‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ Review: Science Alone Can’t Save Us

“Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants” is a memoir written by botanist, author and Director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment Robin Wall Kimmerer. Native American folklore, personal essays and science are interwoven — like the three strands of sweetgrass that form a braid — to invoke readers to better understand and care about the natural world. Reciprocity is a key theme explored in the book. Kimmerer’s premise is that building a reciprocal relationship between humans and nature is key to saving our planet.

In this “Braiding Sweetgrass” review, we’ll explore whether Kimmerer effectively presents her case. Then, you decide whether you feel inspired to change the way you live to impact the future of our planet.

‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ Summary: Part Indigenous Memoir, Part Environmental Education

In 2013 author Robin Wall Kimmerer, a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, wrote “Braiding Sweetgrass,” a memoir that illuminates myriad ways Indigenous cultures maintain a reciprocal relationship with living beings and our earth. She shares stories rife with examples of plants and animals working together in a synergistic manner. Other stories demonstrate how harvesting different plants in a thoughtful manner improves their ability to thrive. Kimmerer presents evidence that most humans feel entitled to take from the earth without giving anything back. Her book iterates the dire consequences on our planet and educates readers so they can better understand and care for the natural world.

The New York Times best-selling memoir is, in her own words, “a braid of stories meant to heal our relationship with the world.” Braiding is a bonding experience, said Kimmerer, which works best when two people work together. “Sweetgrass, which translates to the hair of Mother Earth in the Potawatomi language, is traditionally braided to show loving care for her well-being.

The braiding of sweetgrass is repeatedly used as a metaphor throughout this book. The three strands that are interwoven in this story, which the author presents as a pathway to healing the earth, are:

1. Indigenous ways
2. Scientific knowledge
3. Personal narrative

In summary, Kimmerer believes that establishing a synergistic relationship with the natural world is key to food security, a healthy planet, and even human mental health. While the earth suffers from human negligence, people in our technological era are breathing polluted air, consuming contaminated food and water, and often experiencing a sense of isolation and depression.

‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ Audience and Genre: For Environmentalists, Not for Climate Change Deniers and Hardcore Christians

“Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants” is relevant to every human being living on Earth. People who feel an intimate connection with the natural world and care about the planet’s future will likely savor this book. People who are in denial about the human impact on global temperatures and the health of our earth in general may resist reading this book. People in the Millennial and Gen Z generations are likely to be drawn to this book because they and future generations are acutely threatened by climate change.

Braiding Sweetgrass is unique from any other book I’ve ever read. There’s nothing stereotypical about this book. Science, personal experiences and Indigenous customs and folklore are intertwined in a lyrical and compelling way that incites deep emotion and experience.

Christians may be offended by references to the book of Genesis in the Bible suggesting they encourage dominion over rather than respect for nature. Some American readers may take offense to the author’s story and the subsequent discussion about her daughter’s rebellion against reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at school.

Three Cs: Compelling, Clear, Concise

Editorial Note: We believe these three factors are important for evaluating general writing quality across every aspect of the book. Before you get into further analysis, here’s a quick breakdown to clarify how we’re using these words:

• Compelling: Does the author consistently write in a way that would make most readers emotionally invested in the book’s content?
• Clear: Are most sentences and parts of the book easy enough to read and understand?
• Concise: Are there sections or many sentences that could be cut? Does the book have pacing problems?

Compelling: Nostalgia for Lost Earth

‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ invokes deep emotions through various techniques, particularly the nostalgic sharing of the author’s experiences. Readers experience scenes of immersion in the earth’s beauty alongside tragic examples of pessimal treatment and devastation of the earth. These stories transport the reader to the forest, the river, the sea, the snowy landscape, enabling them to experience drenched clothes in a downpour, bone-chilling cold on a snowy day and the feel of damp earth on the fingertips. Kimmerer’s stories brought back childhood memories of summers and free time spent outdoors.

The author often transports readers to places in the past and present so they can experience how the beauty of an area has been degraded due to human thoughtlessness. In the instance of Onondaga Lake, she shares how this once sacred place transformed into a Superfund site after companies dumped chemical waste and sewage into the waters and how today nature and some thoughtful human beings are working to bring it back into balance.

