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In Defense of Plants
- An Exploration into the Wonder of Plants
- Narrated by: Matthew Boston
- Length: 6 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Science & Engineering, Science
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Publisher's Summary
In his debut book, internationally recognized blogger and podcaster Matt Candeias celebrates the nature of plants and the extraordinary world of plant organisms.
A botanist's defense. Since his early days of plant restoration, this amateur plant scientist has been enchanted with flora and the greater environmental ecology of the planet. Now, he looks at the study of plants through the lens of his ever-growing houseplant collection.
The ruthless, horny, and wonderful nature of plants. Understand how plants evolve and live on Earth with a never-before-seen look into their daily drama. In this book, Candeias explores the incredible ways plants live, fight, have sex, and conquer new territory. Whether a blossoming botanist or a professional plant scientist, In Defense of Plants is for anyone who sees plant organisms as more than just static backdrops to more charismatic life forms.
In this easily accessible introduction to the incredible world of plants, you'll find fantastic botanical histories and plant symbolism, passionate stories of flora diversity and scientific names of plants, and personal tales of plantsman discovery through the study of plants.
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What listeners say about In Defense of Plants
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Brenda Mendoza
- 05-15-21
Great book - mediocre narration
This is a great little book introducing the wild and wacky world of plant physiology, phenologies and adaptations.
The narration is adequate but he pronounces most botanical terms a little strange. The one that irked me the most was pronouncing "trichomes" like "trickomes." Like, bruh, they're "TRY-chomes" as in tricycle. Most of these types of terms are pronounced a little funky. Didn't mar the book too much but a little annoying.
7 people found this helpful
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- Lisa
- 06-11-21
Fantastic book
The book itself was fantastic, my only wish was that Matt had narrated it himself. The narrator wasn't bad per say but Matt brings an enthusiasm when he talks that just can't be replicated.
4 people found this helpful
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- smotl
- 09-30-21
It’s like listening to a documentary
I liked the first and last chapters. The middle section was very scientific and a little unrelatable. It felt like it was written more for botanists or ecologists than for the common gardener.
3 people found this helpful
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- Waul
- 07-01-21
Fascinating
great book, narrator was good as well. I do kind of wish Matt would have just narrated it himself since a lot of its written in his own perspective. after binging the podcast it took me a few minutes to adjust to hearing someone else narrating thoughts.
2 people found this helpful
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- Vas Sladek
- 03-02-21
A brilliant book for plant lovers
The author collects great examples and explores them, hoping you'll get hooked on plants. And he succeeds, although I was already a plant lover. The examples are brilliant. I even discovered why the common blackberry I often fight in the landscape is so successful. Who knew that fish disperse seeds?
If you like botany and plants, get this book. You'll learn a great deal. I listened to the main plant chapters twice.
The narration is solid. I hope I'm this happy with all of my book purchases in 2021.
2 people found this helpful
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- James A. Miehls
- 05-24-22
overall easy to follow and enjoyable.
a little lacking in technical detail and the science aspects I was thinking it would have more of. otherwise an excellent listen
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- Zoogirl723
- 10-13-21
Try it Out
Love the author's podcast, and the content of this book. Did not enjoy the narration: strange breaks and cadence which detracted from the story. wish it was read more conversationally.
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- Yeti852
- 07-23-21
Enjoyable, accessible read for plant nerds
I heard about this book from the author’s podcast of the same name. Like the podcast, it opens up the world of botany and the role it plays in ecological preservation to lay people like myself, who has a keen but untrained interest in climate change and habitat loss. Most importantly, it’s entertaining and inspiring.
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- Christopher J. Maler
- 03-31-21
Excellent journey into the world of plants
This book is an enthusiastic exploration into the wonderful world of plants, from orchids to carnivorous plants to butterfly host plants this book has something for every plant lover.
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- Richard Kemp
- 03-15-21
Thought provoking
If this doesn’t get you worried, concerned, and fired about about plant conservation, nothing will.
Listen to his podcast of the same name!!
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- M Field
- 05-29-21
Purple pitcher plant...
Great book. But the narration would have been much better if Matt had done it.
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- Anonymous User
- 12-06-21
Mind Opening Ecology
This book shows how ecology is not just for the “nerdy scientist” but is relevant to all of us. The author gives examples of truly fascinating examples how plant life that baffles the mind. 10/10 would recommend to anyone!