Reviews for

Bringing Nature Home

How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens

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Media reviews of this book:

"Provides the rationale behind the use of native plants, a concept that has rapidly been gaining momentum. The impact on our environment is huge. The text makes a case for native plants and animals in a compelling and complete fashion."

—Joel M. Lerner, Washington Post, June 28, 2008

"If you cut down the goldenrod, the wild black cherry, the milkweed and other natives, you eliminate the larvae, and starve the birds. This simple revelation about the food web — and it is an intricate web, not a chain — is the driving force in Bringing Nature Home."

—Anne Raver, New York Times, March 6, 2008

"A fascinating study of the trees, shrubs, and vines that feed the insects, birds, and other animals in the suburban garden."

—Anne Raver, New York Times, December 6, 2007

"This book not only shows how important native plants are but also how easy they can be to incorporate into a landscape plan."

—Marianne Binetti, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 6, 2007

"We all know where resistance to natives, reliance on pesticides, and the cult of the lawn still reign supreme: suburban America. And suburban America is where Doug Tallamy aims the passionate arguments for natives and their accompanying wildlife contained in his wonderful book."

—Elizabeth Licata, Garden Rant, December 2, 2007

"I want to mention how excited I am about reading Bringing Nature Home. ... I like the writing — enthusiastic and down-to-earth, as it should be."

—Elizabeth Licata, Garden Rant, November 14, 2007

"An informative and engaging account of the ecological interactions between plants and wildlife, this fascinating handbook explains why exotic plants can hinder and confuse native creatures, from birds and bees to larger fauna."

—Ann Lovejoy, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 11, 2007

"Reading this book will give you a new appreciation for the natural world — and how much wild creatures need gardens that mimic the disappearing wild."

—Val Cunningham, Minneapolis Star Tribune, June 11, 2008

"This informative book delivers an important message for all gardeners: Choosing native plants fortifies birds and other wildlife and protects them from extinction."

—Jessie H. Barry, Wild Bird, May/June 2008

"Easy, thought-provoking, and stimulating to read."

—Ilene Sternberg, Green Scene, May/June 2008

"With Carsonic remonstrance, Tallamy communicates a hopeful message: it's not too late to save the ecological community of fauna and the answer is as simple as replacing foreign plants with natives."

—John Bagnasco, Garden Compass, Spring 2008

"I rank this as the most important gardening book I've read. It's about ecology and about gardening, but it's more than that. It's both inspiring and sobering."

—Janet Allen, Upstate Gardeners' Journal, March/April 2008

"What a delight ... to acknowledge that the voice of reason — and an eloquent one at that — has entered the fray. ... Fascinating insight that's presented in an engaging manner perfectly tuned for gardeners of every stripe. ... Worth your while."

—Felicia Parsons, Northern Gardener, March/April 2008

"Tallamy's tome is school-in-a-book for the nursery acquisitions person, the plant aficionado, the individual looking for the most effective and sensible way to grow a natural garden and support the environment."

—Bloomin' News, March/April 2008

"Filled with beautiful photographs of insects, plants, birds, and hard data presented in an easy-to-read style, Bringing Nature Home is a book every conservationist should read carefully."

—Kay Charter, Windstar Wildlife Institute Blog, February 3, 2008

"A book that plant lovers as well as insect lovers can enjoy."

—Wild Foods Forum, Winter 2008

"Tallamy builds his case with research-based facts enhanced with engaging personal stories. ... [He] offers inspirational native design ideas with a focus on creating balanced landscapes and increasing biodiversity. ... Logical and convincing, this book is an essential guide for anyone interested in increasing biodiversity in the garden."

—Deborah Smith-Fiola, American Gardener, January/February 2008

"Tallamy explains eloquently how native plant species depend on native wildlife. ... Dedicated gardeners will find his descriptions of the plants and insects (bird food) interesting."

—San Luis Obispo Tribune, December 21, 2007

"Filled with beautiful photographs of insects, plants, and birds and hard data presented in an easy-to-read style, 'Bringing Nature Home' will persuade all of us to take a look at what is in our own yards with an eye to how we, too, can make a difference. It has already changed me."

—Kay Charter, Traverse City Record-Eagle, December 5, 2007

"An eloquently written theory, offering recommendations for conservation to gardeners everywhere."

—Buffalo Spree, December 2007

"Makes a powerful case for native plants in our landscapes. This is a fascinating look at how importing exotic plants into your garden can negatively affect native birds, bees, and wildlife. Tallamy offers an engaging argument for the power of gardeners to contribute to maintaining biodiversity."

—Maia Eisen, Tacoma East King Trailhead, Winter 2007

Customer reviews of this book:

"The book is the key to the native species' habitat restoration and survival! It is the most important and urgently needed book I've ever found!"

—G. H. S. from MacHesney Park, Illinois, June 24, 2008

"Put this on upfront display in bookstores with the following caption: Stop wasting time, money, and effort on lobbying, research, and indiscriminate fanaticism and go out back and change the world at home."

—Anonymous, June 24, 2008

"Excellent and inspiring! Suggests very feasible ways to help the planet."

—Phyllis R. from White Plains, New York, April 5, 2008

"One of the best books I've ever read. It literally changed my life — personally and professionally."

—Rebecca K. from Newton, Massachusetts, April 3, 2008

"A fabulous book with support from science about natives and aliens, plus ideas on 'how-to.'"

—Jacqueline M. from Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, March 25, 2008

"Best gardening book I've read in years. Wish I'd had this book 50 years ago."

—Suzanne S. from Caledonia, New York, March 25, 2008

"This is an important book for gardeners and those who care about ecology and conservation. I would love to see it in every public library and high school/college. It fills a gap in educating citizens about the importance of native wildlife."

—Eve G. from Voorheesville, New York, February 19, 2008

"Excellent treatment of native plants' contribution to backyard ecology."

—Alistair A. from Newark, Delaware, February 9, 2008

"I absolutely loved this book. It taught me a lot about being a truly respectful gardener."

—Dominique B. from United States, January 28, 2008

"Brilliantly written and photographed. Encourage Dr. Tallamy to write more!"

—Gerald G. from New York, New York, December 28, 2007

"Excellent information for the small gardener like myself — a treasure trove of how to improve my environment."

—Sophie G. from Newington, Connecticut, December 5, 2007

"Excellent — should be in all schools and universities."

—Ro W. from Cape May, New Jersey, December 3, 2007