Readers are likely to flash back to days they once spent in outdoor spaces they connected to that were once beautiful and have since then transformed into dirty lakes, parking lots, malls or outdoor spaces surrounded by freeways. Readers may feel a sense of loss over how our world has changed, inciting them to want to reestablish a lost relationship with nature and possibly live differently or take other proactive steps.

Kimmerer shares examples of synergistic relationships between Native people and plants, which hammer home her reciprocity theme.

The author also spotlights the plight of the Native American people. Reading stories of how children were taken from their families and sent off to boarding schools — largely to strip them of their traditional ways of living and speaking — is an unpleasant reminder of the history of America many of us would prefer to forget.

Clear: From a Professor Who Knows How to Write Well, But There Are Some Unclear Locations and Scientific Parts

Kimmerer communicates through her writing in an educated, articulate way. She has an ability to bring nature to life through words in a way that brings readers onto the scene and enables them to fully experience the natural world through her vivid descriptions.

This work is free of typographical errors and incorrect grammar. The book’s publisher, Milkweed Editions, provided professional editing services that resulted in a top-notch final edition.

The main theme of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book is reciprocity, and the way she presents it is clear and well-articulated. She also compares mother-daughter relationships to nature’s nurturing ways.

Geographical location is sometimes difficult to pinpoint in some chapters. Pinpointing locations in all of the chapters would have further improved the reading experience.

Kimmerer is a PhD and a Professor of Environmental Biology. The book weaves in detailed scientific descriptions, which may be difficult for some readers to grasp or may not hold their interest. This book is not a fast-paced read or ideal to read in one sitting. Savoring it in small doses is likely to work best for most readers.

Concise: Mostly Good, Occasionally Slow, Especially in Scientific Parts

Occasionally, the pacing felt slow, and I found myself needing to reread for better comprehension. Pacing seemed the slowest in the in-depth science sections. Perhaps these sections could have been condensed or written in a simpler way to better retain reader interest.

Prose Style: Braiding of Metaphors, Nature and Science

Kimmerer’s compelling use of language and vivid descriptions make ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ a delight to read. I’ve chosen a few examples below to share.

The braiding of sweetgrass is often used as a metaphor for interconnectedness, love and gratitude. There are many other nature and connectedness metaphors in the book.

“There is such tenderness in braiding the hair of someone you love…When we braid sweetgrass, we are braiding the hair of Mother Earth, showing her our loving attention, our care for her beauty and well-being, in gratitude for all she has given us.”

The author believes science alone isn’t having enough impact on our efforts to save the earth. Kimmerer suggests that blending scientific knowledge with Native American insight and connection is the optimal solution. “Indigenous knowledge and Western science – can they be goldenrod and asters for each other.” These two described flowers flourish when growing side-by-side and their lavender and golden colors together are also a feast for the human eye.

Research has demonstrated that monoculture and saturating the soil with pesticides is destructive to the land. Native people often plant squash, corn and beans together. This method of cultivation is known as Three Sisters planting. A synergistic relationship between the three plants allows them to thrive and ward off pests effectively when growing in community together. “Being among the sisters provides a visible manifestation of what a community can become when its members understand and share their gifts. In reciprocity, we fill our spirits as well as our bellies.”

Kimmerer believes that most people shop without connecting to the source of what they’re buying. She attempts to awaken readers from their trance and asks them to become aware of this blindness. “What would it be like, I wondered to live with that heightened sensitivity to the lives given for ours? To consider the tree in the Kleenex, the algae in the toothpaste, the oaks in the floor, the grapes in the wine, to follow back the threat of life in everything and pay it respect. Once you start, it’s hard to stop, and you begin to feel yourself awash in gifts.”

Toward the end of the book, Kimmerer pleads with readers to take to heart the impact of our destructive habits on the planet. “Scientific evidence tells us we are close to the tipping point of climate change, the end of fossil fuels, the beginning of resource depletion. Ecologists estimate that we would need seven planets to sustain the lifeways we have created. And yet those lifeways, lacking balance, justice, and peace, have not brought us contentment. They have brought us the loss of our relatives in a great wave of extinction.”

