I’ve previously reviewed others in this series (Uncanny and Improbable Events, and This Can’t Be Happening). My review for this book is very similar to my review for Uncanny and Improbable Events.

In short, I don’t really understand the point of this book. This is a re-published extract from Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, under a new name. I loved Braiding Sweetgrass and gave it five stars, but why not read or buy the full book, instead of this short extract (less than half the original book) with no new content? This edition doesn’t add anything as far as I can tell; it’s not updated, it doesn’t include any new writings from Kimmerer, etc. So frankly, it seems like a bit of a cash grab. Buy Braiding Sweetgra

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

A sweet and lovely book on nature and humans relationship with it. The author touched upon how we should show gratitude towards the earth and how we have the responsibility to what we are taking from the land. Definitely left me wanting to explore more of her writing.
Thank you Penguin press and Netgalley for the e-ARC.

Loved this. I am a huge fan of her writing and her work and so I wasn't surprised that I would love this. Brilliance from a brilliant writer.

And just like that, the world seems a little bit more alive. Fantastic. RTC.

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<blockquote>"[W]e are called to go beyond cultures of gratitude, to once again become cultures of reciprocity".</blockquote>
In The Democracy of Species, Robin Wall Kimmerer tells us a story and teaches us a lesson. She tells us about learning Potawatomi, a language that should have been her first, but is now reduced to 9 native speakers and video lessons. She tells us the story of discovering this language and learning to see the world anew through it.

Languages hold ideas and worldviews that shape our perspective in ways we cannot articulate or comprehend unless we are confronted by something outside of it. Kimmerer explores how the animacy of the natural world is built into Potawatomi; trees, rocks, rivers, animals and people are alive, have agency and value, and deserve respect. The natural world is not a collection of objects, nature is not an 'it', but a 'who'.

Kimmerer asks us to imagine "the access we would have to different perspectives, the things we might see through other eyes, the wisdom that surrounds us" if we could learn this grammar of animacy.

From this question, Kimmerer leads us deftly to one possibility--the Honourable Harvest, a collection of indigenous American principles and practices on sustainable land stewardship. This is the heart of the book--exploring the question of responsibility and reciprocity, the Honourable Harvest, and the idea of an equal relationship with the land rather than just taking.

Kimmerer is a compelling writer and has a talent for showing perspective, for showing us the whys, hows and whats-nexts of looking at the world in a certain way. Through stories and myths, Kimmerer guides us toward an understanding of this new perspective. She takes from one step to the next, to ask
<blockquote>"what is our responsibility is perhaps also to ask, What is our gift? And how shall we use it?"</blockquote>
Though this story and lesson deal so much with loss, Kimmerer ends on a very positive, uplifting note. We still have agency, we still have gifts that we can use to mend our breaking world. This 96-page book has already opened my world a little, made it a little more alive.

The Democracy of Species is a part of a 20 book collection from Penguin: <i>Green Ideas</i>, "the classics of the environmental movement". I will definitely be reading more books in the series.

<i>(I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.)</i>

Part of the Penguin series "Green Ideas" - a collection of 20 short books on the environment. Other authors with books in the series include Naomi Klein, Michael Pollan, Amitav Ghosh and Rachel Carson.

I jumped at the chance to get an ARC of Robin Wall Kimmerer's book included in the collection. I've heard universally excellent things about Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, and thought this would be a good opportunity to sample her writing and ideas.

The main focus of the book is how humans can work to have a more reciprocal relationship with the natural world -- think taking what you need in a conscious manner rather than endless exploitation. This idea is explored through the idea of the 'Honourable Harvest'. Kimmerer also reflects on her indigenous ancestry and their relationship with the world around them, and how language can shape our connections with plants and animals.

A very enjoyable read. Recommended, and I'll definitely be checking out more books from the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this short, thought-provoking book.

Robin Wall Kimmerer explores her indigenous ancestry and her people’s relationship with the natural world, and we can all learn from her discoveries. It seems vital to me that we need to live with humility and gratitude for the resources we take from the Earth to survive, being careful to take only what we need and ensuring the continuation of the species upon which we rely.

I found it fascinating how the switch from English to the Potawatomi language altered the author’s perception of our environment, making it less “other” and more “us”. The world would be a better place if we all lived by the practice of the Honourable Harvest.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback.

In The Democracy of Species, Kimmerer encourages a more symbiotic, respectful relationship with nature - with the animals we share our planet with, the trees and plants around us - to foster a more nurturing and sustainable world. She writes from ethical, ecological and spiritual viewpoints - beginning with the power of the language we use. Sharing her own experience of seeing her own native language and culture shrinking down to just a handful of people - she gives a valuable insight into their beliefs and their respect towards nature itself. In just three sections, this was not only beautiful writing but created a true sense of kinship with the world and the writer that we could all use in the fight against climate change.
"We need acts of restoration, not only for polluted waters and degraded lands, but also for our relationship to the world."