About the book
“Pollan shines a light on our own nature as well as on our implication in the natural world.” —The New York Times
“A wry, informed pastoral.” —The New Yorker
The book that helped make Michael Pollan, the New York Times bestselling author of How to Change Your Mind, Cooked and The Omnivore’s Dilemma, one of the most trusted food experts in America
Every schoolchild learns about the mutually beneficial dance of honeybees and flowers: The bee collects nectar and pollen to make honey and, in the process, spreads the flowers’ genes far and wide. In The Botany of Desire, Michael Pollan ingeniously demonstrates how people and domesticated plants have formed a similarly reciprocal relationship. He masterfully links four fundamental human desires—sweetness, beauty, intoxication, and control—with the plants that satisfy them: the apple, the tulip, marijuana, and the potato. In telling the stories of four familiar species, Pollan illustrates how the plants have evolved to satisfy humankind’s most basic yearnings. And just as we’ve benefited from these plants, we have also done well by them. So who is really domesticating whom?
Editions of The Botany of Desire
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780375501296
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780375760396
- EBook
- ISBN 9781588360083
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780593676653
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780593676660
Read an Excerpt
“Pollan shines a light on our own nature as well as on our implication in the natural world.” —The New York Times
“A wry, informed pastoral.” —The New Yorker
The book that helped make Michael Pollan, the New York Times bestselling author of How to Change Your Mind, Cooked and The Omnivore’s Dilemma, one of the most trusted food experts in America
Every schoolchild learns about the mutually beneficial dance of honeybees and flowers: The bee collects nectar and pollen to make honey and, in the process, spreads the flowers’ genes far and wide. In The Botany of Desire, Michael Pollan ingeniously demonstrates how people and domesticated plants have formed a similarly reciprocal relationship. He masterfully links four fundamental human desires—sweetness, beauty, intoxication, and control—with the plants that satisfy them: the apple, the tulip, marijuana, and the potato. In telling the stories of four familiar species, Pollan illustrates how the plants have evolved to satisfy humankind’s most basic yearnings. And just as we’ve benefited from these plants, we have also done well by them. So who is really domesticating whom?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Botany of Desire about?
“Pollan shines a light on our own nature as well as on our implication in the natural world.” —The New York Times
“A wry, informed pastoral.” —The New Yorker
The book that helped make Michael Pollan, the New York Times bestselling author of How to Change Your Mind, Cooked and The Omnivore’s Dilemma, one of the most trusted food experts in America
Every schoolchild learns about the mutually beneficial dance of honeybees and flowers: The bee collects nectar and pollen to make honey and, in the process, spreads the flowers’ genes far and wide. In The Botany of Desire, Michael Pollan ingeniously demonstrates how people and domesticated plants have formed a similarly reciprocal relationship. He masterfully links four fundamental human desires—sweetness, beauty, intoxication, and control—with the plants that satisfy them: the apple, the tulip, marijuana, and the potato. In telling the stories of four familiar species, Pollan illustrates how the plants have evolved to satisfy humankind’s most basic yearnings. And just as we’ve benefited from these plants, we have also done well by them. So who is really domesticating whom?
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Botany of Desire?
Lifestyle, Hobbies and Leisure > Nature and the natural world: general interest > Trees, wildflowers and plants: general interest
Where can I read a sample of The Botany of Desire?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780375501296
Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Botany of Desire?
Michael Pollan
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
The Botany of Desire is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780375501296) and paperback(ISBN 9780375760396) and ebook(ISBN 9781588360083) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593676653) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780593676660)
Where can I buy The Botany of Desire online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy The Botany of Desire from below
Where can I buy The Botany of Desire?