Richard Louv brings compelling anecdotes and evidence to back up his proposal that mankind is beginning to rely too much on technology in our daily lives. This increased reliance is proving detrimental to our collective productivity, creativity, and focus.

Nature deficiency disorder is becoming pandemic throughout the world, and is one problem we should all strive to overcome through increased immersion into nature, and the rediscovery of our natural selves.

I just won this book in in first reads giveaway and I am excited to read it for sure. As an art therapist, I am always interesting in finding alternative approaches to finding therapeutic and creative ways to soothe the soul. People in society today spend entirely too much time wasting away in cubicle style jobs, forgetting how to find solace in the beauty of nature around us. The ideas that seem to be presented in this book are excellent, and as soon as I read it, I will be sure to post a thoro More...

The book Last Child in the Woods, which is the predecessor and companion to this book, is a tough act to follow. None the less, Louv expands and applies his concepts of Nature Deficit Disorder, bringing the adult into focus as lacking in Vitamin N. N as in Nature.
I really want to endorse this one heartily and I find I can not. In the 3rd Chapter, he mentions his father's death by suicide, and implies that it was done as a result of lack of Nature in the guy's life. From here, I am set up for a More...

The Nature Principle states that "... a reconnection to the natural world is fundamental to human health, well-being, spirit, and survival." Richard Louv is able to show how true this principle really is. Through a combination of psychology research and anecdotal evidence, this book shows how even a limited connection to nature helps us to re-ignite our bodies, our health, our imaginations, and our communities.

People are paying a high price for losing contact with nature. And, by the term "natur More...

I was completely prepared to love this book. But I didn't find what I was looking for. I wanted and expected to find out a little about the science behind the idea that spending time in nature has brain benefits. I also wanted to know what exactly it is that scientists think is having the positive impact. Is it visual? Auditory? Is it the smell of outdoors? What if you are in a suburban environment, where there is a combination of nature and manmade structures - is it half as effective? Do peopl More...

Like many, I came to this book having read and loved Last Child in the Woods. This book was good, too, going farther than Last Child by pointing out how a connection with the nature around us makes all of us--child AND adult--happier, healthier, more peaceful, more productive. While Louv makes a lot out of a few studies at times, and waxes kind of mystical and hippy-happy at times, still the book is a good read. I especially enjoyed the many profiles of and interviews with people who are helping More...

I am going out and reading this book as soon as it hits the shelves. I read about it this morning in an article about nature as therapy. "Ecotherapy" is gaining legitimacy as a form of treatment, which I find really interesting (given that our culture seems to think pharmaceuticals are the answer to every problem). And, a closet-hippie, I like the idea that nature is all we need to stay and be healthy. :D

The urgency I felt reading this book almost took my breath away. It was pivotal in my decision to move to a small island with my two daughters. It's not an understatement to say this book is life changing. Richard Louv balances science nicely with narrative for an enjoyable read.

Louv's premise that in the Blackberry, iPhone, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube era we are coming distant from nature, including the nature in our immediate environment, is no doubt true. He gives countless examples that illustrate this disconnect, and then follows that up with more examples of how people are combating and overcoming Nature Deficit Disorder. The only reason I don't rate this book higher is that the author is dogmatic in making his points; at times I found myself thinking "I get it, I More...

Uplifting persuasive piece about the desirability of putting yourself in contact with nature. He goes beyond the sentimental testimonial anecdote (though there are quite a few "just the other day, I was taking a walk in the woods when I saw the most wonderful heron; can't get that on Facebook!" passages) to describe families banding together through nature outings, therapists prescribing outdoor time, workers being happier and more productive when they have windows in their offices overlooking w More...

Very interesting and informative book. I get the feeling, though, that he really just wanted to write Last Child in the Woods again (and let's be fair, who wouldn't?), and that after deviating from an adult focus back to children, he'd sort of catch himself and say, "oh yeah! But this book is about adults and nature."

It was a lot of repetitive information, which really is good for me because it's how I commit things to memory, but I imagine for others it could get a bit dry.

SPOILER:The story abo More...

I agree with the points he made, and I especially liked how he addressed specific reasons that are preventing our kids from being outside more: the boogieman theory (we don't feel safe letting them play unsupervised because someone might take them), liability (most people don't want kids climbing trees on their land, etc. because of potential law suits), and just less green space. Even if kids are outside, their play is much less structured that it use to be. It gave me a strong desire to create More...

Until the end of the book, when Louv spends far too many pages re-stating what he'd already illustrated in the book (have I mentioned before that I hate summaries in most books?), this book is an engaging read and provides so many new avenues for me to consider for jobs, places to live, things to think about when I'm cooped inside--or outside on a hike. Louv uses a combination of personal anecdotes and research, which makes the book more approachable, and encourages the idea that adults could an More...

I just won this book through First Reads - can't wait to receive it!