The author’s prose demonstrates she is highly intelligent, feels deeply invested in the natural world and values her Indigenous heritage. She feels a disconnect to the attitudes of many non-indigenous people. “In Potawatomi, we speak of the land as emingoyak: that which has been given to us. In English, we speak of the land as ‘natural resources’ or ‘ecosystem services,’ as if the lives of other beings were our property.”

‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ Setting: Kentucky and New York, With a Sprinkling of Other Places

Rob Wall Kimmerer lived in Kentucky before moving to upstate New York with her children after her husband left them. Most chapters take place in those two settings. Kimmerer’s descriptions were always vivid, drawing the reader to the scene and situation in a multisensory way, which made me feel like I was there experiencing it with her.

There are also sections in Oregon and other areas of the Pacific northwest, the southeast and in Ecuadorian oil fields. In some sections, location was hard to pinpoint.

Rhetoric: Encouraging Environmental Action from Everyday People

The writing invokes a deep emotional response in the reader story by story. Every chapter in this book has a purpose; to incite readers to love and care for the earth more, to recognize our planet’s state of crisis, and to take action to save it. The history of and continuing discrimination and oppression of Native American people is also an important theme in the work.

Cultural and Political Significance: A Resurgence Because of Worsening Climate Change?

This book is very relevant to contemporary times because we are experiencing the ravages of climate change with record high summer temperatures, melting glaciers and polar ice caps, and increasingly destructive weather patterns. In recent years, general audiences have become more interested in Indigenous voices.

Authenticity: From a Real Tribe Member and Qualified Biologist

The writing comes across as authentic and honest. As a member of the Potawatomi Nation and an Environmental Biologist, Kimmerer is well-qualified to write this book.

Critiquing the Critics: Overwhelmingly Positive Feedback from Most Types of Reviewers

Published in 2013, “Braiding Sweetgrass” has gained traction in the rankings over the years through word of mouth. The book has touched the hearts of many people and they in turn have chosen to pass on their positive reading experiences to others.

‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ has an average rating on Goodreads of 4.5 with more than 17,000 posted reviews. Some random readers found Kimmerer to be hateful and bigoted. Others found the text boring. Some believe she insulted mainstream Christianity.

I did not find the author to be hateful and bigoted. She simply has no tolerance for people who live without conscience or who are self-serving and disconnected from the earth. To me, that was the whole point of her writing the book, to invoke more awareness.

Book Aesthetic: Simple and More Environmentally Ethical

Its cover is off-white, with a green braid of sweetgrass bisecting the title from the subtitle and author’s name. The publisher, Milkweed Editions, was a member of the Green Press Initiative, which now seems inactive. The book was printed on acid-free 100% post-consumer-waste paper by Friesens, an employee-owned printing company.

The ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ cover, which simply and authentically says, ‘what you see is what you get,’ shows the braiding of sweetgrass metaphor that is woven throughout the narrative.

Reviewer’s Personal Opinion of ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’: Memories of My Love for Nature

I’ve been an outdoor enthusiast all my life and feel most content and emotionally balanced when outdoors and connected to nature. I’ve hiked through the Andes, biked through the Swiss Alps, swam around islands in the Greek Ionian Sea and with dolphins in the Sea of Cortez.

Many of the chapters evoked memories of life experiences where I felt intimately connected to nature. They also evoked a deep sense of loss as I recalled places I once loved that have since been destroyed. These narratives also reminded me of how different life was for children growing up in the 70s and earlier. During our eras, we spent most of our free time outside, compared to children today, who tend to be inside on phones or computers.

I was fully absorbed with the author’s story of picking strawberries out in an open field. It flashed me back to youthful days when I wandered through fields near my aunt and uncle’s house in New Brunswick, Canada, picking blueberries. I also recall my frog obsession and the many summers I waded in the Olentangy River in Ohio looking for them and how in spring I’d visit nearby ponds and watch—over the course of weeks—tadpoles sprouting legs and arms, their tails gradually diminishing until they transformed into juvenile frogs.

These ponds, which were once breeding grounds for the frogs, have been replaced by soccer fields and play equipment. A noisy freeway on the other side of the river destroyed this peaceful sanctuary for humans that was once a home to thousands of living beings.

