What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
4 days and 22:33:01
20 copies available
U.S. only
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World
Win a free print copy of this book!
4 days and 22:33:01
20 copies available
U.S. only
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Braiding Sweetgrass, a bold and inspiring vision for how to orient our lives around gratitude, reciprocity, and community, based on the lessons of the natural world. As indigenous scientist and author of Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer harvests serviceberries alongside the birds, she considers the ethic of reciprocity that lies at the heart of the gift economy. How, she asks, can we learn from indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most? Our economy is rooted in scarcity, competition, and the hoarding of resources, and we have surrendered our values to a system that actively harms what we love. Meanwhile, the serviceberry’s relationship with the natural world is an embodiment of reciprocity, interconnectedness, and gratitude. The tree distributes its wealth—its abundance of sweet, juicy berries—to meet the needs of its natural community. And this distribution insures its own survival. As Kimmerer explains, “Serviceberries show us another model, one based upon reciprocity, where wealth comes from the quality of your relationships, not from the illusion of self-sufficiency.” As Elizabeth Gilbert writes, Robin Wall Kimmerer is “a great teacher, and her words are a hymn of love to the world.” The Serviceberry is an antidote to the broken relationships and misguided goals of our times, and a reminder that “hoarding won’t save us, all flourishing is mutual.”
128 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 19, 2024
About the author
Robin Wall Kimmerer
22 books4,870 followersDr. Robin Wall Kimmerer (also credited as Robin W. Kimmerer) (born 1953) is Associate Professor of Environmental and Forest Biology at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF). She is the author of numerous scientific articles, and the book Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses. She is Potawatomi and combines her heritage with her scientific and environmental passions.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
July 25, 2024
Thank you to Scribner and Simon and Schuster for providing this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer guides us, once again, as we pause and reflect on the beauty and gift of life that is given to us each day. She explains to us, or rather reminds us of our responsibility of gratitude to the earth and how our daily choices impact our reciprocity. She dives into the merits of the reciprocal gift economy and explores the trickling effect it has within ourselves and our communities.
An inspiring essay on the ‘Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World’, The Serviceberry should be essential reading for anyone who is wanting to reconnect with the natural world and honor all that continues to sustain life.
The Serviceberry is scheduled to publish November 19th, 2024 and I encourage everyone to preorder or request a copy from your local library.
Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer guides us, once again, as we pause and reflect on the beauty and gift of life that is given to us each day. She explains to us, or rather reminds us of our responsibility of gratitude to the earth and how our daily choices impact our reciprocity. She dives into the merits of the reciprocal gift economy and explores the trickling effect it has within ourselves and our communities.
An inspiring essay on the ‘Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World’, The Serviceberry should be essential reading for anyone who is wanting to reconnect with the natural world and honor all that continues to sustain life.
The Serviceberry is scheduled to publish November 19th, 2024 and I encourage everyone to preorder or request a copy from your local library.
September 26, 2024
I thought this book was beautiful. I absolutely loved the message.
It really talks about how we need to focus more on a gift economy. On a give and take relationship and not just a take one. Our world has become so obsessed with money and material items that we have lost respect for our resources. When there is no relationship involved, we take more than we need.
When a neighbor says help yourself to some of the tomatoes in our garden, we would only pick a couple that we needed. But if we saw a random tomato patch in a field, we would clear it out.
If we were gifted a plate by a friend, we would cherish that plate. But if we went and bought it at the store for $10, we wouldn't care so much. Relationships matter.
In today's market economy, we have lost the relationships connected to the items we consume. We have lost respect for our environment.
This book is small but will definitely leave you with a whole new outlook and a lot of things to think about.
It really talks about how we need to focus more on a gift economy. On a give and take relationship and not just a take one. Our world has become so obsessed with money and material items that we have lost respect for our resources. When there is no relationship involved, we take more than we need.
When a neighbor says help yourself to some of the tomatoes in our garden, we would only pick a couple that we needed. But if we saw a random tomato patch in a field, we would clear it out.
If we were gifted a plate by a friend, we would cherish that plate. But if we went and bought it at the store for $10, we wouldn't care so much. Relationships matter.
In today's market economy, we have lost the relationships connected to the items we consume. We have lost respect for our environment.
This book is small but will definitely leave you with a whole new outlook and a lot of things to think about.
August 17, 2024
Pub date: Nov 19 2024
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC of this book! I am voluntarily reading and reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book - all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The serviceberry has many names - shadbush, saskatoon, juneberry, and sugarplum to name a few. Using the set up of the author picking these berries on a summer day and the birds eating the berries along side her, Robin dives into the idea of economics and the natural world.
This book provides a basic outline for ecological economics. Having absolutely no background in economics, I appreciated the simplistic approach and explanations to help me understand the fundamental ideas. The basis of this book is an economy valuing reciprocity instead of scarcity. It may seem idealistic in this consumer driven capitalist western world, but many of the ideas are applicable to individuals and focus more on perception vs action.
This book is written in prose and poetic language, which is vastly different to most texts on economics. Because of this back and forth between the poetic language and the content, I found it hard to follow the narrative at times. I would be reading and forget the original point! I did appreciate that this was a short read (it started as an essay and was expanded upon), as I think I would have lost interest if it was any longer. However, I did find many interesting ideas presented in this book and a few things I want to apply to how I live my life. For example, I resonated with the idea of never taking more than half, and never being the first or the last to take when foraging.
I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, but if you do you may appreciate the unique perspective and presentation of The Serviceberry!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC of this book! I am voluntarily reading and reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book - all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The serviceberry has many names - shadbush, saskatoon, juneberry, and sugarplum to name a few. Using the set up of the author picking these berries on a summer day and the birds eating the berries along side her, Robin dives into the idea of economics and the natural world.
This book provides a basic outline for ecological economics. Having absolutely no background in economics, I appreciated the simplistic approach and explanations to help me understand the fundamental ideas. The basis of this book is an economy valuing reciprocity instead of scarcity. It may seem idealistic in this consumer driven capitalist western world, but many of the ideas are applicable to individuals and focus more on perception vs action.
This book is written in prose and poetic language, which is vastly different to most texts on economics. Because of this back and forth between the poetic language and the content, I found it hard to follow the narrative at times. I would be reading and forget the original point! I did appreciate that this was a short read (it started as an essay and was expanded upon), as I think I would have lost interest if it was any longer. However, I did find many interesting ideas presented in this book and a few things I want to apply to how I live my life. For example, I resonated with the idea of never taking more than half, and never being the first or the last to take when foraging.