Let me start out by stating that I haven't read Louv's first book, but when I saw this one listed through the Good Reads Giveaway, I jumped at the chance to win a copy. We just moved, along with our three young sons, from a tract home in a planned subdivision to a 10 acre mini-farm - complete with goats and chickens. We are in the process of building a home off the grid and this just seemed like something that would be a great c More...

Overall, I think I would give this book 4.5 stars. I’m really thankful for the publisher and Goodreads for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

First, the good parts. I agreed with everything that the author was talking about, about how nature makes us happy and gives us greater satisfaction with life, as well as making us more productive, (I'm oversimplifying). I also liked the suggestions he made about how to bring more nature back to inner cities and places lower on the socioeconomic l More...

Note: I received this book as a Goodread's giveaway.

In my day to day life, I experience nature. I am fortunate to live in a small western town surrounded by mountains and high desert. The Nature Principle reinterated the quality of life I have. He talks about how the more you have technology in your life the more you need nature. He talks about the health benefits of nature, nature that is as near as our yards, creating nature to enjoy, and about the future of our collective nature. I found it t More...

Think this is a great book with a good message. Simply, the more wired we become the more important it is to spend time appreciating and getting out in nature. The later expands creativity; improves health; assists mental focus; is important for child development and growth; etc. Especially worth a read if your an individual who loves spending time in the outdoors but your day-to-day life is a hectic urban wired existence.

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Louv develops his arguments from "Last Children in the Woods" (and if you read one of his books, that's the one), asserting that Nature Deficit Disorder afflicts everyone and lies at the root of many social and environmental problems. He pushes for social networking as a means to remedy this situation from the family and neighborhood level. Thr issue is profoundly important and yet I found the book kind of redundant after awhile and, like many non-fiction books, could have been done more effecti More...

Crucially important topic. This book is full of great ideas on why and how to get closer to nature in basic as well as in very significant ways.

I saw another book by this author (Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder) at the scout shop so I wanted to see what he was all about. This one was at the library, so I checked it out. I am very glad I did. I very highly recommend this book.

I love how Louv covers many individuals that are working on connecting themselves and others to nature. I am particularly interested in the bacteria that may be responsible for animals ability to learn, and the myriad of research he cites that quantifies what I feel every time I spend time in nature. Breathing air filled with the smell of pine needles on and off the tree......ahhh

This is a great book about stepping back into nature. Looking to nature for healing. Louv is incredibly insightul, and his thoughts seem pretty logical. He tried to base a lot of his material on research, which is a good thing for me. I highly recommend this book to anyone stressed out, or anyone who is just generally feeling disconnected. five stars!

A good read, but it did not blow my mind like Last Child in the Woods. That said, Louv's research is unparalleled, and he has again given me heavy stuff to chew on both personally and in the way I raise my children.

Great quote that sums up my view on the book:

"Sooner or later, a school of higher education--perhaps a school that teaches teachers--is going to realize the potential and create an entire program devoted to connecting people to nature. Enter this program, learn about the benefits of h More...

A good read, but it did not blow my mind like Last Child in the Woods. That said, Louv's research is unparalleled, and he has again given me heavy stuff to chew on both personally and in the way I raise my children.

Great quote that sums up my view on the book:

"Sooner or later, a school of higher education--perhaps a school that teaches teachers--is going to realize the potential and create an entire program devoted to connecting people to nature. Enter this program, learn about the benefits of h More...

Louv expands on his notions in The Last Child in the Woods and takes us to a whole new level of thinking about how our actions can make a difference in the world and reconnect us and our children to the natural world, healing the world as a whole. Well worth the time.

This was a skim for me, as I much preferred his "Last Child in the Woods." The most interesting fact I took from the book is that Riverside County is the most bio-diverse county in the nation, San Diego second most. We have no excuse to get out and explore!

This is one of those books that I skimmed through, noting all the wonderful references it points to, but not feeling swept up by. My favorite quote is not from the author himself, but from Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel:

"Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement, to look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; to be spiritual is to be constantly amazed."

I agree with his hypothesis, but the book was a bit "study dense". I do, however, notice differences in myself when I have been lost to nature for a period, and similar positive changes when I have the chance to reconnect, particularly in solitude.

Another First Reads Giveaway book!

This was good, but not as thought-provoking as "Last Child in the Woods". It makes the case that it's not only children who need wilderness around. And, there are good suggestions for specific things that can be done. I've seen it myself - when I bike to work I get there much more relaxed, refreshed and ready to work. Certainly motivates me to get out there with Campbell this weekend and get wild!

The Nature Principle by Richard Louv is a wonderful followup to his popular book The Last Child in the Woods. I enjoyed listening to Rick Adamson read the unabridged 10.24 hour audio version. The short, focused chapters were perfect for an audio book format. [return][return]Louv focuses on seven basic concepts that tap into the restorative power of nature. Combining ideas and information from both well-known naturalists through history as well as current research, Louv provides compelling argume More...

Un peu mou. Bien que l'auteur cite des recherches scientifiques, l'ensemble sonne comme les réflexions vagues et sans but d'un individu sans passion.