Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants

Written by:
Robin Wall Kimmerer
Narrated by:
Robin Wall Kimmerer

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
569
Narrator
107
Release Date
July 2016
Duration
16 hours 46 minutes
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.
Reviews
Profile Avatar
Doniel H.

Absolutely vital perspective! This woman, who’s voice we are so fortunate to hear on this audiobook, has offered a gift of understanding to all who wish to hear it. Please listen. Please share. Our whole community, who participated in this as a book club, are more enriched humans because we have read this. We are more patient parents, more peaceful and grateful stewards of our environment. Please listen. Please share

Profile Avatar
Shelly W.

Wonderful reminder that its the seemingly little things that offer back the biggest love. Loved hearing the elation in her voice as she describes the natural beauty that too often goes unnoticed & unloved all around us. Worth a re-listen or two.

Profile Avatar
Pen G.

This would have to be one of the best reads I have come across in the last two years. The insight and depth of knowledge and culture kept me wanting more. I felt I could sit and listen to Robin for hours even days just soaking up the old people’s ways and her impressive knowledge and connection. This is a must read.

Profile Avatar
Cassandra C.

Love it Warms the heart feeds the soul.

Profile Avatar
SARAH H.

Truely beautiful

Profile Avatar
Heather P.

Fabulous. I bought a printed copy of the book, but because I frequently find my vision blurring over, due the amount of computer work I do, I am really limited in the amount of time I have for reading. Now I can rest my eyes and let the amazing voice of the author transport me. I am intentionally choosing authors who present indigenous ways of knowing and consider this the best book I have read to date. It is beautifully written, insightful and worth savouring. I recommend it to everyone.

Profile Avatar
Wes H.

This book is seriously incredible. Changed the way I think about the world entirely. Please please please give this book a try.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

This book was like no other. It was a revelation...a homecoming. I was spellbound by the subject matter and the reader’s voice. A real eye opener.

Profile Avatar
McKenzie Bottoms

An affecting and eye-opening memoir read by the well-spoken author.

Profile Avatar
Lisa H.

incredible book and author

Profile Avatar
Isa M.

Truly a work of healing and inspiration. Listening to Robin Wall Kimmerer narrate her work is a sweet gift that gently, yet firmly, grounds the listener in contemplations of relationship, reciprocity, and restoration. I feel opened to greater depths of connection with the other than human world around me, and find her stories flowing back to me as I move through the day. So grateful for this work!

Profile Avatar
Anna M.

one if the most beautifully written and inspiring books I've read this year. the narrators voice is easy to listen to and adds meaning the content. this booked challenged me to be more mindful of how I love and what my relationship with creation should look like. definitely worth listening too

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

This incredible book is truly life altering. The way I view life will forever be changed.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

Oh dear. I thought I was buying a book about ecology. I guess it touches lightly on it but is much more an autobiography of someone that sees the world with rose tinted glasses. The spirituality embedded in the book is as sweet and sickly as the maple syrup referred to. Yes, I’m happy to go along with the idea we should be more in ‘harmony’ with nature and the world that sustains us. But nature is also a brutal struggle for survival. Life forms are generally prepared to do what they have to continue. I gave up the book. Which is extremely rare for me to do. But it just didn’t cut the mustard. Although I’m sure there are a zillion old hippies that will rate it highly.

Profile Avatar
DUDA

such a wonderful gorgeous book. a must for anyone who cares about kindness love and empathy for pur planet.

Profile Avatar
Ash L.

Amazing. A must-listen for anyone who seeks to struggle for the dispossessed and the living world.

Profile Avatar
Nikki E.

Thoroughly enjoyed the lyrical way the author uses story telling and metaphors that speak to so many parts of major life challenges as well as daily struggles. Highly recommend

Profile Avatar
Hazel C.

Everyone should listen / read this book. Read by the author, she helps us to remember where we came from and realize how lost and separate we’ve become from nature .