I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, but if you do you may appreciate the unique perspective and presentation of The Serviceberry!
September 28, 2024
We live in a time when every choice matters. The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer
“When an economic system actively destroys what we love, isn’t it time for a different system?” Robin Wall Kimmerer asks us in The Serviceberry. She contrasts the Indigenous idea of a gift economy, where one views abundance as a gift to be shared, to the market economy that allows wealth to be privately held by a few.
Her illustration is the native serviceberry tree, whose berries were a staple that Native Americans used in pemmican. “Imagine a fruit that tastes like a Blueberry crossed with the satisfying heft of an Apple, a touch of rosewater, and a minuscule crunch of almond-flavored seeds.” Birds and animals rely on the berries.
She tells of a woman whose Serviceberry trees were so productive, she gave the berries away, an example of a gift economy where wone with an abundance shares with others. She references public libraries as another example of a gift economy, for the books belong to everyone.
Take only what you need, what is given. Never take over half or waste what you have been given. This teaching is contrary to a market economy focusing on buying more, waste actually a positive: buy cheap, toss, buy more, keep the factories going.
I participate on a social media site for our city where we give stuff away. People get what they need, and items are recycled and not trashed. A few years back, our apple trees were so productive we couldn’t keep up. We made applesauce and apple butter and froze them and baked. We have away boxes of apples. Our two mile square city has a half dozen Little Free Libraries. My weekly quilt group brings fabric and patterns and supplies to give away on the ‘free table” and we often share quilts we entirely made with fabric found there.
People do want to share.
It will take a revolution, or worse, to change the market economy. But we can each personally choose to live with gratitude, sharing what we have.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.
“When an economic system actively destroys what we love, isn’t it time for a different system?” Robin Wall Kimmerer asks us in The Serviceberry. She contrasts the Indigenous idea of a gift economy, where one views abundance as a gift to be shared, to the market economy that allows wealth to be privately held by a few.
Her illustration is the native serviceberry tree, whose berries were a staple that Native Americans used in pemmican. “Imagine a fruit that tastes like a Blueberry crossed with the satisfying heft of an Apple, a touch of rosewater, and a minuscule crunch of almond-flavored seeds.” Birds and animals rely on the berries.
She tells of a woman whose Serviceberry trees were so productive, she gave the berries away, an example of a gift economy where wone with an abundance shares with others. She references public libraries as another example of a gift economy, for the books belong to everyone.
Take only what you need, what is given. Never take over half or waste what you have been given. This teaching is contrary to a market economy focusing on buying more, waste actually a positive: buy cheap, toss, buy more, keep the factories going.
I participate on a social media site for our city where we give stuff away. People get what they need, and items are recycled and not trashed. A few years back, our apple trees were so productive we couldn’t keep up. We made applesauce and apple butter and froze them and baked. We have away boxes of apples. Our two mile square city has a half dozen Little Free Libraries. My weekly quilt group brings fabric and patterns and supplies to give away on the ‘free table” and we often share quilts we entirely made with fabric found there.
People do want to share.
It will take a revolution, or worse, to change the market economy. But we can each personally choose to live with gratitude, sharing what we have.
Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.
August 23, 2024
"The prosperity of the community grows from the flow of relationships, not the accumulation of goods."
This book is a gift from the nature - regardless of the worthiness, one delights in Kimmerer's words that exude gratitude and respect for life. Through a writing that emanates contagious enthusiasm, Kimmerer exposes the traditions of Indigenous people, which foundation on land and sustainability lead to the change of one's relationship with the natural world.
The author invites one to slow down, to recognize the importance of collectivity and 'enoughness' in a toxic culture dominated by consumption and waste. By exploring the concept of 'gift' and its relation with the economic systems, the author provides thought-provoking insights, being successful at bringing awareness about overlooked points. All of this made me re-evaluate my own values and the ways I can exercise reciprocity and start practicing the flow of gift.
In less than 100 pages, this non-fiction is rich, which emotional resonance is real while the author establishes different connections with the reader. If you're looking for a deeper understanding of the ecological economics and/or a book that reminds one of the responsibility with the Earth, I can't recommend this enough. I thought this was a meaningful and relevant book; and I urge you to read it.
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Scribner books . All opinions are my own ]
This book is a gift from the nature - regardless of the worthiness, one delights in Kimmerer's words that exude gratitude and respect for life. Through a writing that emanates contagious enthusiasm, Kimmerer exposes the traditions of Indigenous people, which foundation on land and sustainability lead to the change of one's relationship with the natural world.
The author invites one to slow down, to recognize the importance of collectivity and 'enoughness' in a toxic culture dominated by consumption and waste. By exploring the concept of 'gift' and its relation with the economic systems, the author provides thought-provoking insights, being successful at bringing awareness about overlooked points. All of this made me re-evaluate my own values and the ways I can exercise reciprocity and start practicing the flow of gift.
In less than 100 pages, this non-fiction is rich, which emotional resonance is real while the author establishes different connections with the reader. If you're looking for a deeper understanding of the ecological economics and/or a book that reminds one of the responsibility with the Earth, I can't recommend this enough. I thought this was a meaningful and relevant book; and I urge you to read it.
[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Scribner books . All opinions are my own ]
August 4, 2024
I’m so grateful to have received an advanced copy of this gorgeous little book! It seems Robin Wall Kimmerer can’t help but weave magic and hope with her wise words. The Serviceberry is a love note to the natural world, to which, as Dr. Kimmerer reminds us, we humans inextricably belong. She makes a case for shifting our focus to gratitude for the gifts each person, human or not, offers and seeing the world as more than a resource to be consumed. The Serviceberry, along with Gathering Moss and Braiding Sweetgrass, should be required reading.
September 11, 2024
I'm a fan of Braiding Sweetgrass and this book is a great addition to Kimmerer's other books. I know fans of Kimmerer are going to come away from reading this ready to put these ideas into action in their life and in their communities. I enjoyed reading Kimmerer's thoughts on these topics and hope to see other books from her in the future focused on ideas like this we can put into action. The art is also lovely.
I posted a blog review of the book as well
https://paperbackpagan.wordpress.com/...
I posted a blog review of the book as well
https://paperbackpagan.wordpress.com/...
