I stumbled across this book in the library in 1994 and read the first few chapters about biodynamic organics and thought, "This is too far out for me!" I read MB's review, and I can understand how he feels, as this stuff is way outside the realm of mainstream thinking. However, by the time I had finished the last chapter, stuffing manure in cow horns seemed downright normal. So I thought, why not give biodynamic organics a try?
Now, 13 years and many gardens later, I am totally sold on this method. There are not enough years in my life to try all the other things in this book, but I don't need to since I am so pleased with how biodynamic organics has improved the soil in my sandy garden. It is now teeming with earthworms, and my soil is becoming friable, instead of sifting through my fingers like sand on the beach.
This book has been in and out of print a few times. I lent my first copy to someone and never saw it again, was elated when the book came back in print and am now more careful with my new copy. This book is a gem, and one that I refer to again and again. I have visited the Josephine Porter Institute and Perelandra, two places mentioned in the first and last chapters, just because I had to see for myself what was going on.
Too often, just because we cannot measure something, we don't give it credibility. But guess what? The Earth wasn't flat until the day we devised the instruments to measure its roundness. And so biodynamic organics and many of the other farming methods outlined in this book have validity even without a "scientific" way to measure their efficacy. I measure by counting worms!
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Secrets of the Soil : New Solutions for Restoring Our Planet Paperback – January 1, 1998
by
Peter Tompkins
(Author),
Christopher Bird
(Author)
|
Christopher Bird
(Author)
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Print length422 pages
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LanguageEnglish
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PublisherEarthpulse Pr
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Publication dateJanuary 1, 1998
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Dimensions5.75 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
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ISBN-101890693243
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ISBN-13978-1890693244
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Product details
- Publisher : Earthpulse Pr; 2002nd edition (January 1, 1998)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 422 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1890693243
- ISBN-13 : 978-1890693244
- Item Weight : 1.35 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.75 x 1.25 x 8.75 inches
-
Best Sellers Rank:
#978,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #148 in Soil Science (Books)
- #2,103 in Ancient & Controversial Knowledge
- #3,364 in Environmental Science (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
88 global ratings
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2007
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66 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2013
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An incredibly important work revealing the fundamental roll indigenous peoples had on the "paradise" that CA was when white settlers "discovered" it. Tompkins extensively researches CA's topo-geographic history by way of scientific testing, language histories, and stories gathered from indigenous elders that reveal CA was carefully tended: allowing large animals to graze through pastureland by using fire, collection and redistribution of seeds and tubers, language born directly from millenia of wisdom gained from living with the land, among other insights. There is so much we can learn about regenerating CA's environment if property owners and the state parks would only pay attention. It took two centuries for white man to catch on, only because we are at a tipping point and few, like Tompkins, are finally dedicating themselves to unburying the wisdom that went down with the genocide of a brilliant people.
11 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2013
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This book points out the tragic consequences of substituting the marvels of nature for the chemical onslaught of Agra business cartels. More importantly, it shows the valiant work done by real soil scientists and real farmers whose experience at restoring land offer us all one last chance to garden and farm to produce wholesome food and thus restore health to a world now encountering major illnesses brought on by the fury of the ever increasing use of pesticides, fungicides and chemical fertilizers.
Once you read this book you will understand the feeding of a growing population is quite attainable. The fundamentals to enriching the soil are amply demonstrated and apply to every tiny garden plot up to and including large cattle ranches. Phenomenal harvests are made possible by the techniques demonstrated. Healthy cattle which, under the proper grazing of free range, have a beneficial affect on the environment not to mention the high quality of the meat.
This book should be required reading in every high school and should supplant the material now served up in University Soils Departments who, tragically, have let chemical firms dictate the agenda for the last generation or so.
Once you read this book you will understand the feeding of a growing population is quite attainable. The fundamentals to enriching the soil are amply demonstrated and apply to every tiny garden plot up to and including large cattle ranches. Phenomenal harvests are made possible by the techniques demonstrated. Healthy cattle which, under the proper grazing of free range, have a beneficial affect on the environment not to mention the high quality of the meat.
This book should be required reading in every high school and should supplant the material now served up in University Soils Departments who, tragically, have let chemical firms dictate the agenda for the last generation or so.
11 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2015
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Wonderful Read. Brings life and Spirit back to the plant world. If you are in touch with what you feel deep inside is real you will really enjoy this book. If you are a technical, baffled scientist type, you likely won't like it at all. Secret Life of Plants is equally a wonderful read.
9 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2012
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Everyone should read this...I can't give this book enough stars!
It's a slow read only because just about every page is so compelling that I have to put it down, to smile in amazement, and think about what I just read...truly astounding and I love the easy meditation time it gives me...it really is that moving. Your view on the world beneath your feet will definitely change (as vast and intriguing as the deepest ocean) and if it doesn't make you more spiritual, it will certainly make you respect the very small, living creatures this world takes for granted.
It will also bring about a bit of sadness as the modern era is the first of any time/culture to treat the small so terribly. From the ancients, to Egypt, to the 1800's, the small creatures were respected (as they should be) and were even considered sacred (to protect them from the fears of the uneducated common folk).
Even if you have no interest in gardening, READ THIS BOOK! You will be humbled and amazed.
It's a slow read only because just about every page is so compelling that I have to put it down, to smile in amazement, and think about what I just read...truly astounding and I love the easy meditation time it gives me...it really is that moving. Your view on the world beneath your feet will definitely change (as vast and intriguing as the deepest ocean) and if it doesn't make you more spiritual, it will certainly make you respect the very small, living creatures this world takes for granted.
It will also bring about a bit of sadness as the modern era is the first of any time/culture to treat the small so terribly. From the ancients, to Egypt, to the 1800's, the small creatures were respected (as they should be) and were even considered sacred (to protect them from the fears of the uneducated common folk).
Even if you have no interest in gardening, READ THIS BOOK! You will be humbled and amazed.
11 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2012
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Modern humans are sadly deficient in knowledge of the importance in the health of our soil. That health is predicated by an awareness and knowledge of the importance of the numbers and diversity of micro-organisms(mostly bacteria) in the soil and that those numbers and diversity have been decimated by the gross overuse of chemical fertilizer, pesticides and herbicides. Anyone interested in learning the needed knowledge to reverse this travesty promoted by the greed of the chemical companies must read this book. Anyone interested in improving their health, that of their loved ones and the planet must read this book.
10 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2013
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This would make an excellent companion to THE SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS, however,
THE SECRETS OF THE SOIL contains nearly exactly the same information. I cannot recall anything that was new information.
I do like the authors writing style so would recommend this book, none the less.
THE SECRETS OF THE SOIL contains nearly exactly the same information. I cannot recall anything that was new information.
I do like the authors writing style so would recommend this book, none the less.
3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Title explains it all, you want to know the secret of the spil!!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2020Verified Purchase
A bit boring but some information that is passed on in this book is worth a fortune!!!Therefore It’s worth buying.
J.A.. Gale
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 4, 2018Verified Purchase
MUCH VALUED BOOK FROM EARLIER TIMES IN MY LIFE
G. A. Jones
4.0 out of 5 stars
Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 18, 2016Verified Purchase
There are some useful tips in here
Wim
5.0 out of 5 stars
Of all the crazy books out there, this one ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 15, 2015Verified Purchase
Of all the crazy books out there, this one is both mind blowing and practical.
It has become my new Bible on agricultural insights.
It has become my new Bible on agricultural insights.
SD TAYLOR
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 14, 2015Verified Purchase
Fascinating vision
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