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Seeds of Hope: Wisdom and Wonder from the World of Plants
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Renowned naturalist and bestselling author Jane Goodall examines the critical role that trees and plants play in our world.
In her wise and elegant new book, Jane Goodall blends her experience in nature with her enthusiasm for botany to give readers a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Long before her work with chimpanzees, Goodall's passion for the natural world ...more
In her wise and elegant new book, Jane Goodall blends her experience in nature with her enthusiasm for botany to give readers a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Long before her work with chimpanzees, Goodall's passion for the natural world ...more
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Hardcover, 370 pages
Published
August 27th 2013
by Grand Central Publishing
(first published April 2nd 2013)
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Having my degree in environmental science, when I saw this book up for grabs on NetGalley, I immediately requested it.
Overall, I'd say that I was pleased by Seeds of Hope. I learned a lot, and Jane Goodall's passion for the plant world and for nature itself shines through her words. This book will definitely appeal to certain types of people, but I would still recommend it for those who might be a little wary. Jane Goodall's writing is very reader friendly, and I think that the general public w ...more
Overall, I'd say that I was pleased by Seeds of Hope. I learned a lot, and Jane Goodall's passion for the plant world and for nature itself shines through her words. This book will definitely appeal to certain types of people, but I would still recommend it for those who might be a little wary. Jane Goodall's writing is very reader friendly, and I think that the general public w ...more
Rather disappointing on the whole. The majority of the book consists of sketchy and fuzzy pseudo-scientific statements which are rarely, if ever, backed up by vague semi-scientific "evidence." On the other hand, her personal recollections of interactions with the natural world and its plants/creatures are charming.
Had Dr. Goodall written a book about her childhood growing up among trees, her adolescence and early adulthood exploring the vastly different (and yet fundamentally similar) biomes of ...more
Had Dr. Goodall written a book about her childhood growing up among trees, her adolescence and early adulthood exploring the vastly different (and yet fundamentally similar) biomes of ...more
I received an advanced reader copy through a GoodReads giveaway. I would not have finished the book if I did not feel it was my responsibility to give a free gift book a decent chance. I give it 2.5 stars and rounded up because I personally did not really like it or feel it was memorable but I know that it will appeal to a certain type of earth-loving person. This just isn't my thing but I respect her and what she has to say.
I will admit that I know very little about plants, shy away from most a ...more
I will admit that I know very little about plants, shy away from most a ...more
I won this book in the Goodreads First Reads Program.
This book is an excellent introduction to the importance of plants. Reading this book by Jane Goodall feels like you are sitting in a garden or a forest discussing plants with her. The importance of plants and their future is presented in a very personal way. It conveys the horrors that have been done to nature, and the hope that we can fix it.
I enjoyed reading this book. Not only was the information presented in an engaging way, it also pro ...more
This book is an excellent introduction to the importance of plants. Reading this book by Jane Goodall feels like you are sitting in a garden or a forest discussing plants with her. The importance of plants and their future is presented in a very personal way. It conveys the horrors that have been done to nature, and the hope that we can fix it.
I enjoyed reading this book. Not only was the information presented in an engaging way, it also pro ...more
Yes, I have a signed Jane Goodall book- be jealous! This book was amazing and really inspired me to make changes in my lifestyle. I never knew plants could be so interesting!
There are portions of this book that are truly inspiring and engrossing, but there are also portions of this book that read as naive -- sometimes painfully so. (The sections on "controversial" plants, especially, where Goodall emphasises repeatedly that "poor" plants are "innocent" but people are abusing them. Eh. )
So enjoyable and educational. This woman is a modern miracle.
So, the only thing I ever really knew about Jane Goodall was that she was the lady who worked with chimpanzees. That's it. Turns out, she has done a lot more than that. And a lot of that had to do with plants.