September 21, 2024
Thank you to Scribner and Goodreads, as I won this ARC in a Goodreads Giveaway!
The Serviceberry is one of those books that packs a lot of wisdom into a small space.
It blends indigenous teachings with ideas about ecology and how nature thrives on reciprocity, making you think about the world—and our place in it—differently. The author’s insights on the serviceberry tree and gift economies feel really refreshing, like a reminder that life isn't all about transactions!!
It’s short but definitely thought-provoking.
If you're into sustainability or just want to feel more connected to nature, read this book.
5 stars!
The Serviceberry is one of those books that packs a lot of wisdom into a small space.
It blends indigenous teachings with ideas about ecology and how nature thrives on reciprocity, making you think about the world—and our place in it—differently. The author’s insights on the serviceberry tree and gift economies feel really refreshing, like a reminder that life isn't all about transactions!!
It’s short but definitely thought-provoking.
If you're into sustainability or just want to feel more connected to nature, read this book.
5 stars!
September 4, 2024
Picked this up out of curiosity as I was intrigued by how something I’ve never even tasted would be so important; it completely changed my perception about nature, humanity and life. What if we lived on an economic system based upon abundance instead of manufactured scarcity ? How would that affect our perception of wealth and life?
Simply amazing read.
Simply amazing read.
September 17, 2024
A tiny book that packs a powerful, thoughtful punch. Following the call of Cedar Waxwings to the abundant supply of serviceberries, Robin reflects on how their bounty and her relationship with them outlines a different form of natural economy.
- Calendar plants synchronising people with seasons
- Indigenous fruit names, -min = gift
- Stories recognise the need for gift gratitude and reciprocity (including indirect action "we live in a time when every choice matters")
- Currency of gifts in the natural world
- Abundance fuelled by circulating materials
- Maternal gift economy. The sun source
- Serviceberry economy v market economy, where berries as a commodity are exchanged in a transaction and the relationship ends.
- Positive force and motive of gratitude for gifts which makes us take care of it. Moral and ethical obligation
- Department of Earthly Gifts v that of natural resources
- GDP purely monetary
- (Market) economy being a study of scarcity. Ugh.
- "Store my meat in the belly of my brother" - Brazilian hunter
- Community bonds in gift economy. A currency of gratitude and connection. Prosperity from the flow of relationships, not accumulation of goods
- Colonial thinking hated feasts and potlatch sharing
- Robin's local community sharing fruit and vegetables. Sharing that exists on digital platforms that she researches
- How to scale up individual small scale gift economy. Public library example. The Free Farm Stand.
- Tragedy of the commons
- Indigenous nations 'Dish with One Spoon' treaty v 'resource management plans'
- No moral constraint on consumption leads to ecological and spiritual depletion
- Robin lists guidelines of the Honourable Harvest
- She recognises the wisdom and guidance of plants such as the Serviceberry and Saskatoon trees: they invite feast with their abundance
- Free Farm Stand thief "Darren" = individuals at the helm of big organisations that exploit
- Serviceberries show a model of reciprocity rather than accumulation. "all flourishing is mutual"
- Richard Powers quote on symbiosis in all living things.
- Scarcity - competition - evolution
- Scarcity a cultural construct? Real and natural scarcity is no rain. Manufactured scarcity is easy to have accepted as a natural fact, but it isn't
- Water privatised, polluted, bottled
- Windigo monster from stories of Potawatomi culture is the ever hungry consumer that jeopardises survival of the community with individual accumulation
- Threat of real scarcity on the horizon. (Bloody Darrens)
- Invite from a neighbour to pick berries when there were plenty. Even though it's something she usually charges for
- Can't measure commodities when they become gifts - there is education, relationships, good feeling
- Web of non transactional relationships
- Gift economies function well in small tightly knit communities
- Nature shows us: Cooperation over competition. Circulation over hoarding. Cyclical over linear.
- Disturbance and change as natural. New growth. Leads to nurturing cooperation alongside competition.
- Incremental change and creative disruption. Where new and old meet, there is greatest diversity.
- "Mosaic of economies"
- Calendar plants synchronising people with seasons
- Indigenous fruit names, -min = gift
- Stories recognise the need for gift gratitude and reciprocity (including indirect action "we live in a time when every choice matters")
- Currency of gifts in the natural world
- Abundance fuelled by circulating materials
- Maternal gift economy. The sun source
- Serviceberry economy v market economy, where berries as a commodity are exchanged in a transaction and the relationship ends.
- Positive force and motive of gratitude for gifts which makes us take care of it. Moral and ethical obligation
- Department of Earthly Gifts v that of natural resources
- GDP purely monetary
- (Market) economy being a study of scarcity. Ugh.
- "Store my meat in the belly of my brother" - Brazilian hunter
- Community bonds in gift economy. A currency of gratitude and connection. Prosperity from the flow of relationships, not accumulation of goods
- Colonial thinking hated feasts and potlatch sharing
- Robin's local community sharing fruit and vegetables. Sharing that exists on digital platforms that she researches
- How to scale up individual small scale gift economy. Public library example. The Free Farm Stand.
- Tragedy of the commons
- Indigenous nations 'Dish with One Spoon' treaty v 'resource management plans'
- No moral constraint on consumption leads to ecological and spiritual depletion
- Robin lists guidelines of the Honourable Harvest
- She recognises the wisdom and guidance of plants such as the Serviceberry and Saskatoon trees: they invite feast with their abundance
- Free Farm Stand thief "Darren" = individuals at the helm of big organisations that exploit
- Serviceberries show a model of reciprocity rather than accumulation. "all flourishing is mutual"
- Richard Powers quote on symbiosis in all living things.
- Scarcity - competition - evolution
- Scarcity a cultural construct? Real and natural scarcity is no rain. Manufactured scarcity is easy to have accepted as a natural fact, but it isn't
- Water privatised, polluted, bottled
- Windigo monster from stories of Potawatomi culture is the ever hungry consumer that jeopardises survival of the community with individual accumulation
- Threat of real scarcity on the horizon. (Bloody Darrens)
- Invite from a neighbour to pick berries when there were plenty. Even though it's something she usually charges for
- Can't measure commodities when they become gifts - there is education, relationships, good feeling
- Web of non transactional relationships
- Gift economies function well in small tightly knit communities
- Nature shows us: Cooperation over competition. Circulation over hoarding. Cyclical over linear.
