire and I liked it very much. I differ,
though, with the stated thesis of the book. I found it to be more about
coevolution, how both people and plants have benefited
from cultivation.
I, too, read this book and I have to agree completely with Jim's comments.
Although I enjoyed reading it, I didn't feel that Pollan proved his thesis.
Rather, it is as Jim says, that we learn "that the relationship between
people and plants is mutually beneficial."
Pat
