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What Members Thought
This mix of memoir and science lesson was a wonderful read. Ms. Jahren's tale of her growth as a scientist, professor and friend was well written and entertaining. Her friendship with her lab partner Bill and the adventures they had together (in particular the side trip to Monkey Jungle) were the most fun for me to read. I was also amazed by how interesting the science was and appreciated that I had the opportunity to learn a few new things about plants and trees.
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4.5
I liked almost everything about this book: the author's voice varying from serious, passionate, bravely honest to being surprisingly funny, her relationship with her science partner, Bill, and her uncompromising passion for science. I also liked her alternating chapters about trees and her life. Of course as with all memoirs, I have questions but I hope she writes another one that answers some of them. ...more
I liked almost everything about this book: the author's voice varying from serious, passionate, bravely honest to being surprisingly funny, her relationship with her science partner, Bill, and her uncompromising passion for science. I also liked her alternating chapters about trees and her life. Of course as with all memoirs, I have questions but I hope she writes another one that answers some of them. ...more
At first, I really felt the title of this book was aptly named, but as it continued on, then I felt more like it needed to represent the trees she is so fond of studying and a lab seems too confining and not as likely to reach the target audience she wants to compel to action. I didn't like the end of the book in which the author specifically encourages deceit and lying to get more trees planted - I feel like someone who cares enough to do something active for the environment has higher standard
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I enjoyed how this story was told in both antidotes and case studies of the plants. I also liked that the author included her mental health history in the stories since it did play a role in her work.
Interesting read with fun science trivia mixed with intensely personal stories. The eco-politics and whining about the stinginess of our government in funding science are mildly annoying, but do not dominate the book.
Apr 11, 2016
Beth Given
marked it as to-read
May 09, 2016
Julie
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Dec 23, 2016
Donna
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May 08, 2017
Libscigrl
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Jan 01, 2019
Melissa Seng
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Jul 06, 2019
Stephanie
marked it as to-read