- Disturbance and change as natural. New growth. Leads to nurturing cooperation alongside competition.
- Incremental change and creative disruption. Where new and old meet, there is greatest diversity.
- "Mosaic of economies"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2024
Loved these essays that will have one thinking about giving and receiving and its relation and impact to the natural world. This was just delightful but also gives a lot of food for thought and here's hoping more of us push back on scarcity (and greed) while sharing more with our communities.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.
September 21, 2024
The Serviceberry is a very short book, but it manages to capture maybe the essential conflict underlying most of our problems (is that hyperbole? Maybe! But I don't think so!). Namely, the discord between gift economies and market capitalism. One encourages reciprocity and care for collective wellbeing and one....does not. Capitalism, being profit-driven, encourages privatization of resources, hoarding, artificial scarcity, and competition between individuals. It financially incentivizes pollution of communal property, like air and water, and necessitates growth for growth's sake, not to sustaining ecosystems (both social and environmental). Rather than collapse into futility, however, Kimmerer highlights some strategies for integrating gift economies into capitalism; I particularly appreciated her ode to public libraries as a model for this.
Ultimately, this is an encouraging and convincing call for individual action to move the needle towards reciprocity and care for the collective. A pessimist might say it's not enough, given the political hopelessness of abandoning capitalism, but Kimmerer intentionally avoids doing so. To motivate change, there has to be some hope for meaningful results. She shows us it's possible, if we can value and accept the scale at which like minded individuals can make an impact.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
Ultimately, this is an encouraging and convincing call for individual action to move the needle towards reciprocity and care for the collective. A pessimist might say it's not enough, given the political hopelessness of abandoning capitalism, but Kimmerer intentionally avoids doing so. To motivate change, there has to be some hope for meaningful results. She shows us it's possible, if we can value and accept the scale at which like minded individuals can make an impact.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!
September 26, 2024
Short but extremely sweet - this is an extremely well-done description and reimagining of our societies in a world ravaged by capitalist economies. I feel so encouraged by Robin's thoughtful exploration of regenerative gift economies and the many levels which they can benefit people, our planet, and the more-than-human beings around us. I so appreciated the real-life examples of how these kinds of economies are already playing out in our world and how they can interplay with our current economic systems. It made me feel hopeful about the future and reminded me about the importance of giving back to others and the earth whenever we can. As long as we have joy on our side there is hope :) Robin really did it again! A must read.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the arc. All thoughts are my own.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the arc. All thoughts are my own.
August 26, 2024
Thank you to Scribner, Net Galley and the author for the ARC! I definitely think this book would be best read as a physical copy. The illustrations are beautiful and the style of writing lends itself to quick and relatively easy reading, but with several highlightable lines that would be nice to physically mark. It would be great on a coffee table!
Although it was short, it did get a bit redundant. Still, I learned a lot and walked away inspired to check out more Little Free Libraries and Buy Nothing groups at the least. I mostly picked this up to learn more about the Native American perspective on resources and the “gift economy” and thought it was interesting to glean wisdom. Especially as a Christian, I can now see how Western Christianity fails to steward our blessings in a way that contributes to the cyclical nature of gifts in the way God designed. It also makes ms think about how the things we pray for are right in front of us, but we may be missing out on them as we hold back our gifts from others and miss out on the potential relationships around us.
Although it was short, it did get a bit redundant. Still, I learned a lot and walked away inspired to check out more Little Free Libraries and Buy Nothing groups at the least. I mostly picked this up to learn more about the Native American perspective on resources and the “gift economy” and thought it was interesting to glean wisdom. Especially as a Christian, I can now see how Western Christianity fails to steward our blessings in a way that contributes to the cyclical nature of gifts in the way God designed. It also makes ms think about how the things we pray for are right in front of us, but we may be missing out on them as we hold back our gifts from others and miss out on the potential relationships around us.
August 27, 2024
Weighing in at just under 128 pages, this very slender book by the talented essayist and botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer, invites readers to sample an idea she brought up in her bestselling Braiding Sweetgrass.
The idea of "gift economy" explores the concepts of abundance and gratitude as the basis of economic progress—but before any hard-nosed modern Western thinkers dismiss it is a hippy-dippy pie-in-the-sky dreaming, Kimmerer provides convincing and commonplace examples of how the gift economy, which was the basis for many Indigenous cultures, is still alive and well, even in the middle of capitalism's ecological nightmare.
So a gift economy, Kimmerer explains, happens all over North America when zucchini squash ripen. People bring bags of zucchini to work, put them at the curb, pop them into people's cars. Zucchini ripen with such abundance that growers are happy to share. Why share? Because it's inherently gratifying, and, in the idiom of Indigenous culture, it's far better and more sensible to "store" food in the bellies of your friends than to stockpile it.
In a gift economy, when someone has an abundance, it is shared. Think this won't work on a larger scale? Consider the free-cycle movement, volunteers of every stripe, the common roadway, a public library.
It's a radical idea, yes, and counter-intuitive to mainstream economics, which is based, Kimmerer posits, on scarcity. That there is never enough to go around and value is driven by scarcity. She suggests that as a driver, scarcity does not really encourage either production or distribution. We live amid abundance, but mostly view everything as a commodity to acquire. When it's just as clearly all a gift, given abundantly enough for everyone to get along.
Kimmerer is herself a gift to readers and thinkers. She shares her abundance of both ideas and hope, encouraging a move—even a tiny move—toward a different way of looking at our world.
Thank you Scribner and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my unfettered opinion.
The idea of "gift economy" explores the concepts of abundance and gratitude as the basis of economic progress—but before any hard-nosed modern Western thinkers dismiss it is a hippy-dippy pie-in-the-sky dreaming, Kimmerer provides convincing and commonplace examples of how the gift economy, which was the basis for many Indigenous cultures, is still alive and well, even in the middle of capitalism's ecological nightmare.
So a gift economy, Kimmerer explains, happens all over North America when zucchini squash ripen. People bring bags of zucchini to work, put them at the curb, pop them into people's cars. Zucchini ripen with such abundance that growers are happy to share. Why share? Because it's inherently gratifying, and, in the idiom of Indigenous culture, it's far better and more sensible to "store" food in the bellies of your friends than to stockpile it.