Kimmerer believes that many white Americans take the earth’s gifts without feeling any moral requirement to give back or nurture the earth. I find her view truthful — and very distressing. At one point, she mentions that most consumers have the illusion that purchased items “have fallen off the back of Santa’s sleigh, not been ripped from the earth.”

My daughter read ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ and shared her copy with me. Because of my concerns for our planet’s future, my deep connection to the author’s descriptions and the emotions that surfaced when reading this book, I requested to review it.

Books Similar to ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’

Three books I’ve read recently may appeal to “Braiding Sweetgrass” readers.

“Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science” by Jessica Hernandez discusses the plights of Indigenous people in the Americas and the damage the white man has inflicted on the earth. The book’s main theme is that nature takes care of man when man takes care of nature.

“Crazy Brave,” tells Joy Harjo’s story of her life growing up in a dysfunctional Muscogee Nation family and her connection to the natural world.

Susan Casey’s “Voices in the Ocean: A Journey in the Wild and Haunting World of Dolphins” parallel’s Kimmerer’s concerns for the natural world with Casey’s story spotlighting the plight of dolphins and other cetaceans.

‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ Review: Get Closer With the Natural World

Our “Braiding Sweetgrass” review went in-depth and came out with 4.5 stars for the moving memoir. Kimmerer proficiently brings readers on the scene and invokes a deep emotional response, heightening reader connection with the natural world. Following this narrative feels more like an immersion experience than just reading.

‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ Buying Options

E-Commerce Text and Audio Purchases

• Amazon
• Milkweed Editions
• Barnes & Noble
• Kobo
• Apple Books
• Google Play

E-Commerce Audio Purchases

• Libro.fm
• Audible

Physical Location Purchase and Rental Options

‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ is available at most Barnes and Noble and most independent bookstores. It can usually be found in the autobiography section.

Digital Rental Options

Braiding Sweetgrass is available through many libraries on the Libby app. Because it is popular, there may be a waiting period. An audiobook version is also available online and through library apps.

‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ Quotes

Here are some of the most impactful “Braiding Sweetgrass” quotes from Robin Wall Kimmerer:

• “The trees act not as individuals, but somehow as a collective. Exactly how they do this, we don’t yet know. But what we see is the power of unity. What happens to one happens to us all. We can starve together or feast together.” (Chapter 10: Asters and Goldenrod)
• “Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.” (Chapter 17: Allegiance to Gratitude)
• “Paying attention is a form of reciprocity with the living world, receiving the gifts with open eyes and open heart.” (Chapter 21: Witness to the Rain)
• “Action on behalf of life transforms. Because the relationship between self and the world is reciprocal, it is not a question of first getting enlightened or saved and then acting. As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us.” (Chapter 22: Shkitagen: People of the Seventh Fire)
• “The land is the real teacher. All we need as students is mindfulness.” (Chapter 24: Wisgaak Gokpenagen: A Black Ash Basket)
• “Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.” (Chapter 36: Collateral Damage)

‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ FAQs

What genre is ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’?

The genre of “Braiding Sweetgrass” is nonfiction. However, it falls into several subgenres as well, including memoir, science writing, nature writing and Indigenous wisdom.

Is ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ a memoir?

Yes, “Braiding Sweetgrass” is a memoir of the experiences of Indigenous plant medicine expert Robin Wall Kimmerer. While it may not be considered a traditional memoir, many autobiographical elements are woven into Kimmerer’s reflections, including personal stories, experiences and philosophies.

When was ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ published?

“Braiding Sweetgrass” was published in 2013. A resurgence of interest in this book occurred in 2023 when it was added to The New York Times’ Best Seller list.

What are some “Braiding Sweetgrass” book club questions?

Here are some “Braiding Sweetgrass” discussion questions for your book club:

• How well does Robin Wall Kimmerer blend science and Indigenous wisdom in this book?
• Which story from the book impacted you the most?
• How does “Braiding Sweetgrass” challenge the ways modern society approaches nature and environmentalism?
• Did this book change your ideas about the interactions between humans and nature? How so?
• What changes might you make in your life after reading “Braiding Sweetgrass”?

Who wrote ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’?

“Braiding Sweetgrass” was written by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Is Robin Wall Kimmerer white?

No, Robin Wall Kimmerer is not white. Kimmerer is a Native American and an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, a tribe originally from the Great Lakes.