Potato by John Reader

I have a new appreciation for the potato -  a vegetable I didn't like much as a child. John Reader takes you on a historical journey from ancient to modern times and examines how the potato has changed society.

I learned many things from Potato by John Reader. The potato is considered a near perfect food. If all you have to eat are potatoes, you won't starve compared to other common foods like wheat. It is a complete food group unto itself. It's also one crop that is largely dependent on chemicals to fight against late blight. On one hand it can raise a society out of poverty, on the other hand it can wipe you out when you only food succumbs to late blight.

The first few chapters of the book are dreadfully dull. I had the feeling that the author was giving his own opinions about ancient civilizations, human evolution, and the development of the potato. Who really knows as there is little to no dependable historical records. The book really peaked my interest starting with the chapter on the Irish potato famine. Many people can trace the migration of their ancestors to the potato. It was from this point in history that the reliance of the potato became clear. It was from then that humans discovered a way to fight blight - though to what side effects remains to be seen. The following chapters discuss the world wide distribution of the potato and more recent research and development.

I wish there had been just a little bit more science about the potato. I also wish there had been more pictures of the potatoes and areas that he discussed. In order to understand the significance of the potato, this book would be a good one to read.

Book rating: 4 stars

There will be wolves

Ursula is the daughter of an apothecary. She has a natural gift for healing. She can read and has a book given to her by a monk that contains information on healing. She is accused of being a witch by some jealous neighbors. In order to escape being burned, she is sentenced/forced to accompany a crusade as a healer.

There will be Wolves is a young adult, historical Christian novel. It examines gender roles, intolerance, hate, abuse, and the travesties of war - though not too deeply. The story is appropriate for ages 10-15. I enjoyed it enough to finish it, but it was predictable.

Book rating: 3 stars.

The Gardener

This is one of those books that I'm not sure how to like. The Gardner is a Young Adult sci-fi novel. If I read it as a sci-fi story and accept the conceits the author wants, than I can enjoy it. BUT, I have a hard time doing that because the conceits she wants you to accept have recently been proven to either be false or an exaggeration. BUT, this is sci-fi.

The author explains that due to global warming and an increased population growth, humans are due to experience severe food shortages that will result in a global famine. In order to prepare for the impending disaster, scientists at a research facility have been developing a way for humans to produce their own food in a similar way to plants - photosynthesis.

Mason is the main character, a teen boy being raised by his single mom. His mom works for a nursing home funded by the research lab. Instead of finding old people, he finds teen agers in a semi-comatose state. He accidentally awakens an attractive girl (hmm, yeah YA novel here) who wants to escape. Thus begins the adventure with Mason, his buddy, and the strange girl. Through a series of events Mason learns about his father, his secret research, and the impending disaster.

Ok. It's supposed to be sci-fi and I could possibly accept some of the authors plot points. BUT I had a hard time doing it. I did finish the story, so it was somewhat entertaining. Some teens may like it.

Book rating: 2 stars - not my favorite.