In a gift economy, when someone has an abundance, it is shared. Think this won't work on a larger scale? Consider the free-cycle movement, volunteers of every stripe, the common roadway, a public library.
It's a radical idea, yes, and counter-intuitive to mainstream economics, which is based, Kimmerer posits, on scarcity. That there is never enough to go around and value is driven by scarcity. She suggests that as a driver, scarcity does not really encourage either production or distribution. We live amid abundance, but mostly view everything as a commodity to acquire. When it's just as clearly all a gift, given abundantly enough for everyone to get along.
Kimmerer is herself a gift to readers and thinkers. She shares her abundance of both ideas and hope, encouraging a move—even a tiny move—toward a different way of looking at our world.
Thank you Scribner and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my unfettered opinion.
September 16, 2024
A lovely 100 page book about how gratitude, reciprocity, and abundance can orient our commodity driven lives. Using natural and current examples, as well as ancient indigenous teachings, Robin explains to us what it means to be a functioning community based on the gift economy and what we can do to help pull our futures back from the brink of destruction; aka the Darren Economy. Proceeds from this book go toward land restoration and reforestation projects.
The gift economy is something I think about almost every day. As I look around at our society and see exactly how much waste, abundance, and forced scarcity surrounds me every day, I often find myself feeling anxious about what we are doing to our futures, and our decendents. This is one of those books that absolutely deserves to be on required reading lists for schools and educational programs. If more people knew how simple and easy it was to give and be part of something bigger than themselves, they might do it more often. Our society has absolutely veered towards a market driven, commodity focused, selfish mindset. I love how Robin uses Libraries and Little Free Libraries as examples of gift economies. Two things I relate to heavily in my line of work. She not only points out the process but also explains what we can do to make a difference as well.
This is my first ever title by this Author, I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and will absolutely be checking into her other works. I highly recommend this one for those interested in making a difference in their lives, their community, and making an effort to refocus our economy, no matter how small the gesture.
An enormous Thank You to Robin Wall Kimmerer, Scribner, and Goodreads for allowing me the opportunity to read this title in exchange for my honest review.
The gift economy is something I think about almost every day. As I look around at our society and see exactly how much waste, abundance, and forced scarcity surrounds me every day, I often find myself feeling anxious about what we are doing to our futures, and our decendents. This is one of those books that absolutely deserves to be on required reading lists for schools and educational programs. If more people knew how simple and easy it was to give and be part of something bigger than themselves, they might do it more often. Our society has absolutely veered towards a market driven, commodity focused, selfish mindset. I love how Robin uses Libraries and Little Free Libraries as examples of gift economies. Two things I relate to heavily in my line of work. She not only points out the process but also explains what we can do to make a difference as well.
This is my first ever title by this Author, I won this book in a goodreads giveaway and will absolutely be checking into her other works. I highly recommend this one for those interested in making a difference in their lives, their community, and making an effort to refocus our economy, no matter how small the gesture.
An enormous Thank You to Robin Wall Kimmerer, Scribner, and Goodreads for allowing me the opportunity to read this title in exchange for my honest review.
September 16, 2024
It's a challenge to share this brief (less than 100 pages), yet oh, so filled with gifts of abundance from Robin Wall Kimmerer, the author of another thought-filled book titled Braiding Sweetgrass. This time, taking the serviceberry as her model, Robin makes her case for "a culture of gratitude", to move to what she terms a gift economy, "wealth is understood as having enough to share, and the practice for dealing with abundance is to give it away." Producers and consumers would not undertake to create scarcity to drive up prices, but realize that a gift given can mean a community that shares, one that values the relationships over profit." It is people caring for others and for their world.
The serviceberry offers its wealth to birds, who flourish and, in turn, spread its seeds. Robin is a member of the Potawatomi Nation, one of the Anishinaabe peoples of the Great Lakes region. This berry's name in their language is Bozakmin, and the root "min" means "gift." She weaves her argument for change to a gift economy from the book's beginnings when she shares that a nearby farmer, a neighbor, has invited a number of people to come to share their bounty and pick their serviceberries at no charge. They are part of a community that cares about each other and while also needing to earn money for their expenses, this sharing also nurtures relationships and a hope that neighbors will reciprocate during the year in other ways.
Robin's argument pulls away from our ways of consumer capitalism to a gentler and more sustainable approach where all needs are met, including the environment's. It is filled with good reminders that looking again at our lives can mean we find another way of life that can work better for us all!
Thanks to Scribner Books for my Advanced Copy
The serviceberry offers its wealth to birds, who flourish and, in turn, spread its seeds. Robin is a member of the Potawatomi Nation, one of the Anishinaabe peoples of the Great Lakes region. This berry's name in their language is Bozakmin, and the root "min" means "gift." She weaves her argument for change to a gift economy from the book's beginnings when she shares that a nearby farmer, a neighbor, has invited a number of people to come to share their bounty and pick their serviceberries at no charge. They are part of a community that cares about each other and while also needing to earn money for their expenses, this sharing also nurtures relationships and a hope that neighbors will reciprocate during the year in other ways.
Robin's argument pulls away from our ways of consumer capitalism to a gentler and more sustainable approach where all needs are met, including the environment's. It is filled with good reminders that looking again at our lives can mean we find another way of life that can work better for us all!
Thanks to Scribner Books for my Advanced Copy
August 26, 2024
If you’re looking for a read that challenges the status quo and invites you to rethink your relationship with community and nature, look no further than The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer! This beautifully crafted essay explores the concept of a gift economy, illuminating how such a system can enrich our lives and foster deeper connections within our communities.
Kimmerer’s exploration of a gift economy resonates deeply with me. The idea of banking goodwill and nurturing reciprocal relationships is not just a lofty ideal; it’s something I experience in my own life and I think we all do! For instance, my neighbour often shares fresh carrots from her garden, and in return, I whip up a delicious carrot soup for her. It’s a simple exchange, but it embodies the spirit of generosity and community that Kimmerer so eloquently champions.
The book also discusses the joy found in our little free libraries sharing freely with those we do not know This along with little free pantries, are perfect examples of reciprocity in action, where sharing knowledge and resources creates a sense of belonging and connection. Isn’t it wonderful how giving can feel just as good, if not better, than receiving?
Kimmerer’s critique of cutthroat capitalism is particularly striking. She aptly points out that we attribute its outcomes to “the system,” but that in fact it is really a small number of individuals that often dictate the rules and benefit. This perspective encourages us to reflect on our own roles within this framework and consider how we can shift towards a more community-oriented approach.
