What do you think?
Rate this book
Concrete Botany: The Ecology of Plants in the Age of Human Disturbance
Concrete Botany
is a gritty, kick-in-the-guts look at the ecological disturbance humans have caused and the resilience of the plants living amongst it.
Delivered in his raw and unapologetic yet botanically accurate tone, Joey Santore—the unforgettable host of Crime Pays but Botany Doesn’t—offers an often unsettling view of human-caused ecological destruction and its impact on the natural ecosystems our very lives depend on.
The choices of modern civilization have led to a f***ed-up planet, scraped bare and covered in concrete and invasive species. We’ve wiped out entire ecosystems, moved invasive plants to new continents where they don’t belong, and, in a few hundred years, we’ve managed to muck up the intricate balance of a planet that has been evolving for eons. The consequences of our actions are now at our doorstep, ready to strike a match.
But not all is lost. In this groundbreaking examination of plants and their role in the Anthropocene (the age of human disturbance), we see light through the cracks in the concrete and learn that humanity’s course correction starts with an understanding of plant ecology. With this knowledge comes the realization that the lives of humans and plants are interconnected in ways humans cannot live without. Plants are the base of every terrestrial ecosystem on the planet, and their presence can heal the damage humanity has caused. Our willingness to restore native plant communities and the biodiversity they support (starting in our immediate surroundings) is an essential first step in the right direction.
While returning every abandoned brownfield and old rail corridor into a native plant–filled, fully restored ecosystem may be out of reach for the average citizen, fostering the native ecology and biodiversity of our own backyards is not. Concrete Botany is ultimately about how the choices we make as individuals can help ensure humanity’s survival on a very disturbed and rapidly changing planet.
Delivered in his raw and unapologetic yet botanically accurate tone, Joey Santore—the unforgettable host of Crime Pays but Botany Doesn’t—offers an often unsettling view of human-caused ecological destruction and its impact on the natural ecosystems our very lives depend on.
The choices of modern civilization have led to a f***ed-up planet, scraped bare and covered in concrete and invasive species. We’ve wiped out entire ecosystems, moved invasive plants to new continents where they don’t belong, and, in a few hundred years, we’ve managed to muck up the intricate balance of a planet that has been evolving for eons. The consequences of our actions are now at our doorstep, ready to strike a match.
But not all is lost. In this groundbreaking examination of plants and their role in the Anthropocene (the age of human disturbance), we see light through the cracks in the concrete and learn that humanity’s course correction starts with an understanding of plant ecology. With this knowledge comes the realization that the lives of humans and plants are interconnected in ways humans cannot live without. Plants are the base of every terrestrial ecosystem on the planet, and their presence can heal the damage humanity has caused. Our willingness to restore native plant communities and the biodiversity they support (starting in our immediate surroundings) is an essential first step in the right direction.
While returning every abandoned brownfield and old rail corridor into a native plant–filled, fully restored ecosystem may be out of reach for the average citizen, fostering the native ecology and biodiversity of our own backyards is not. Concrete Botany is ultimately about how the choices we make as individuals can help ensure humanity’s survival on a very disturbed and rapidly changing planet.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published April 7, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 6, 2026
I have been a big fan of Joey ever since discovering his YouTube channel several years ago. His no nonsense style was as refreshing then as it is now in Concrete Botany. Joey is right, our society has constructed itself to only value contrived intangible goals. This has cascaded to deprive most people of a connection to the land they live on and the ecosystem we are all a part of, which then leads to a whole host of other issues.
The book is about his journey with this topic of native plants and the "real world" that we all exist in. It's moderate on narrative, but I found it relaxing and enjoyable.
My one criticism is that sometimes he can belabor the point he is trying to make. But that may be more of an issue for me as I've already heard a lot of what he said in the book through his podcast and videos. If you're familiar with his work you may not find a lot of new information. But this is good as a manifesto for how the world is botanically screwed up and some methods to fix it. All in all, I recommend.
The book is about his journey with this topic of native plants and the "real world" that we all exist in. It's moderate on narrative, but I found it relaxing and enjoyable.
My one criticism is that sometimes he can belabor the point he is trying to make. But that may be more of an issue for me as I've already heard a lot of what he said in the book through his podcast and videos. If you're familiar with his work you may not find a lot of new information. But this is good as a manifesto for how the world is botanically screwed up and some methods to fix it. All in all, I recommend.
April 8, 2026
amazing book. a really good blend of interesting information and fun stories. if your even remotely interested in the natural world this a definite read
April 13, 2026
“What does it mean to exhibit gratitude and respect for plant life? The best indicator of respect for anything including people is an innate curiosity and willingness to learn about it, pay attention to it and study it. People aren’t curious about a thing unless they’re attracted to it. Innate curiosity does wonders, as does the excitement when the brain makes the connection between two disparate subjects.”
