You are about to read a lot about dirt, which no one knows very much about. So begins the cult classic that brings mystery and magic to that stuff ...
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reviews
Jun 06, 2010
Grace
rated it: 
From the standpoint of a budding soil scientist, but ever the naturalist, this book nearly bored me to tears. While it was a quick read, interesting in parts, it was also a series of non-connecting short stories about one guy's encounters with dirt, either in physical or academic form.
The topics Logan glossed over are just about everything from how soil is formed from interstellar dust (at the beginning of the planet's creation) to worms in the dirt. Most, however, were mini stories More...
The topics Logan glossed over are just about everything from how soil is formed from interstellar dust (at the beginning of the planet's creation) to worms in the dirt. Most, however, were mini stories More...
Dec 06, 2011
Edward
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Having been raised on a farm, it was ironic to read this book and realize how little I knew about the “dirt” that nourished the wheat crops which in turn provided my parents with a living. Dirt to me was just dirt. How naive I was!
The book is a collection of essays, organized into eight categories, put together by Logan who was an environmental columnist for the New York Times. Some are whimsical and personal, others more scientific and objective. I think a summary ending best cap More...
The book is a collection of essays, organized into eight categories, put together by Logan who was an environmental columnist for the New York Times. Some are whimsical and personal, others more scientific and objective. I think a summary ending best cap More...
Dec 13, 2008
Eric
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This book was written by the author of Oak which is, I think, my favorite natural history book. Dirt was written much earlier and shows by way of contrast the excellence of his latter work.
That being said, Dirt is still a book well worth your time. The book consists of typically short chapters, organized into eight sections. The chapters range from John Adams compost recipe to geological descriptions of clay. Some of my favorite chapters were the ones on farming in Rome, on old sto More...
That being said, Dirt is still a book well worth your time. The book consists of typically short chapters, organized into eight sections. The chapters range from John Adams compost recipe to geological descriptions of clay. Some of my favorite chapters were the ones on farming in Rome, on old sto More...
Aug 16, 2011
Cheri
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I'll start with what I didn't like about the book, because it's less than what I liked about the book.
I didn't appreciate all the coupling of science and data with Christian theology. It started off being real heavy, and almost put me off to reading the book entirely. Later, there becomes more of a balanced multi-religious/cultural perspective added with the inclusion of history and writing on the topic of dirt, agriculture, etc., but as I said - the beginning almost put me off. It More...
I didn't appreciate all the coupling of science and data with Christian theology. It started off being real heavy, and almost put me off to reading the book entirely. Later, there becomes more of a balanced multi-religious/cultural perspective added with the inclusion of history and writing on the topic of dirt, agriculture, etc., but as I said - the beginning almost put me off. It More...
Jun 23, 2007
Tiffany
rated it: 
Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth is penned in the style of poetic memoir, and while a natural history of soil could easily bog a reader down with tedious minutiae and scientific jargon, Logan finds a way to make his subject matter accessible and even thrilling to the reader, connecting the science of the earth with its spiritual implications and the beauty of the relentless cycle of growth, death, and rejuvenation. Dirt is chock full of mythology, history, and poetry. Read it! It's good!
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Aug 09, 2010
Sara
rated it:
Being an avid gardener, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Logan LOVES dirt and writes lyrically about it. You'll never consider dirt as you previously did after reading this book. It's alive but terribly abused. However, it's constantly remaking itself. Thanks for loaning it to me, Mike.
Jul 26, 2010
Marilyn
rated it:
A remarkable rhapsody on the life of soil. Accessible and engaging even for those who might not hasten to pick up a book about soil--beautifully, thoughtfully written. Makes you want to walk more gently and look more closely.
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Aug 29, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
This was a mostly delightful and informative read with a little unevenness from one chapter to the next. I enjoyed learning about soil formation, how soil needs to be fed, compost, layers of soil, etc., but some chapters introduced less pertinent tangents. It offered very good descriptions of the importance of healthy soils, crop rotation, natural cycles that affect the soil, and growing patterns in different environments.
Sep 09, 2009
Doug
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A little too much poetic flightiness for my taste...about DIRT. C'mon! Meh, still some cool stuff in there. Lesson: don't EVER eat dirt.