The Serviceberry is more than just a book; it’s a call to action. It provides food for thought about how we live in our communities and what we should strive for—not only for ourselves but also for the health of our planet.
Would I recommend The Serviceberry? Yes, for anyone seeking inspiration on how to cultivate a more connected and compassionate world. Let’s embrace the gift economy and see how it can transform our lives!
Thank you to @simonschusterca and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this essay.
Kimmerer’s exploration of a gift economy resonates deeply with me. The idea of banking goodwill and nurturing reciprocal relationships is not just a lofty ideal; it’s something I experience in my own life and I think we all do! For instance, my neighbour often shares fresh carrots from her garden, and in return, I whip up a delicious carrot soup for her. It’s a simple exchange, but it embodies the spirit of generosity and community that Kimmerer so eloquently champions.
The book also discusses the joy found in our little free libraries sharing freely with those we do not know This along with little free pantries, are perfect examples of reciprocity in action, where sharing knowledge and resources creates a sense of belonging and connection. Isn’t it wonderful how giving can feel just as good, if not better, than receiving?
Kimmerer’s critique of cutthroat capitalism is particularly striking. She aptly points out that we attribute its outcomes to “the system,” but that in fact it is really a small number of individuals that often dictate the rules and benefit. This perspective encourages us to reflect on our own roles within this framework and consider how we can shift towards a more community-oriented approach.
The Serviceberry is more than just a book; it’s a call to action. It provides food for thought about how we live in our communities and what we should strive for—not only for ourselves but also for the health of our planet.
Would I recommend The Serviceberry? Yes, for anyone seeking inspiration on how to cultivate a more connected and compassionate world. Let’s embrace the gift economy and see how it can transform our lives!
Thank you to @simonschusterca and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this essay.
September 30, 2024
Thanks to #Simon & Schuster and #NetGalley for letting me read an eGalley version of the book in exchange for my honest review.
I loved Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants but it is a little long and wandering; this book is shorter -- really a long essay -- and more focused, which is very helpful, because it needs to reach a wide audience.
Taking the Serviceberry (known by many names, Saskatoon, Juneberry, Shadbush, Sugerplum among them) as an example of, as the subtitle says "Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World," Kimmerer describes an economy that might replace our current disastrous extractive economy with a more eco-friendly gift economy.
She has written about Native American societies and their use of the gifts from the land in Braiding Sweetgrass, and she returns to that theme, but this time she is focused not only on the natural world, but also on the science of economics. There is now an emerging ecological economics theory that suggests scarcity is not the driving force of economics in our world; it is actually a construct, and it is not serving us well.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's a quick read and beautifully illustrated, but it also provides a lot of food for thought. Hopefully it will inspire many to become involved in a different relationship to the Earth and each other. Pre-order it now. Publication date is Nov. 19 -- just in time for holiday giving.
I loved Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants but it is a little long and wandering; this book is shorter -- really a long essay -- and more focused, which is very helpful, because it needs to reach a wide audience.
Taking the Serviceberry (known by many names, Saskatoon, Juneberry, Shadbush, Sugerplum among them) as an example of, as the subtitle says "Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World," Kimmerer describes an economy that might replace our current disastrous extractive economy with a more eco-friendly gift economy.
She has written about Native American societies and their use of the gifts from the land in Braiding Sweetgrass, and she returns to that theme, but this time she is focused not only on the natural world, but also on the science of economics. There is now an emerging ecological economics theory that suggests scarcity is not the driving force of economics in our world; it is actually a construct, and it is not serving us well.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's a quick read and beautifully illustrated, but it also provides a lot of food for thought. Hopefully it will inspire many to become involved in a different relationship to the Earth and each other. Pre-order it now. Publication date is Nov. 19 -- just in time for holiday giving.
September 16, 2024
I've previously read and enjoyed Gathering Moss, but never got around to Braiding Sweetgrass. I saw this one was short and available on Netgalley, so I thought I'd give it a shot. It's an expanded essay on the gift economy and fostering a spirit of abundance, rather than scarcity, centered around the abundant gifts from the serviceberry (which I'd never heard of before). Western economics is generally built on an assumption of scarcity, which leads to hoarding and other self-serving behaviors that become destructive, especially as they scale up. Kimmerer explores what might happen if we flipped that assumption, focusing on sharing and giving, taking only what we need, while making sure others have what they need. I love this in theory, but it's such a shift from how my world is structured, I have a difficult time envisioning how it would work in practice if I try to see it beyond close family, friends and neighbors.
I suspect I would have been as pleased with this in essay form, but I like might never have run across it, so I'm ultimately glad it was made into a book. Also, I read a digital copy and apparently I missed some good illustrations. I'll have to check to them out in a bookstore after the book comes out.
Thank you to Scribner and Simon and Schuster for providing this ARC.
I suspect I would have been as pleased with this in essay form, but I like might never have run across it, so I'm ultimately glad it was made into a book. Also, I read a digital copy and apparently I missed some good illustrations. I'll have to check to them out in a bookstore after the book comes out.
Thank you to Scribner and Simon and Schuster for providing this ARC.
August 23, 2024
I was so glad to have the opportunity to read The Serviceberry. I loved Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I moved The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World to the top of my TBR/To Be Read list.
The Serviceberry was Robin Wall Kimmerer's thoughts on economics.
When I finished reading The Serviceberry (and even now when I think about the book) by overwhelming thought is that I'd really love to pay my taxes by sending in a truckload of zucchini.
I thought about Robin Wall Kimmerer this week when someone had a table of books and stuff and cucumbers on a table at the side of the road in the city limits. I think of The Serviceberry when I see all the little free libraries around.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner publishing for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Serviceberry in exchange for an honest review. Somewhere between 3 & 4 stars in my opinion; rounding up. I want to believe there is the opportunity for such economics, but those opportunities are getting to be few and far between.
Expected publication date is Nov 19, 2024. 128 pages
The Serviceberry was Robin Wall Kimmerer's thoughts on economics.
When I finished reading The Serviceberry (and even now when I think about the book) by overwhelming thought is that I'd really love to pay my taxes by sending in a truckload of zucchini.
