“A useful stepping-off point for a relevant topic.”
- Kirkus Reviews
“A nuanced plea for a more informed relationship with the natural world . . . Evocative, convincing . . . Rich with interviews, anecdotes, and citations, Levinovitz’s work makes a strong case for the wisdom of compromise and humility.”
- Publishers Weekly
“In a fascinating tour across time, cultures, and ideas, Alan Levinovitz shows us how the worship of an abstract idea of nature can lead us astray in everything from our health to the laws we pass and even how we structure our governments and our way of life. This book is required reading for anyone who wants to face the scientific and moral challenges of the twenty-first century with a clear head.”
- Tom Nichols, author of The Death of Expertise
“The idea of ‘natural’ is one of the most potent forces in our culture, shaping everything from cosmetics to public policy—sometimes for the better, more often not. What makes ‘natural’ so powerful is, in part, the fact that it is seldom laid bare and considered carefully. In Natural, Alan Levinovitz does that and more. With elegant prose, engaging stories, and nuanced judgments, he thoughtfully explores an idea that shapes our mental landscape.”
- Dan Gardner, author of Risk: The Science and Politics of Fear