"In this entertaining young readers edition of the environmental studies classic, Michael Pollan demonstrates how people and domesticated plants have formed a reciprocal relationship. He links four fundamental human desires--sweetness, beauty, energy, and control--with the plants that satisfy them: the apple, the tulip, coffee, and the potato. In telling the stories of four familiar species, Pollan illustrates how the plants have evolved to satisfy humankind's most basic yearnings. And just as we've benefited from these plants, we have also helped them to thrive." --Provided by publisher.

"With new preface"--Dust jacket.

Preface -- Introduction : The Bees and me -- Desire : Sweetness / Plant : The apple -- Desire : Beauty / Plant : The tulip -- Desire : Energy / Plant : Coffee and tea -- Desire : Control / Plant : The potato -- Epilogue : Patterns with nature.