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The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s-Eye View of the World

The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World book cover
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Non-Fiction Science History

by Michael Pollan

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4.05 (37.2K ratings)
calendar_today 2001
description 297 pages

The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World by Michael Pollan holds a highly rated rating of 4.05 out of 5, based on 37.2K reader ratings. First published in 2001. The book spans 297 pages.

About The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World

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?

Detail Value
Author Michael Pollan
Published 2001
Pages 297
Kindle Price $12.99
Genres Non-Fiction, Science, History
Average Rating 4.05 / 5.00
Total Ratings 37,200

Reader Ratings & Analysis

Rating Overview

4.1
starstarstarstarstar
37.2K ratings
With a rating of 4.05, The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World is rated below the global average of 4.17. Compared to its genre average of 4.02, it performs on par.

How It Compares

4.05
This Book
4.02
Science Average
4.17
Global Average

Frequently Asked Questions

What genre is The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World?

The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World is categorized as Non-Fiction, Science, History. Its primary genre classification is Science.

Is The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World worth reading?

Based on 37.2K reader ratings, The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World has an average score of 4.05 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."

How many pages is The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World?

The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World has 297 pages.

Who wrote The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World?

The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World was written by Michael Pollan. It was first published in 2001.

What is the ISBN for The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World?

The ISBN-13 for The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World is 9780375760400.0.

How much does The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World cost on Kindle?

The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World is available on Kindle for $12.99. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.

Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026