Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses

Mosses are a prevalent but usually overlooked part of the natural world, existing just outside the reach of our normal senses. A brilliant blend of science and introspection, Gathering Moss encourages readers to investigate and discover the gracefully uncomplicated lives of mosses. The book by Robin Wall Kimmerer is neither a scientific treatise nor an identifying guide. Instead, it's a collection of interconnected personal narratives that will help scientists and laypeople alike comprehend how mosses thrive and how their existence is entwined with that of innumerable other creatures, such as rednecks, salmon, and hummingbirds. Kimmerer reflects on the lessons that these amazing creatures may impart to us while skillfully and concisely explaining the biology of mosses.

Kimmerer explains the moss tales both scientifically and within the context of indigenous methods of knowing, drawing on her many experiences as a scientist, mother, teacher, and writer of Native American descent. The moss' natural history and social structures serve as a potent metaphor for global living practices throughout the book.

A broad readership, including enthusiasts of bryology, natural history and the environment, Native Americans, and modern nature and scientific literature, will find Gathering Moss appealing.