Rebecca Lerner

Interesting and easy to read. Enjoyed the writing style and learning about wild edible plants. While I dont think its the best introduction to urban foraging I would recommend it for someone who has already done a bit of research or taken an basic class on the subject.

However, I disagree with the author on several points which sometimes made my experience as a reader frustrating. While I do honestly think she means well her approach to herbal medicines is dangerous. Herbal medicines are a valuable resource but they have drug interactions and can cause allergic reactions, ignoring this is foolish. Foraging is fun, but herbal medicines are not magic and when you are working with plants that could potentially be toxic Do Not mess around, and definitely do not give your dog a vodka based tincture!

The author also seems to have appropriative and somewhat fetishist views of other cultures, particularly native Americans. She talks about feeling "primal" and in touch with the earth when foraging and learning about native cultures, about making dream catchers, and using herbal hallucinogens in indigenous style ritual. She seems to know of the issues people might take with this since she mentions appropriation but justifies her actions by citing artistic expression and the fact that all people come from tribes if you go back far enough. Also...white people dreads. :/… (plus d'informations)