Until I came across this book I was completely unfamiliar with Joey Santore, but it took me all of ten minutes in to follow him on Instagram for more. Santore is a self-taught botanist who narrates his plant stories and knowledge in such a way that feels like the perfect combination of smart assy and matter of fact without any notes of arrogance. It’s like I’m sitting at a local bar having a few beers with an uncle but instead of complaining about the work week we’re excited about plants the same way people get excited about animals. (Plants also have disguises that protect them from predators just like animals!) The underlying topic of conversation being “Why don’t we care? What if we DID care? Here’s why you SHOULD care!” in regards to the ecological ignorance most of us have.
I decided to listen to the audiobook and I’m so glad I did, because the author also narrates his audiobook and I didn’t feel like I had to try really hard to understand the matters he was discussing. Even with all of the scientific terms for plants he used, it rolled out of his mouth so easily that it made me feel like I could dive into botany myself and memorize those terms one day, and he has the sort of accent where he doesn’t sound pretentious but he does want you to care. What I really loved about this book was that it was just NEAT. Super rad. Fun to listen to. The way we grow up learning about animals and bugs and why each of them serve a specific purpose in their native areas, this is how the author speaks about flora. I had never really considered that while animals evolve over time and have different species, plants are the same and their paths are endless. I sat and looked at my yard in a new perspective. Humans have cleared out entire ecosystems to put up homes and businesses that eventually end up abandoned and have dug up and moved plants to other areas where they shouldn’t be, causing extreme consequences for plant life world wide. The way he explains down to detail how the simplest of weeds and flowers we see on a daily basis may or may not beneficial to where it’s now growing and why that is, and how we as a human race are responsible for essentially fucking up the natural order of plant development BUT how we as a human race can learn, grow and right the wrongs to save our environment. How upon the settlement of this land, the east coast suffered greater than most regions of the US and how the children and grandchildren to come will never know the plant life that our ancestors did in those areas simply due to settlement and development of lands. There’s so much history in the plants we look over and walk over and pave over every day and if we care enough to take it upon ourselves to take an interest in it, we can learn about it just like him and make conscious efforts to look at our lands as a gift versus something that is owed to us. We can look to flora for education and answers and care for it the way it was made to care for us.
“Every plant possesses clues that allude to their evolutionary and ecological history though they might be more subtle.”
Not only that, but the incredible amount of species of plants we’re missing out on learning about simply because research for the benefits of capitalism and consumerism have pushed for answers that land money in the pockets of leaders and billionaires versus having research done just because our earth deserves that, and that should be enough.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love people as individuals. In large groups when we know other people are watching us, we become predictable, conformist, performative and too easily persuaded….We’re the only species of animal that thinks it’s not an animal. We believe we have free will and choice yet the vast majority of us remain entirely unaware of how narrow our world views are, and unaware of the factors that shape them.”
I didn’t feel like I was hearing another lesson of reduce/reuse/recycle. Between interesting and unique facts and personal stories about his adventures and studies in various regions across the world, this was really, really cool and I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone even if you’re not a beginner gardener like me or someone who just loves learning about our earth. Everyone could benefit from reading this book!! I’d like to think I’m not completely unaware about the subject matter, but this opened some brain doors for me. I’ll definitely be adding more books like this to my list and tuning into his YouTube channel!
Until I came across this book I was completely unfamiliar with Joey Santore, but it took me all of ten minutes in to follow him on Instagram for more. Santore is a self-taught botanist who narrates his plant stories and knowledge in such a way that feels like the perfect combination of smart assy and matter of fact without any notes of arrogance. It’s like I’m sitting at a local bar having a few beers with an uncle but instead of complaining about the work week we’re excited about plants the same way people get excited about animals. (Plants also have disguises that protect them from predators just like animals!) The underlying topic of conversation being “Why don’t we care? What if we DID care? Here’s why you SHOULD care!” in regards to the ecological ignorance most of us have.
I decided to listen to the audiobook and I’m so glad I did, because the author also narrates his audiobook and I didn’t feel like I had to try really hard to understand the matters he was discussing. Even with all of the scientific terms for plants he used, it rolled out of his mouth so easily that it made me feel like I could dive into botany myself and memorize those terms one day, and he has the sort of accent where he doesn’t sound pretentious but he does want you to care. What I really loved about this book was that it was just NEAT. Super rad. Fun to listen to. The way we grow up learning about animals and bugs and why each of them serve a specific purpose in their native areas, this is how the author speaks about flora. I had never really considered that while animals evolve over time and have different species, plants are the same and their paths are endless. I sat and looked at my yard in a new perspective. Humans have cleared out entire ecosystems to put up homes and businesses that eventually end up abandoned and have dug up and moved plants to other areas where they shouldn’t be, causing extreme consequences for plant life world wide. The way he explains down to detail how the simplest of weeds and flowers we see on a daily basis may or may not beneficial to where it’s now growing and why that is, and how we as a human race are responsible for essentially fucking up the natural order of plant development BUT how we as a human race can learn, grow and right the wrongs to save our environment. How upon the settlement of this land, the east coast suffered greater than most regions of the US and how the children and grandchildren to come will never know the plant life that our ancestors did in those areas simply due to settlement and development of lands. There’s so much history in the plants we look over and walk over and pave over every day and if we care enough to take it upon ourselves to take an interest in it, we can learn about it just like him and make conscious efforts to look at our lands as a gift versus something that is owed to us. We can look to flora for education and answers and care for it the way it was made to care for us.
