Customer Reviews

The Neighborhood Forager: Finding and Preparing Delicious Wild Foods Anywhere

5 star:		(7)
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3 star:		(2)
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I have owned this book for several years and read it cover to cover, most parts more than once. It is a good read and I like the way it is set up, and the author's enthusiasm is appreciated. There is much good information inside, but unfortunately, there is misinformation to a degree that I think is inexcusable. For example, the drawings of "evening primrose" actually show primrose, which is a totally different plant in an entirely different family. But the text clearly describes eating the root of evening primrose. So it seems like he didn't even know what evening primrose was, had never tried it, but copied his information on how to use it, even the description of its flavor, from another book. The text sure makes it sound like he's had experience from the plant. I think its disingenuous and a disservice to the reader. This is the most glaring example of many errors. Otherwise, it is a good book.

In The Neighborhood Forager: A Guide For The Wild Food Gourmet, Robert Henderson demonstrates that foraging for wild edibles is not difficult, nor does it require special equipment or traveling to some distant swamp or forest. Indeed, there is a bounty of harvestable foodstuffs to be found in the suburbs or the city. Profusely illustrated throughout, The Neighborhood Forager is organized into chapters based on plant type and is a complete "how to" introduction for the novice wild edibles gatherer covering hundreds of widespread, delicious, nutritious species of plants within easy reach of everyone. Henderson provides complete harvesting and drying tips; dyers notes for making natural dyes from plants); foraging advisors (identifying poisonous plans and "look-alikes"); more than 30 creative recipes; details on preserving and cooking; traditional and medicinal uses (with instructions for making herbal teas and other tonics), and more. From Mediterranean Turkey with Conifer Tips, Spruce Beer, and Marigold Vinegar, to Elderflower Champagne, Wild Greens Rockefeller, and Walnut Pickles, The Neighborhood Forager is a unique and practical guide for the wild food gourmet.

The Neighborhood Forager is a very informative and enjoyable book. It not only tells about the plants in our backyards and by-ways but gives historical information, recipes, warnings and dyer's tips.

Mr. Henderson writes with humor and personal anecdotes which makes the book a good read even if you're not into foraging.

I haven't met many people who can point out at least ten different plants in the average yard and can tell you how to cook them. Mr. Henderson does an outstanding job of identifying wild, and not-so-wild, edibles common to almost every neighborhood. His recipes are easy to follow and delicious.

Even if you are not planning to run right out to the nearest shrub and harvest its leaves for dinner, I recommend this book. Mr. Henderson's prose is worth reading, whatever the content. His witty, humorous style enlivens a book full of excellent information.

This book is highly informative about plants growing in our yards and the countryside around us. Mr. Henderson writes with humor but is still serious about his subject. The book is a good read even if you're not interested in foraging. It includes bits of history about foodstuffs as well as carefully documented warnings about eating strange things.

I found the recipes enticing and the information on dyes an extra plus.

I am not a forager, but recieved this book as a gift. I live on several acres which include nuts, berries, and fruit which I pick in their season. The friend who gave me this book obviously saw more potential in my land than these obvious delicacies. Since reading Robin Henderson's book, The Neighbourhood (they spelled the title incorrectly) Forager, I am beginning to see this potential as well. I've many of the trees, shrubs and weeds refered to in this book in my yard, let alone in the fields. Beer and wine, salads and soups, teas and remedies can be complemented by my backyard discoveries. Some new hobbies and cookbooks require heavy investment after the cost of the book. The nice part about this book is that you've already got what you need. The black and white photos as well as colour plates are great. I said, "Hey, we've got some of that!" several times. I can't say that I am a forager yet, but it's fun to play with and the book makes it easy.

I was amazed at all the information this book gave me. I have learned so many things, to see all the bounty we can have in our own backyard! Practical and easy to read. I recommend this book to all nature and food lovers.

And it's strange because he has both Oenothera and Primula in the book (the first as an edible, the second as a medicinal) but can't tell the difference between drawings of them (and they look nothing alike) which also says to me he's never actually used them but is drawing from someone else's information. He's also mistaken regarding white oak acorns, many of which (including the Gambel's, the Chestnut, and the Oregon) are sweet and palatable right off the tree and require no leaching, and does not provide information regarding how to distinguish white from red oaks. He is also incorrect in inferring, in the section on prickly pear, that "other species of cactus are edible as well" -- so I have to say that this book is an interesting resource for the more experienced forager, but not for the novice apt to take such information at face value. As Sam Thayer also advises: USE MULTIPLE REFERENCE SOURCES for all information when you first start out foraging, and ask questions!

This book is wonderful. I paid full price for it and would gladly do so again in order to give it as a gift to others. I highly recomend it.