I thought about Robin Wall Kimmerer this week when someone had a table of books and stuff and cucumbers on a table at the side of the road in the city limits. I think of The Serviceberry when I see all the little free libraries around.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Scribner publishing for approving my request to read the advance read copy of The Serviceberry in exchange for an honest review. Somewhere between 3 & 4 stars in my opinion; rounding up. I want to believe there is the opportunity for such economics, but those opportunities are getting to be few and far between.
Expected publication date is Nov 19, 2024. 128 pages
September 6, 2024
The Serviceberry
Robin Wall Kimmerer
We are currently in the season when we forage for huckleberries which grow wild in the mountains of Northwest Montana. Over the last couple of years, there has been a disturbing trend of these bushes being overpicked, frequently by commercial pickers, sometimes to the point of causing damage to the bushes. Aside from us, bears love these berries, and more recently, there have been more bear activity into populated areas, searching for food. One grizzly was just euthanized by Fish and Wildlife officials today for repeated “encounters.”
Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “The Serviceberry” hits home. We are reminded that we are part of a biological and economic ecosystem, dependent on cooperation and reciprocity. More often than not, we forget this and treat nature as if it is ours to exploit, not realizing that our actions lead to consequences for other plant and animal members of that ecosystem, and eventually come back to haunt us.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC for my honest, but as you can see from my first paragraph, heavily biased review.
Robin Wall Kimmerer
We are currently in the season when we forage for huckleberries which grow wild in the mountains of Northwest Montana. Over the last couple of years, there has been a disturbing trend of these bushes being overpicked, frequently by commercial pickers, sometimes to the point of causing damage to the bushes. Aside from us, bears love these berries, and more recently, there have been more bear activity into populated areas, searching for food. One grizzly was just euthanized by Fish and Wildlife officials today for repeated “encounters.”
Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “The Serviceberry” hits home. We are reminded that we are part of a biological and economic ecosystem, dependent on cooperation and reciprocity. More often than not, we forget this and treat nature as if it is ours to exploit, not realizing that our actions lead to consequences for other plant and animal members of that ecosystem, and eventually come back to haunt us.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC for my honest, but as you can see from my first paragraph, heavily biased review.
September 19, 2024
-Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. -
Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer does it again! In a way that I have come to find only she can, Dr. Kimmerer teaches us about the lessons we can glean from the natural world in an approachable, digestible, and poetic manner. Dr. Kimmerer invites readers to reflect on the meaning of abundance and reciprocity by highlighting the natural gift economy created by Serviceberries. In doing so, she calls us on to challenge the construct of scarcity and explains the implications our consumptive economy has on Earth's natural resources.
As an Odawa reader, I appreciated Dr. Kimmerer's inclusion of Potawatomi language and Anishinaabe perspectives throughout the book; reading this book felt healing in a way I cannot yet describe. The illustrations throughout this book were beautiful and concise and a nice complement to Dr. Kimmerer's words. This book left me in a state of reflection and gratitude, questioning the ways in which I can engage in a reciprocal gift economy.
I highly recommend everyone read this important, concise work that Dr. Kimmerer has gifted us!
Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer does it again! In a way that I have come to find only she can, Dr. Kimmerer teaches us about the lessons we can glean from the natural world in an approachable, digestible, and poetic manner. Dr. Kimmerer invites readers to reflect on the meaning of abundance and reciprocity by highlighting the natural gift economy created by Serviceberries. In doing so, she calls us on to challenge the construct of scarcity and explains the implications our consumptive economy has on Earth's natural resources.
As an Odawa reader, I appreciated Dr. Kimmerer's inclusion of Potawatomi language and Anishinaabe perspectives throughout the book; reading this book felt healing in a way I cannot yet describe. The illustrations throughout this book were beautiful and concise and a nice complement to Dr. Kimmerer's words. This book left me in a state of reflection and gratitude, questioning the ways in which I can engage in a reciprocal gift economy.
I highly recommend everyone read this important, concise work that Dr. Kimmerer has gifted us!
September 25, 2024
*disclaimer - I received this book free of charge from a Goodreads giveaway*
I will read anything Robin Kimmerer releases. Her books are like being given a hug that's full of hope, if that makes any sense.
I think books like this are also vitally important in our modern world, and becoming more so by the day. In this book, Kimmerer focusing on the 'gift economy' and how she hopes and believes that such an economy will be more broadly adopted, especially in the US, where cutthroat capitalism is literally destroying the Earth. I also appreciated her stating that corporations aren't these entities unto themselves, but are run by real humans who sit in boardrooms and make the conscious, selfish decision to suck the world dry in the name of lining their pockets with money that won't safe them when the world burns.
I agree with pretty much everything covered and hoped for in this book. We must look out for and care for each other, or all will come to naught. The only thing I wish is that all those selfish bastards in those boardrooms could be forced to read this book. Over and over and over again until they maybe grow a soul.
I will read anything Robin Kimmerer releases. Her books are like being given a hug that's full of hope, if that makes any sense.
I think books like this are also vitally important in our modern world, and becoming more so by the day. In this book, Kimmerer focusing on the 'gift economy' and how she hopes and believes that such an economy will be more broadly adopted, especially in the US, where cutthroat capitalism is literally destroying the Earth. I also appreciated her stating that corporations aren't these entities unto themselves, but are run by real humans who sit in boardrooms and make the conscious, selfish decision to suck the world dry in the name of lining their pockets with money that won't safe them when the world burns.
I agree with pretty much everything covered and hoped for in this book. We must look out for and care for each other, or all will come to naught. The only thing I wish is that all those selfish bastards in those boardrooms could be forced to read this book. Over and over and over again until they maybe grow a soul.
August 25, 2024
Note: I had the great pleasure of receiving an ARC of this book from Simon & Schuster and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions of the following review are my own.
The Serviceberry: An Economy of Abundance by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a heartfelt and thought-provoking exploration of our connection to the natural world. With a blend of poetic prose and deep wisdom, Kimmerer encourages us to move away from a mindset of scarcity and consumption, embracing instead the principles of gratitude and reciprocity. Through reflections on Indigenous traditions and ecological economics, she invites us to rethink our relationship with the earth, seeing it not just as a resource but as a partner in sustaining life. Although brief, this book is packed with insights and poetic metaphors that resonate on a personal level, making it a meaningful and enriching read for anyone looking to deepen their connection to the environment. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a more thoughtful and sustainable way of living.