From an early age, Goodall loved plants, and even had a special tree at her grandmother's house. While off fighting to save the chimpanzees she was studying the local vegetation as well. In this book there are some accounts of her own experience, but it is also a book of history and current ...more
From an early age, Goodall loved plants, and even had a special tree at her grandmother's house. While off fighting to save the chimpanzees she was studying the local vegetation as well. In this book there are some accounts of her own experience, but it is also a book of history and current ...more
I gave this book four stars because I thought Goodall did a very good job discussing practically every issue related to plants in a way that made them accessible to the lay person. It's an easy book to read. Also, it contains amazing, even beautiful, stories about individual plants and trees around the world and things that individuals and groups from various backgrounds have done or are doing to foster the healthy growth and continuing presence of vegetation on earth. Goodall is both a spiritua
...more
Read this book before looking at the reviews. Apparently the release of this book was held back awaiting corrections and plagiarism concerns. I was not on a fact checking mission when I started to read this but some outstanding dating issues started to appear as listed in the three examples shown within:
Page 75, "Three hundred and fifty years have gone by since he published the results of his long deliberations in 1753,"
1753 plus 350 makes the current year 2113
Page 182 "They collected, in 1878, ...more
Page 75, "Three hundred and fifty years have gone by since he published the results of his long deliberations in 1753,"
1753 plus 350 makes the current year 2113
Page 182 "They collected, in 1878, ...more
Amazing… What a special glimpse into the world of plants, given by a woman who has lived and seen it all.
It was quite a joy to see this world through Jane's eyes. It brought back all the wonder that we already knew and loved about the plant kingdom and added new pieces to the puzzle that we are so happy to have found!
Mahalo Ms. Goodall!
It was quite a joy to see this world through Jane's eyes. It brought back all the wonder that we already knew and loved about the plant kingdom and added new pieces to the puzzle that we are so happy to have found!
Mahalo Ms. Goodall!
Expansive (unfocused?) exploration of the things Jane Goodall knows and learned about plants. I am inclined to agree with her position on most things, and found her anecdotes inspiring.
Renowned naturalist and bestselling author Jane Goodall examines the critical role that trees and plants play in our world.
In her wise and elegant new book, Jane Goodall blends her experience in nature with her enthusiasm for botany to give readers a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Long before her work with chimpanzees, Goodall's passion for the natural world sprouted in the backyard of her childhood home in England, where she climbed her beech tree and made elderberry wine with her ...more
In her wise and elegant new book, Jane Goodall blends her experience in nature with her enthusiasm for botany to give readers a deeper understanding of the world around us.
Long before her work with chimpanzees, Goodall's passion for the natural world sprouted in the backyard of her childhood home in England, where she climbed her beech tree and made elderberry wine with her ...more
What can I say. It’s Jane Goodall talking about forests and seeds and GM development and seeds. I have learned much. I have reinforced some of what I was already aware of.
I have been genuinely terrified by the sections on the new Super Weeds.
I have been inspired.
I read this as an audio book. I think I will take the opportunity to revisit it via a paper book in the future.
I may not always agree completely with some of Ms Goodalls forays into moralising, but that’s okay.
Recommend to everyone. ...more
I have been genuinely terrified by the sections on the new Super Weeds.
I have been inspired.
I read this as an audio book. I think I will take the opportunity to revisit it via a paper book in the future.
I may not always agree completely with some of Ms Goodalls forays into moralising, but that’s okay.
Recommend to everyone. ...more
If you are concerned about our Earth and our lack of care for her, this book is for you. Goodall is a calm, quiet story teller with a voice worthy of listening to.
I can't begin to describe how much I hated this book. I don't typically read Jane Goodall because I don't like a lot of her ideals but this book is about plants which I love so I thought I would give it a try. The first third of the book was very interesting and I actually enjoyed it. Then she got into the controversial topics and everything went downhill. Hardly anything she said was backed up by scientific fact and it read like an old lady remembering her glory years. It was so dramatic- every
...more
Eh, the first 3/4ths of the book was nothing new or spectacular. I was looking for some good scientific insights, but it was mostly her antidotes. She did have one neat point about chimps eating a certain plant, which was interesting. The last 1/4 she gives examples of what is happening across the globe to ensure that plants do not go extinct. This was more interesting, but not griping or all that motivating.
Jane Goodall is an institution, an inspiration and has made an enormous contribution to the world and environment.
For people who are interested implants, the environment and social change I recommend reading this book. The caveat is
Goodall and her co-author are not great writers, much of the information is too simplistic for people who really know plants or botany
and while I love the topic, the book has been the best sleep aid I have found in years.
For people who are interested implants, the environment and social change I recommend reading this book. The caveat is
Goodall and her co-author are not great writers, much of the information is too simplistic for people who really know plants or botany
and while I love the topic, the book has been the best sleep aid I have found in years.
I loved how Goodall inspired science and a poetical reverence for nature. Her mention of forest networks and communication between plants, questions she raises about whether food can be grown ethically to feed the planet, and interesting history about how early plant explorers transported and suffered to bring plants into our awareness...misuses of plants and recreational drug use...A great read.
