Summary
Robin Wall Kimmerer's "Gathering Moss" uses the natural and cultural history of mosses as a metaphor for ways of living. The book explains moss biology and their interconnectedness with other life forms, from salmon to redwoods, through linked personal essays. Kimmerer blends scientific understanding with indigenous ways of knowing to reveal the complex lives of these often-unnoticed organisms.
By drawing on her experiences as a scientist and writer of Native American heritage, Kimmerer offers readers a unique perspective on mosses. The book is not an identification guide or a scientific treatise, but a reflection on what mosses can teach us about ecological relationships and sustainable living.
Key concepts
- Indigenous ways of knowing — A framework for understanding mosses that complements scientific explanations.
- Natural history and cultural relationships of mosses — The central metaphor used to explore ways of living.
- Intertwined lives of mosses — How mosses' existence is connected to countless other beings in the ecosystem.
- Scientific terms — The language used to explain the biology of mosses.
From the book
Description: Living at the limits of our ordinary perception, mosses are a common but largely unnoticed element of the natural world. Gathering Moss is a beautifully written mix of science and personal reflection that invites readers to explore and learn from the elegantly simple lives of mosses. Robin Wall Kimmerer's book is not an identification guide, nor is it a scientific treatise. Rather, it is a series of linked personal essays that will lead general readers and scientists alike to an understanding of how mosses live and how their lives are intertwined with the lives of countless other beings, from salmon and hummingbirds to redwoods and rednecks. Kimmerer clearly and artfully explains the biology of mosses, while at the same time reflecting on what these fascinating organisms have…
Snippet: Drawing on her diverse experiences as a scientist, mother, teacher, and writer of Native American heritage, Kimmerer explains the stories of mosses in scientific terms as well as in the framework of indigenous ways of knowing.