Fabulous book

I am interested in all aspects that this book covered from gardening, nature, mental health and history from veterans of war to Freud to St. Hildegard of Bingen to Wordsworth and more! It’s quite impressive what she covers. You do not, however, need to be a gardener to enjoy this book. I listened to it and read the hard copy as I wanted to take in more and review what Sue Stuart Smith writes about so meticulously and beautifully. I always prefer books read by the author as there is an element of heart that often seems missing if one hasn’t a good reader or is not the writer. Her voice is soothing and lovely. I’m going to listen again! Loved it in so many ways.

6 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Fascinating book about mental health and gardening

I loved this book. The performance is sometimes stilted but the material makes up for it. There are great ideas here for mental health professionals and gardeners alike.

5 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Tremendous insight into the power of gardening

The book is nothing like I anticipated - it is much better. I anticipated a dry book on gardening and the mind. However, the stories combined with historical antidotes, made the book alive with insight that I embraced as someone who has gardened off and on for forty years but in 2020, embraced it like never before.

The stories, success, and insight along with the excellent narration, made the book more than anticipated. I highly recommend this book.

4 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Wonderful Book for Gardeners

This delightful, encouraging discussion and memoir of gardening is a resource for people who enjoy any kind of gardening (including having houseplants) and want to understand the therapeutic aspects of gardening in more depth. The author, a retired psychiatrist, discusses various treatment programs for mental and physical illnesses which involve gardening and spending time in gardens. For example, the author's grandfather, traumatized by his time as a WWI POW, was rehabilitated by gardening.

The author writes about the men in WWI who were stuck for long periods of time at the front lines. Some of them grew flowers or vegetables when they had the chance. It was something to help them keep a hold on their sanity.

It turns out that both Freud and Jung enjoyed being outdoors and working in a garden. Freud was very fond of orchids.

I was very interested in the discussion of prehistoric gardening. Researchers believe that some very ancient gardening was intended to produce especially desirable foods, such as figs. They also believe that ancient people grew gourds simply to make them into musical instruments. In other words, our remote ancestors enjoyed growing things. It wasn't all the drudgery of survival.

If you feel restored and energized by gardening, you will find much that explains the value of it in this book.

2 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

Much Needed for Society

Everyone needs to read this book. It’s a great documentation of how we all need nature amd gardening for our own health.

2 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

The Well-Gardened Mind

This book was recommended by a Climate Reality Leader colleague, and it was splendid.
I strongly recommend to everyone who wants to heal yourself and why not other people's minds.

2 les gens ont trouvé cela utile

A meditative journey through gardens.

Started this book in print and finished the last quarter on Audible. Listening to the author read and stress her points added a lot. She is a great story teller.

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Loved it!

Speed is a little slow, listen at 1.20 speed. The science, psychology and purpose of this book is amazing. It helped me find myself in my garden.

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Great View if Gardening From a Mental Perspective

Narrator was very good. The beginning and end were great. Parts if the middle didn't resonate with me as much. Very eye opening to hear the role of nature, growth and death on mental health.

1 personne a trouvé cela utile

A Worthy Read for a Lifetime of Reading

Everyone who exists should read this book, as we all are the beneficiaries, thus, the stewards of this world, Nature & the biodiversity within it. Such a fantastic read, and deeply peaceful.