They destroy plant diseases. They break down toxins. They plough the earth. They transform forests. They’ve survived two mass extinctions, including the one that wiped out the dinosaur. Not bad for a creature that’s deaf, blind, and spineless. Who knew that earthworms were one of our planet’s most important caretakers? Or that Charles Darwin devoted his last years to studying their remarkable achievements?Inspired by Darwin, Amy Stewart takes us on a subterranean adventure. Witty, offbeat, charming, and ever curious, she unearths the complex web of life beneath our feet and investigates the role earthworms play in cutting-edge science—from toxic cleanups to the study of regeneration.
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"Loved the part about nematodes, those crazy little parasites! This book pulled me right back to my childhood curiosity with worms. Thanks for bring back to that Amy Stewart, you remind us all to go out and dig and experience our own backyards. Cool." — Danielle (4 out of 5 stars)
"Loved the part about nematodes, those crazy little parasites! This book pulled me right back to my childhood curiosity with worms. Thanks for bring back to that Amy Stewart, you remind us all to go out and dig and experience our own backyards. Cool."
" A light and fun summertime read that will surprise you with how much there is to know about earthworms. I love Stewart's writing, and while this book didn't live up to Flower Confidential, I think that had more to do with the subject matter at hand. I appreciated the incites into Stewart's own garden and her unabashed obsession with her worms. "
" fascinating look below the soil. Highlights the importance of worms but it a riveting, engaing journalistic style. Great read for non-gardeners too! "
" A bit slow in places, but I enjoyed it very much. "
" Thinking about my garden, and recommitted to my wormbin after reading this book. Learned that there are invasive worms - something new to worry about. Don't throw your fishing worms away in the woods, I suppose. "
" All you would ever want to know about earthworms. "
" Never really gave much thought to worms...never really liked them really. It is opening my eyes to what they do, how they are potentially destructive, and why we should start a vermicompost bin!! "
" Surprisingly interesting. As a gardener and biology major I knew a little about earthworms, but this book is a very fascinating in depth look at how important they are, and how they do their work. "
" Who knew that Earth worms were a damagingly invasive species in America? I didn't before I read this great book about our annelid brethren and the evil's of fishermen to the environment. "
" Engrossing subject...as the worm turns so does our environment. Who knew that Darwin was so fascinated? However writing at times seemed a bit disjointed..read like filler... for a term paper. Maybe the organization. Can't quite put my finger on it. "
" This book made me want to get some worm bins and find some worms! "
" I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Whenever I garden I now look for worms to know I am on the correct path. "
" What becomes very clear while reading this book is just how fascinating earthworms are, which in turn makes for a fascinating book. The author spends too much time discussing her own garden for my taste. But other than that, a very compelling read. "
" Giant Palouse earthworms may or may not be extinct, may or may not smell like lilies. An interesting look at the innards and ecology of my favorite worm-friends. "
" Interesting account of effects & uses of worms in gardening, agriculture, forests (common worms not native, can be bad), sewage and contaminated soil. Talks about niche differentiation "
" Who knew that Oregon is home to a two foot worm? "
Amy Stewart is the author of several books, including the historical fiction Kopp Sisters series, which began with Girl Waits with Gun. The series is based on the true story of three remarkable sisters who lived in New Jersey in the early twentieth-century. She has also written six nonfiction books on the perils and pleasures of the natural world, including the international bestsellers The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Bugs, Wicked Plants, and Flower Confidential. She is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship and the American Horticultural Society’s 2010 Book Award. She lives in Portland with her husband Scott Brown, a rare book dealer. They own an independent bookstore called Eureka Books, which is so independent that it lives in California while they live in Oregon.
Heather Henderson is a voice talent, theater critic, and dramaturg. In addition to narrating audiobooks, she has voiced hundreds of commercial and educational projects, and her arts reviews and poems have appeared in newspapers and magazines across the country. She holds MFA and DFA degrees from the Yale School of Drama. She lives in Oregon.
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