Profile Avatar
Brandy N.

I will listen to this book many more times. The beliefs and practices of the indigenous are so logical and beautiful and we so need to incorporate their ways back into our ugly lives.

Profile Avatar
Kelli S.

The Arthur’s perspective is beautiful and refreshing. Love the stories, poetry and scientific info in this enlightening book.

Profile Avatar
Victoria M.

My favorite book! Second read :)

Profile Avatar
Ethan Z.

This is a beautifully crafted, eco- informative, powerful book. Kimmerer is a siren of truth, respect, and wisdom, illuminating a cathartic call to honor real simplicity, harmony, and a sense of earthly balance.

Profile Avatar
Damon P.

Such a meaningful book it brought tears to my eyes as I saw and understood what we lost. It is not a book of poetry but comes across that way as she talks about the science and the science of life as it once was. I loved how she intermingle both in to a dance of life giving good insight and understanding that if we are going to survive ourselves we will need both. Simply said it is a beautiful book which I will highly recommend to all to read.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

So very well written, enjoyed this audio book so much!!!!

Profile Avatar
Pilarica

Absolutely beautifully read and what a story! I want to take one of Robin’s classes.

Profile Avatar
Krisha V.

i wish that everyone could read this book. the teachings it brings are truly life-changing and have brought about a new way of thinking in everything i see and do. indigeneity has been our past and should be our present and future too

Profile Avatar
Crystal D.

Beautifully written, urgently important content on the current political, economic, environmental, and social climate. Thank you for sharing all of this, Robin Wall Kimmerer!

Profile Avatar
Willow B.

Amazing read gave me way more knowledge and wisdom than I was expecting for sure.

Profile Avatar
Kate T.

This book is magical. I didn’t have any expectations going in- only the good ratings. It did not disappoint. The narrator was perfect for the story.

Profile Avatar
Judith B.

This is an absolute must read for anyone concerned about climate change and looking for a way to address it.

Profile Avatar
Reasha W.

My new favourite book!

Profile Avatar
Christine L.

This book should be a required in every school. It should be made into a movie for the whole world to view. Chippewa Band member

Profile Avatar
Shar V.

a life-changing book.

Profile Avatar
Freya H.

Love love , her voice is so soothing . I just love everything about this book!

Profile Avatar
Suzanne S.

Profoundly wonderful and important work. Hearing it in her own voice makes listening to her words that hold her research, broad knowledge and deep wisdom so authentic that they are lifechanging. The difference between the imported European way of life and the whole NA mindset makes me weep for all that was lost to ignorance and hubris. It makes her gift of this book even more worthy of everyone's thought, time and action. Agreeing with Doniel...Please Listen... Please Share...

Profile Avatar
Karen S.

I love this book so much! The content is so gracefully and engagingly blended from science, personal experience and indigenous wisdom - but the author’s reading also brings an engaging, personal and silken quality to experiencing the book. I wish I could carve out the section describing Pacific rain forest rainfall, I’d listen to this over and over like a favorite piece of music.

Profile Avatar
Kristen B.

Beautiful, insightful and touching. After reading the paperback book twice and cherishing many of the stories, being able to hear the author narrate her own book added another layer of understanding. I'd highly recommend it to everyone!

Profile Avatar
Phyllis S.

This is one of the better books I have read all year. This author speaks from her own knowledge and passion of Mother Earth. This is a book that should be required of all students and then discussed thoroughly. Such wisdom, candor, gentleness, and history. So much is packed into this book. I have already recommended it to several friends. I suggest everyone read and listen.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

A lovely, warm, and evocative book about botany, Indigenous knowledge, stories, the need for reconciliation, and reciprocity with the Earth. The work provides a wonderful model of the complementarity of knowledges that Kimmerer advocates. Several friends had recommended this to me, and I will recommend it to others. It is a book that I expect to stick with me and to lead me to a shifted view of the world.

1 book added to cart
Subtotal
$22.49
View Cart