I am a senior biology major focusing on environmental biology. I was introduced to Pollan in my botany class by reading "Botany of Desire". The next year I picked up "Omnivore's Dilemma" for personal reading and I have recommended it to colleages and friends due to its multi-dimensional take on the current food situation in the States. I totally would have loved to read this in a class because it peaked my curiosity in facets of biology I never knew existed.
________________________________ From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news on behalf of William Silvert Sent: Tue 2/26/2008 10:28 AM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] summer reading with an ecologic/environmental theme I'm glad to see that you mentioned Michael Pollan. His "Omnivore's Dilemma" is not explicitly an environmental book, but his account of the impacts of corn cultivation in the US is an extremely effective presentation of how agriculture impacts the environment, and given the current interest in corn-based ethanol about as appropriate as any ecology book could be. For me it is the best book on the interaction of humans with our environment that I have read in years. Bill Silvert ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kraemer, George" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU> Sent: Tuesday, February 26, 2008 1:34 AM Subject: [ECOLOG-L] summer reading with an ecologic/environmental theme Our campus theme next year will be "environment." Although it's defined broadly enough to include all constituencies, it presents the opportunity to reach about 500 freshmen with a back-door campaign of environmental literacy. I am soliciting the ECOLOG group for suggestions for pre-college summer reading with an environmental theme. It would have to be something that would capture the minds of 17-18 year olds, and should lend itself to discussions that might allow diverse discipline to have a say. Barbara Kingsolver's "Prodigal Summer" or Michael Pollan's books came first to mind. But there must be other things out there that I've missed. Since this might be of interest to others, please respond to the list. GPK George P. Kraemer Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Biology Chair, Environmental Studies Program Purchase College (SUNY)