This was such an enjoyable read. But Goodall's easy and friendly voice in this book are a call to action to save our planet and the plants and creatures that are a part of it. I enjoyed the variety of subject matter and was impressed that it was presented in such a focused way.
I never imagined someone could write so much about plants and so eloquently. You can truly hear her love for trees,seeds, roots, and shoots. Great but long. I loved how it incorporated many different aspects including how gmo crops have made such an impact on our lives.
As usual, Jane Goodall provides her wonderful, knowledgeable insights.
Easy to read style. Almost reads like a diary of her love affair with plants. Lots of valuable information.
Jane Goodall is most well-known for her work with primates, and animals in general. While compiling a book on animals, she gathered enough material for a book on endangered plant species as well.
This book was a great read because it is easy to take plant for granted. They often just fade into a mass of green foliage. But when we start to think about how diverse the plant world is, and how important it can be to us, we gain a broader perspective into the world. Endangered species are not just an ...more
This book was a great read because it is easy to take plant for granted. They often just fade into a mass of green foliage. But when we start to think about how diverse the plant world is, and how important it can be to us, we gain a broader perspective into the world. Endangered species are not just an ...more
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This book is a LOW two star rating. It started out good and then about halfway through it went from Seeds of Hope to Seeds of Depression. I wanted something to make me feel like there was hope for the planet but instead she just pointed out all the ways that humans have absolutely trashed in and I've lost even more faith in humanity. If the book didn't do that for you, then the closing stories of the three "survivors" with one story being focused on the Hiroshima horrors and another on 9/11, wel
...more
As I am not a voracious non-fiction reader, this book is perfect for audiobook listening that I started on a road trip to visit my mom. At almost 83 (April 3), Jane Goodall has led an amazing life. She had many wonderful and some unbelievable stories to tell about our plant kingdom. I found the existence of the Millennium Seed Bank fascinating. Can you believe that Jane even mentioned the Bridgeport area of Chicago when talking about efforts being made around the world in terms of urban farming!
...more
Nov 23, 2018
Sandy Krausnick
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audio-books
I listened to this audio book, and it was a real treat to hear JG reading parts herself. That’s always a bonus for me. I learned so much on the journey through this book and fully appreciate JG’s love of trees and plants. She is eloquent, knowledgeable and one of the most dedicated individuals trying to bring awareness to the rest of us Homo sapiens on how to save the only planet we have. Inspiring.
Had to quit this book about 20% in because it was just too boring. I didn't feel a strong theme or direction so I cut my losses.
Most of it seemed to me to be shallow and self-indulgent. There's a lot of Goodall saying things like "I remember this one time when I was adventuring in Africa when I saw this beautiful plant..." or "I've always loved birds, they're so beautiful don't you agree?"
Not interesting or compelling to me.
Most of it seemed to me to be shallow and self-indulgent. There's a lot of Goodall saying things like "I remember this one time when I was adventuring in Africa when I saw this beautiful plant..." or "I've always loved birds, they're so beautiful don't you agree?"
Not interesting or compelling to me.
Such an encouraging book! I've found that a lot of recently published ecological books tend to have sort of a doomsday feel to them regarding the future of their subject matter. Goodall clearly presents the serious conservation concerns that treat the plant world, but she does it in such a way that is encouraging and stimulating, rather than depressing. It is also just delightful to read about someone so delighted by the natural world and the world of plants specifically.
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For the Australian academic and mystery writer, see Professor Jane R. Goodall.
Dame Jane Morris Goodall, DBE (born Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall), is a British primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist, and UN Messenger of Peace. Considered to be the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees, Goodall is best known for her 45-year study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Strea ...more
Dame Jane Morris Goodall, DBE (born Valerie Jane Morris-Goodall), is a British primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist, and UN Messenger of Peace. Considered to be the world's foremost expert on chimpanzees, Goodall is best known for her 45-year study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Strea ...more
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“It was as though the plants wanted me to write a different kind of book and sent gentle roots deep into my brain. They wanted me to fully acknowledge their importance in human history, their amazing powers of healing, the nourishment they provide, their ability to harm if we misused them, and, ultimately, our dependence on the plant kingdom. The plants seemed to want me to share with the world my own understanding of their beingness, so that people might better honor them as important partners in so many of our endeavors.”
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