“Every plant possesses clues that allude to their evolutionary and ecological history though they might be more subtle.”
Not only that, but the incredible amount of species of plants we’re missing out on learning about simply because research for the benefits of capitalism and consumerism have pushed for answers that land money in the pockets of leaders and billionaires versus having research done just because our earth deserves that, and that should be enough.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love people as individuals. In large groups when we know other people are watching us, we become predictable, conformist, performative and too easily persuaded….We’re the only species of animal that thinks it’s not an animal. We believe we have free will and choice yet the vast majority of us remain entirely unaware of how narrow our world views are, and unaware of the factors that shape them.”
I didn’t feel like I was hearing another lesson of reduce/reuse/recycle. Between interesting and unique facts and personal stories about his adventures and studies in various regions across the world, this was really, really cool and I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone even if you’re not a beginner gardener like me or someone who just loves learning about our earth. Everyone could benefit from reading this book!! I’d like to think I’m not completely unaware about the subject matter, but this opened some brain doors for me. I’ll definitely be adding more books like this to my list and tuning into his YouTube channel!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First I want to thank Joey Santore, Cool Springs Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book before its release to the general public.
Concrete Botany is a sobering read into the far-reaching consequences of humanity's wholesale destruction of our natural habitat. Joey simultaneously provides a thorough education into the subject of botany, whilst not being afraid to exact pointed criticism, something that is uncommon in educational books and is refreshing to see here.
Far too often educational media timidly avoids getting political or holding a strong stance on contemporary issues. This book is an example of the opposite, and I mean that as a compliment.
Joey is a self-taught botanist who got into the field perhaps a little later than some do, but is not a layman by any means, and has clearly invested a great deal of time and effort into refining his knowledge, and is subsequently well respected within his field.
A considerable amount of information is presented in this book, and in a way that never feels dry or clinical. With each concept introduced he gives real-world examples of how that knowledge can be applied in practice to our daily lives.
Concrete Botany is a sobering read into the far-reaching consequences of humanity's wholesale destruction of our natural habitat. Joey simultaneously provides a thorough education into the subject of botany, whilst not being afraid to exact pointed criticism, something that is uncommon in educational books and is refreshing to see here.
Far too often educational media timidly avoids getting political or holding a strong stance on contemporary issues. This book is an example of the opposite, and I mean that as a compliment.
Joey is a self-taught botanist who got into the field perhaps a little later than some do, but is not a layman by any means, and has clearly invested a great deal of time and effort into refining his knowledge, and is subsequently well respected within his field.
A considerable amount of information is presented in this book, and in a way that never feels dry or clinical. With each concept introduced he gives real-world examples of how that knowledge can be applied in practice to our daily lives.
April 12, 2026
Part auto-biography part science book, this is the descent of one man's obsession into plants. It starts with something small, like seeing a weird plant growing where there shouldn't be anything growing, wondering what it is. Looking it up, learning why it might be able to survive. Before you know it you're obsessed.
This is a great starting point for anyone looking to educate themselves on nature. If you think “damn, I need to go touch grass” then this book explains why that is and how important it is to connect with plants.
It's full of information about what is happening to the world around us and why plants are the answer.
As a bit of a plant nerd I was so excited to read this, I just want more people to love plants as much as I do.
If you're okay with eco-activism and cursing please read this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Cool Springs Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This is a great starting point for anyone looking to educate themselves on nature. If you think “damn, I need to go touch grass” then this book explains why that is and how important it is to connect with plants.
It's full of information about what is happening to the world around us and why plants are the answer.
As a bit of a plant nerd I was so excited to read this, I just want more people to love plants as much as I do.
If you're okay with eco-activism and cursing please read this.
Thank you to NetGalley and Cool Springs Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Read
March 9, 2026I have read this book recently. I like its title "Concrete Botany". This book is written by Joey Santore. This book is related to science. It has a large amount of description of many species of plants. It is a very useful book to know about the life cycle of plants. It has found information about the evolution of plants. It has a lot of knowledge about geography, culture and nature etc. It explains the behavior of human beings to the other living beings. This book describes how nature make the rules for everyone but human always break them. They also create a horrific circumstances for every one. They also destroy the Ecosystem of Earth. This book gives an ides how we can make pure environment in our planet with the help of plants and trees. This book could have been extraordinary if it had been more diagrams.
April 9, 2026
This is a unique and fantastic take on botany and ecology. Passionate and profanity laced, his enthusiasm for natives and habitat restoration is infectious. Becoming a native guerrilla gardener is almost an imperative after reading this book and he gives you the beginning tools to kill your lawn and start your own native habitat restoration. I just wish there were more pictures in this book. I particularly would have liked to see before and after pics of his habitat restoration projects.
April 10, 2026
If you think about our current and developing situation with growing cities and its connection to nature, this book can not only give you a botanical introduction but also show you the many different resistant plants that you can find everywhere you go: next to your supermarket, on the sidewalk, or right next to your door.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews