More about this book/
check for other copies

A Review by Adrienne Miller

The narrative device: the history of four plants-the apple, the tulip, the potato and cannabis. The story: the symbiotic relationship between humans and plants. The question: Who's the boss of whom here?

This book about the evolutionary dance between humans and plants is so effervescent that it positively sparkles. The Botany of Desire is part memoir ("in my garden right now it is high summer, the middle of July, and the place is so crowded with flowers, is so busy and multifarious, that it feels more like a city street than a quiet corner of the countryside"), and part history lesson. Each of these four rather earthbound plants represents a very human desire (the apple: sweetness, the tulip: beauty, the potato: control, cannabis: intoxication). Plants figured out a long time ago that we want what they have. Who knew how sinisterly smart (evolutionarily speaking) they were? Why, Pollan posits, do we consider flowers beautiful? Because it's in the flower's best interest to keep the humans happy. A lovely book that succeeds in attaining that most elusive of states: grace.

Subscribe to Esquire and Save 75%

Get 12 fantastic issues of Esquire magazine for only $8. The best culture, entertainment, style, financial advice, women and more delivered right to your door every month ? at an incredible 81% savings off the newsstand price! What could be better... or easier?

Click here to subscribe now!