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The Garden Jungle (Dave Goulson)

I don't think I've written a book review since third form, but felt moved to write briefly about Dave Goulson's The Garden Jungle.

Spoiler alert: I would have been surprised if I didn't like it. I'm familiar with Dave's work as a scientist, author and founder of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.

OK, so the book's not perfect. There are some things which didn't quite work. The chapters are headed by recipes, which add to its charm, but which I'm not sure fit. It's sometimes stylistically clunky. These are small things. This is a book I would love to have written, full of key ideas about fighting biodiversity loss and climate change. I couldn't find anything I disagreed with either philosophically or in practical terms*, and came across many - possibly most - of the messages I've tried to communicate over the years.

Orchards, meadows, ponds, and - of course - a fantastical cast of small animals. These are some of my favourite things. How lovely to read about them and their importance here. And the section on chemicals deserves close attention too; Dave was one of the earliest to sound the alarm on the effects of neonicotinoids.

It is - of course - a book which is well informed and evidence based throughout. Concepts are delivered in an accessible, practical, non-preachy, and upbeat way. Dave's enthusiasm for the subject drives the book on. He takes no prisoners; I loved the section on wildflower seed, for example.

I often - usually - almost always - have reservations about this sort of book. Last year we had "Rewilding"; I struggled to get past some odd misconceptions and to understand its broader relevance. "The Garden Jungle" is different. There are really empowering ideas here for us all, and the more of us who read this book the better. Let's all get out in the garden and dig.

*although would probably buy my wildflower seed from... here!