| 1. The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals | 
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By: Michael Pollan
Publisher: Penguin Audio
April 11, 2006
For me, there is no greater praise for a book. I'm 3/4 through the book now, and already, it has challenged my views on food, farming, markets, and the US. And I kinda want to be a "grass farmer."... more
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| 2. On the Duty of Civil Disobedience |
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By: Henry David Thoreau
Publisher: Wilder Publications
March 24, 2008
Civil Disobedience (Original Title: Resistance to Civil Government) by Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)
This essay was written at a time when slavery was still legal and the United States military had invaded Mexico, serving as a catalyst for Thoreau's dissent against an unjust government. His focus is on the primacy of the individual - and he disagrees that the individual should "serve"... more
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| 3. Second Nature |
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By: Michael Pollan
Publisher: Laurel
April 05, 1992
I find Second Nature to be primarily a treatise on urban
landscaping for homeowners--what to do with the land on which
your house sits. A very philosophical approach to gardening... more
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| 4. The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World | 
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By: Michael Pollan
Publisher: Audio Evolution, distributed by Gildan/Hachette
May 21, 2007
First of all, if you have never read any of Michael Pollan's books, you are missing out. I would suggest reading The Omnivore's Dilemma first, but this book is very good also. It is a look at how instead of us conquering and "domesticating" four kinds of plants, they have in fact figured out how to use us to propagate their species. The section on apples is my favorite because it seems like this plant... more
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| 5. The Selfish Gene |
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By: Richard Dawkins
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
December 16, 1976
The book is amazing. Dawkins does a great job of explaining the theory of evolution, and goes on to explain how it (or generalizations thereof) can be applied in completely different contexts, like that of memes. I think everyone should read the book to understand some very important aspects of how our world works, and avoid common misconceptions related to natural selection... more
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| 6. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder |
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By: Richard Louv
Publisher: Algonquin Books
April 10, 2008
This book is a landmark book and defines the problem on nature deficient disorder in children in a completely convincing manner. The author has achieved his goal to make us aware of the growing problem of getting kids of all ages to be comfortable with dirt, animals and the natural world. Unfortunately, this book should have been paid attention to by the previous crop of parents, those people in my... more
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| 7. Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior |
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By: Temple Grandin, Catherine Johnson
Publisher: Scribner
February 02, 2010
As a neuropharmacology graduate student, I have realized that the key to great science are great observations.
Temple Grandin's unique mental assets has allowed her to make observations that a normal person is blind to. In particular, she observes a reality which eludes our senses. A reality that is very real and very important to our own lives... more
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| 8. Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things |
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By: William McDonough, Michael Braungart
Publisher: Tantor Media
August 11, 2008
During my studies in Denmark, I had the opportunity to join a presentation of Michael Braungart. I got more and more into his ideas and impressions of producing and using things in a different way. I love Michaels and Williams ideas. Thinking in another way. They say us: Don't save energy, materials... Use as much as you can and don't feel bad about it. The thing is extraction of resources, production... more
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| 9. Walking |
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By: Henry David Thoreau
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
September 01, 1995
Thoreau is always amazing regardless of which work I read. Walking is a great short read with numerous valuable ideas which aid in one's thinking. Whether you agree or disagree with Thoreau, you will be conditioned to think for yourself and decide what is best for you, making life all that much better. I highly recommend this book to any "Outdoor Philosopher".
Josh... more
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| 10. When Technology Fails: A Manual for Self-Reliance & Planetary Survival |
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By: Matthew Stein
Publisher: Clear Light Books
2001-01
From how to rid yourself of parasites, to how to build a shelter ... this book has it all. Lots of good 'how-to' and 'what-if' solutions for surviving without modern technology, medicine, power, etc. ... more
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Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
