Customer Reviews

Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
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Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth by William Bryant Logan is an enlightening and heartening read for anyone who studies the earth in science or daily living. Although a few of the factoids are not quite correct (watch that logarithmic scale!), this book is full of fascinating science of the soil, surrounded by heartfelt prose. Logan makes earth-centered philosophy accessible to anyone who has ever had a gut feeling that the land is good. The religion of the soil he presents is unobtrusive, yet all-pervading. Read it and feel good.

A galaxy of stars! Dirt is unique, unlike any other book I've read. (Bill Logan tends to write books like that -- his new one, Oak: The Frame of Civilization, is also unlike anything I've read, including Dirt.) The essay format works well. Logan's writing is cogent, witty, at times poignant; his imagination is fantastic. Rousing and satisfying my curiosity, he asks intriguing questions, and in seeking answers follows paths I would not have thought of but am glad to be led down by such a brilliant, quirky, earthy guide. Technicalities of soil science and geology are illuminated by personal experience and reflection on spirituality, childhood dreams Ilike digging to China), and encounters with masters of human achievement. This book may be ten years old but it's still exciting and provocative. I'm pleased to hear it is to be the subject of a documentary film; I hope that will lead to a reprint of this book, which is long overdue.

I feel in love with this book. Bought it as a gift and had much trouble giving it up. What a beautiful testimony to the earthly process of life and death in which we all participate. Logan's cross-disciplinary commentary was heartfelt and informative. I have told everyone I know to read it. It is magnificent.

Book Review "Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth" William Bryant Logan Riverhead Books © 1995 The Berkley Publishing Group New York Available in Paperback William Bryant Logan writes about a substance that most take for granted and choose not to learn about. Soil is all around and is the life sustaining substance. It should be treated with care and respect. Readers at once will feel at ease with the writing style employed by Logan. Technical terminology is seemingly hidden within the prose. Disguised so that it is does not intimidate the casual reader, yet it informs. The style makes this effort a must read for those who appreciate quality writing. One might not expect to find references to Jefferson, Emerson, Mary Magdalene, and Roger Williams along with a description of the efforts of the dung beetle and the earthworm. Yet, Logan is able to introduce us to "Compost Man" and George Perkins Marsh with equal ease and skill. Logan explains the origin of the word "dirt" [excrement from the Old Norse] and introduces us to the teeming vat of bacteria living within the soil. In the chapter titled The Soil of Graves, Logan describes in morbid detail the negative effects of embalming humans. This book would make a wonderful read for anyone interested in Geography, Earth Science or Environmental Science. I would encourage you to copy [with permission] portions for your class to read. All manner of resources on planet Earth are destined to become recycled: dirt to dirt. Money Back Guarantee: 1] Buy and read the book "Dirt: The Ecstatic Skin of the Earth". 2] After reading the book, if you are not pleased with your purchase, return to the bookstore and ask for a full refund. 3] I don't guarantee that you will receive a refund, just that you have the right to ask.

A well-written and researched tribute to the mysterious medium that provides the foundation for life on earth. A series of short stories that paint a colorful picture of how soil evolved with the earth.

certainly not "DOWN AND DIRTY". highly recommended, very informative

and it makes one appreciative of the earth (dirt)...

The writer has an interesting approach to the subject matter and presents a unique aspect to something we depend on for our very survival. My interest comes from 28 years of professional work with soil conservation and the fact that this writer was referenced in an upcoming movie about
"Dirt". I recommend this book to see different viewpoints.

This is an awesome quirky book I picked up in the science section. I loved this book, it is not about soil, rocks, sand, or anything but dirt and everything it is involved with. It is not like anything I have ever read. It is kind of like a mish-mash of awesome interrelated essays held together by dirt. I learned more from this book than many others, just random tidbits about the science of dirt. It kind of reminds me of that awesome show Connection that used to be on Discovery pre the meathead motorcycle crap fest that forced me away from that channel years ago. Thank God for PBS.

I gave this book to my senior science teacher, he turned it into a lecture curriculum for our earth science class. My personal favorite essay is about the dirt of graveyards, it covers everything from how formaldehyde poisons the ground to a rousing ending on the science and a play by play breakdown of the decomposition of a human body.

I just found out about the author's other book on oak five minutes ago and will definitely read it, soon.

Dirt: the Ecstatic Skin of the Earth has changed my life by adding a whole knew realm of knowledge and amazement. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone became aware of the life under our feet and how our human lives and the life of the smallest microbe are interwoven? Becoming aware of how dirt is made and is alive is fascinating and fills me with awe.

This is a great book for anyone interested in some of the lesser known facets of dirt, soil, and where it all fits. It's a fairly easy read, with short chapters broken into sections. It is humorous as well, keeping my attention along the way. Being a geologist, I'm not too keen as to why Logan included so many Christian biblical references in a more science-oriented book, but he still keeps the book fairly open and does not jump too deep into the science that might make the book hard to comprehend to a reader with no prior geologic knowledge. I enjoyed reading it, often finding it hard to put down. There is some occasional foul language due to dialog between Logan and the people along his journey to understand dirt, just an fyi.