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  • Braiding Sweetgrass

  • Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
  • Written by: Robin Wall Kimmerer
  • Narrated by: Robin Wall Kimmerer
  • Length: 16 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (1,271 ratings)

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Braiding Sweetgrass

Written by: Robin Wall Kimmerer
Narrated by: Robin Wall Kimmerer
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Publisher's Summary

As a botanist and professor of plant ecology, Robin Wall Kimmerer has spent a career learning how to ask questions of nature using the tools of science. As a Potawatomi woman, she learned from elders, family, and history that the Potawatomi, as well as a majority of other cultures indigenous to this land, consider plants and animals to be our oldest teachers.

In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer brings these two lenses of knowing together to reveal what it means to see humans as "the younger brothers of creation". As she explores these themes, she circles toward a central argument: The awakening of a wider ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgement and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the world. Once we begin to listen for the languages of other beings, we can begin to understand the innumerable life-giving gifts the world provides us and learn to offer our thanks, our care, and our own gifts in return.

©2013 Robin Wall Kimmerer (P)2016 Tantor

Editorial Review

It is only by understanding what came before that we can truly understand ourselves.

Braiding Sweetgrass is a moving and beautiful book by Robin Wall Kimmerer that looks at the teachings of plants, from both a botanist’s perspective and a spiritual point of view. Robin Kimmerer is an indigenous scientist and member of the citizen Potawatomi nation. Drawing on an understanding of ecology and a deep scientific knowledge, Kimmerer explores Indigenous wisdom which celebrates the beauty, history and lessons that can be learned in the natural world. An intelligent blending of Native American and science, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants addresses ecological consciousness and the impact that the natural world has on us as humans.

Kimmerer's book is both a non-fiction study of plants and a spirit-based reflection on being connected to all living things and affirming their role in the larger circle of life. By acknowledging the living world as an entity in itself, Kimmerer views plants as the universe's oldest teachers. She uses this understanding of nature, as seen by indigenous people, to explore feelings of deep compassion, connection and knowledge associated with the natural world.

This audiobook adaptation is narrated by Kimmerer herself, which allows her passion and voice to shine through the work and connect with the listener on a deeper level. Her warm, understanding spirit shines through with both her words and her performance right through to the last page. Named by Literary Hub as the best essay collection of the decade and a New York Times best seller, Braiding Sweetgrass effortlessly moves through each essay to create a large picture and understanding of indigenous science and wisdom. Lovers of this audiobook will also enjoy Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses.

What listeners say about Braiding Sweetgrass

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wisdom and science.


all about reciprocity to the natural world through teachings of aboriginals complemented with Science. Her narration has a very nurturing tone which flows somewhat effortless in her words. Many would think this is real "hippie dippie bullshit", but I found it a valuable book with many good teachings and lessons. I highly recommend this book... in a good way.

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A Poetic Scientific Treatise that Braids the Past, the Present with the Possibilities for a Better Future

Rarely, if ever, have I had the pleasure to listen and learn from such eloquence, wisdom and compassion. Robin literally signs insight from the pits of eco-despair and the travesties of colonization to shine as a beacon of optimism and nurture our own seeds for a positive change regardless of the depth of cynicism that lies with us who feel the pain of the planet.

This is a manifesto of humility grounding in the irreplaceable value of reciprocity for all of us to go forth amidst the complexity and become stewards, empowered by knowledge, simple actions and love.

Thank you!!
#Audible1

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Amazing

Best Audible book yet. Author narration was perfection, enjoyed her style so very much #Audible1

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  • 2018-01-30

Written and read with perfection

This is a book I will listen to & read again. Like a piece of music or a song that truly speaks to me.

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Highly recommended

Thank you Robin for this thoughtful and thought-provoking book, and for your lovely voice in the audiobook. You have changed my way of seeing the world.

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A lament for and a celebration of Mother Earth

A must read for all humankind using the extra large spoons in the one bowl.

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Sweet whispers in my ear

I learned about this book and author from my most cherished podcast, Ologies by Alie Ward. This book got me to look at world around me differently and to consider more ancient ways of knowing to enhance my understanding of science.

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A must read

I absolutely loved this book. Joyous, affirming, and spiritual. A true celebration of our holistic natural world.

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Best book I have ever read

Each chapter of this book explores nature through the eyes of a botanist and the eyes of an indigenous woman with traditional knowledge. Robin Wall Kimmerer has both of these lenses at her disposal due to her education and her ancestry. On top of that ability for two-eyed seeing, Kimmerer is a wonderful storyteller and has a pleasing voice to deliver her messages. I was left wondering how anyone could be so multi-gifted!

The stories examine the interconnectedness of nature and the relationship between humans and the species around us. I found the book educational, moving, inspiring and enlightening, and feel I am a better person for reading it.

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b-e-a-utiful

Empathy inducing anecdotal stories seamlessly woven with botany. Robin's ability to simultaneously bolster and shake a strictly "scientific" aka Western approach to understanding plants and our human relationship to them and the environment is admirable.

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