Second Nature: A Gardener's Education

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Second Nature: A Gardener's Education

Editorial Review

In his articles and in best-selling books such as The Botany of Desire, Michael Pollan has established himself as one of our most important and beloved writers on modern man's place in the natural world. A new literary classic, Second Nature has become a manifesto not just for gardeners but for environmentalists everywhere. Chosen by the American Horticultural Society as one of the seventy-five greatest books ever written about gardening, Second Nature captures the rhythms of our everyday engagement with the outdoors in all its glory and exasperation. With chapters ranging from a reconsideration of the Great American Lawn, a dispatch from one man's war with a woodchuck, to an essay about the sexual politics of roses, Pollan has created a passionate and eloquent argument for reconceiving our relationship with nature.

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
• Should be on everyone's to read list.
  As has been the case with all of Michael Pollan's books that I have read, he informs with humor and narrative that at times makes me laugh out loud. My all time favorite, however, is Omnivore's Dilemma. I have changed the way I shop in our local market since reading it. This also is a MUST read.
• More about Michael Pollan than gardens
  That's not entirely fair, but...this is a book of essays, not a natural history or gardening book. It is about Pollan's perceptions of nature and landscape, through the gateway of his garden. He does only enough research to flesh out his musings with historical fact and literary reference - and he is very selective. He leans heavily on Thoreau, and neglects wider scholarship. His essays bog down in pedantic and turgid language (he abuses at least one 5-syllable word per essay). The writing is much like Bill... more info
• Delightful reading
  Michael Pollan's writing is full of metaphors. This book about nature as a human construct was enjoyable to read. I found some parts frustrating because I like the romantic idea of nature even if it is just a human construct. But overall I would recommend this book for a quick read.
• philosopher of gardening
  I loved this book. It is written in the spirit of earth that author obviously is in love with. The book is divided into four seasons: spring summer,fall and winter. Each of the seasons has it's own unique characteristic that follows ancient tradition of preparing soil, sowing,cultivating, weeding, harvesting and winter nothingness.
  However if reader looks for practical advises, he or she will not find it here. It is a wonderfull read for all the nature lovers.

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