Sep 07, 2010
Elizabeth
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Overall it was OK with little bits I really liked. I never got invested into and it took me along time to finish the last half.
Feb 22, 2011
Jim
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Very interesting well written book - highly recommended to anybody with any sort of close relationship with dirt.
Jun 20, 2009
Gallerywright
rated it:
wonderful little book, well written and brings your attention to dirt, soil and grit in a most profound way.
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May 10, 2009
Cathy
rated it:
Gorgeous stories of Earth and the earth we live on. Part philosophical treatise, part natural history.
Jul 19, 2010
Dawn
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Most people would say this is a book of essays about dirt.
I disagree. It is a book of poetry--written in prose--about dirt. All of the poems were interesting. Most were stunning. A few were too scientific for my fine arts liking. A couple were heartbreaking.
Oh, just read the damn thing. You'll know what I mean.
I disagree. It is a book of poetry--written in prose--about dirt. All of the poems were interesting. Most were stunning. A few were too scientific for my fine arts liking. A couple were heartbreaking.
Oh, just read the damn thing. You'll know what I mean.
May 18, 2010
Justus
rated it:
Thoughtful, beautiful (and informative) meditations dirt. It is a great melodious read that has stayed with me for the past seven years. His other book Oak is interesting, but not nearly as universal and powerful as this one.
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Mar 18, 2008
Mikey
rated it:
This book isn't about what I thought it was going to be about. I was thinking it would be a dry, scientific treatise on soil ecology, but it turns out that he's chosen to explore dirt from an entirely different angle.
While there is plenty of good information, there is also a fair amount of folklore (mainly Biblical, so if you don't like that you'll have a hard time with this book) and friendly chatter.
All in all, well worth the read.
While there is plenty of good information, there is also a fair amount of folklore (mainly Biblical, so if you don't like that you'll have a hard time with this book) and friendly chatter.
All in all, well worth the read.
Apr 17, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
A book of essays about dirt, soil, and rocks. There were some very interesting bits of information, but I'm not sure it's worth reading the whole book to find them. Before reading these essays, I wouldn't have thought it possible to pack in so many sexual references into a book about dirt. As another reviewer wrote, perhaps the author loves dirt just a little too much.
Mar 13, 2011
Gabbi
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More philosophical and meditative than anything else. Logan has a strong base in geology and ecology, but I find myself hard-pressed to recall his scientific facts and points, being so intermingled with his personal and spiritual ruminations. Definitely a worthwhile read however.
Mar 08, 2008
joelene
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I picked this book up a the library on a whim expecting a dry boring read. It was just the opposite it is engaging and filled with interesting science and historical facts. I almost put it down after the first few pages because he makes some biblical references, he may be religious or know his biblical facts but he is not a creationist (phew!).
May 18, 2010
'Cause they're makin' it into a movie!: Dirt! The Movie (www.dirtthemovie.org)
Oct 09, 2008
Jonathan
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Enlightened, informed, and ever so slightly spiritual, Dirt takes little glances at the layer of the Earth from which all things come and to which we all will return. I find it an appropriate celebration of a miraculous substance.
Mar 01, 2008
Edith
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yet another book on dirt and from a different vantage point compared to the first dirt book i read. both speak of the precisouness of the resource that most would take for granted... at least that is how it appears to me.
Dec 17, 2009
This book has been sitting unopened on my shelf for so long that it's finally going away to the used bookstore. Maybe someday I'll get it out of the library and read it, or find it and buy it again in some other used bookstore.
Mar 20, 2008
Shubha
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Amazing book, but only if you are really ready to explore the spiritual, nourishing, philosophical side of soil and earth. I'm really into dirt at the moment, so it was perfect for me. Thank you Carol!
Sep 21, 2008
Tarn
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Logan is a brilliant essayist; in this collection he waxes profound on the subject of the attention-lorn soil. In addition, he makes dirt downright sexy and erotic for the five-star win!
Dec 08, 2007
Nico
rated it:
Not bad as an introduction to soil science. Very poetic. A bit soft. Nice mix of catholic imagery and cursewords. This guy has something to do with the church.
