The title "This Organic Life" is a misnomer. I was looking for a book about organic gardening, methods, real-life experience, practical tips. I saw the title of this book, read reviews and thought it sounded like the book for which I was looking.

However, the author states a few times througout the book that she gardens organically, but really doesn't go into detail about organic gardening at all.

The title misses the most important aspect of this book - growing food locally. It took several chapters for that idea to develop and I actually began to lose interest. The benefits of growing food locally and the real cost of eating from a global market should have been introduced earlier in the book. Ms. Gussow has done extensive study on this subject and the book is littered with little facts about the benefits of growing food locally. Much of the information on the real cost of eating from a global market is disturbing and this book makes me more committed than ever to garden, organically and to produce local food.

In the end, I enjoyed the book, but it was not what I had expected.

I haven't tried any of the recipes yet, but they were a nice addition to the book.

I have read scores of books on organic gardening, permaculture, the environment, and food... This book tops my list of must-reads! Every living, breathing, eating adult needs this book! (while you're at it check out "The Organic Gardener's Home Reference" it's a wonderfully comprehensive and precise reference)

Ms. Gussow's book is an important work that enlightens the reader to the meaning of eating and living locally. She tells us about the costly effects, both personal and global, of eating food that comes from half way around the world (if we know where it comes from at all). She paints a beautiful picture of the glories of growing and eating food produced locally, all from her own experience. Her gardens are astounding, something to aspire to! But so is her knowledge of nutrition, agricultural politics and organic gardening. Key points in her writing are puncuated with simple, delicious recipes. Her granola is great! I look forward to trying more of them when things come in to season. She reminds me of MFK Fisher, with a very clear and pointed social conscience. Reading this book has inspired me to be much more aware of where my food comes from and has given me good reason to always ask the supermarket to sell me local produce when possible.