The Serviceberry: An Economy of Abundance by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a heartfelt and thought-provoking exploration of our connection to the natural world. With a blend of poetic prose and deep wisdom, Kimmerer encourages us to move away from a mindset of scarcity and consumption, embracing instead the principles of gratitude and reciprocity. Through reflections on Indigenous traditions and ecological economics, she invites us to rethink our relationship with the earth, seeing it not just as a resource but as a partner in sustaining life. Although brief, this book is packed with insights and poetic metaphors that resonate on a personal level, making it a meaningful and enriching read for anyone looking to deepen their connection to the environment. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a more thoughtful and sustainable way of living.
August 30, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. This is a thoughtful exploration of the gift economy in the face of mass production, mass consumption, hoarding, and other capitalist systems. Kimmerer orients the reader with a simple example— the gift of the serviceberry that provides food for herself, her neighbors, and the forest ecosystem— before diving into the larger ways we rely on each other. The shift in mindset is accompanied by tangible actions, including incremental change and creative disruption. As a librarian, this was a joy to read.
I especially love the end note of the book: “The author’s advance payments for this book about the gift economy of the natural world will be donated as a reciprocal gift, back to the land, for land protection, restoration, and justice in support of healing land and people.” It reinforced my desire to not only share the book but look into local sanctuaries. Kimmerer being able to impart her generous spirit in such a short piece is the hallmark of a great writer.
I especially love the end note of the book: “The author’s advance payments for this book about the gift economy of the natural world will be donated as a reciprocal gift, back to the land, for land protection, restoration, and justice in support of healing land and people.” It reinforced my desire to not only share the book but look into local sanctuaries. Kimmerer being able to impart her generous spirit in such a short piece is the hallmark of a great writer.
July 26, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book!
Having read and loved Braiding Sweetgrass, this was high on my list of anticipated releases. I will read anything Kimmerer puts out. She is so smart, and you can feel how much she cares with every word.
I did not know going in that this started as an essay that became expanded upon, so this is a great place to start with Kimmerer's work if you're new to her. I was a little sad that I couldn't sink my teeth in like with Braiding Sweetgrass, but this turned out to be exactly what I needed.
The concepts discussed are not new but are so important if we want to sustain life in any regard. As somebody who wishes capitalism wasn't a thing because it's absurd, but am only one person leading me to feel discouraged and depressed, Kimmerer swoops in and reminds me that small acts can lead to big change. I can't wait until this is released so I can share all of the fabulous quotes.
I loved this. 🫶
Having read and loved Braiding Sweetgrass, this was high on my list of anticipated releases. I will read anything Kimmerer puts out. She is so smart, and you can feel how much she cares with every word.
I did not know going in that this started as an essay that became expanded upon, so this is a great place to start with Kimmerer's work if you're new to her. I was a little sad that I couldn't sink my teeth in like with Braiding Sweetgrass, but this turned out to be exactly what I needed.
The concepts discussed are not new but are so important if we want to sustain life in any regard. As somebody who wishes capitalism wasn't a thing because it's absurd, but am only one person leading me to feel discouraged and depressed, Kimmerer swoops in and reminds me that small acts can lead to big change. I can't wait until this is released so I can share all of the fabulous quotes.
I loved this. 🫶
September 7, 2024
This book is basically a bite-sized version of Kimmerer's previous books. Kimmerer argues in favor of a gift-giving economy instead of a purely extractive, capitalist one. Kimmerer acknowledges that we cannot upend our current economy completely, but we can work to incorporate more gift giving into our local economies.
Pros: This book is short, sweet, and to the point.
Cons: Being so short, a lot of analysis is missing. For example, it's mentioned that gifts should flow from the wealthy to the less fortunate, but this isn't emphasized. Therefore, I can see wealthy people reading this book, patting themself on the back for building a little free library in their affluent suburb, and then going and voting against the building of affordable housing in their neighborhood.
Despite this shortcoming, I still highly recommend this book.
**I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.**
Pros: This book is short, sweet, and to the point.
Cons: Being so short, a lot of analysis is missing. For example, it's mentioned that gifts should flow from the wealthy to the less fortunate, but this isn't emphasized. Therefore, I can see wealthy people reading this book, patting themself on the back for building a little free library in their affluent suburb, and then going and voting against the building of affordable housing in their neighborhood.
Despite this shortcoming, I still highly recommend this book.
**I received a free copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.**
August 26, 2024
"Gratitude and reciprocity are the currency of a gift economy, and they have the remarkable property of multiplying with every exchange, their energy concentrating as they pass from hand to hand, a truly renewable resource."
In The Serviceberry, Robin Wall Kimmerer poses a not-so-new concept of living from an abundant mindset rather than a scarcity mindset, redistributing wealth equally among a community, and using gratitude and connection as a currency, rather than goods and money. This is the principle of the gift economy.
Brilliantly written and profound, this essay should be a must-read for economics students especially, who believe that capitalism is the only solution to growing economies, rather than a "gift economy in which abundance is stores 'in the belly of my brother'".
In The Serviceberry, Robin Wall Kimmerer poses a not-so-new concept of living from an abundant mindset rather than a scarcity mindset, redistributing wealth equally among a community, and using gratitude and connection as a currency, rather than goods and money. This is the principle of the gift economy.
Brilliantly written and profound, this essay should be a must-read for economics students especially, who believe that capitalism is the only solution to growing economies, rather than a "gift economy in which abundance is stores 'in the belly of my brother'".
September 4, 2024
I really enjoyed reading The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer. In this book, Kimmerer discusses the gift economy of the Earth versus the scarcity economy of capitalism. She educates about Indigenous gift economies and encourages the reader to invest in small scale gift economies that center gratitude for the gifts of Earth.
I love how Kimmerer questions the assumptions made by colonialism and capitalism. I felt like this book gave me hope for new ways to interact with the community. Even if we can’t change our capitalist economy overnight, it is still worthwhile to invest in a local gift economy.
I’d recommend this book for anyone who is hoping for a more sustainable way to interact with our communities and with the Earth.
I received an advance copy of this book for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
I love how Kimmerer questions the assumptions made by colonialism and capitalism. I felt like this book gave me hope for new ways to interact with the community. Even if we can’t change our capitalist economy overnight, it is still worthwhile to invest in a local gift economy.
I’d recommend this book for anyone who is hoping for a more sustainable way to interact with our communities and with the Earth.
I received an advance copy of this book for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews