The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms

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Summary: A Captivating Tribute!!
Review: Amy Stewart has written a spellbinding treatise on EARTHWORMS!
She couples fascinating facts ("one plant in Korea processes eighty tons of sludge every day in a giant earthworm reactor.")with historical research (Charles Darwin's last book was on earthworms) to create an astonishing tribute to one of our most overlooked allies. Ms. Stewart does this with succulent prose that is a joy to read. I've ordered my worms after reading this surprising book, and hope that they enjoy Alaska...

This book is lovely, and the author's enthusiasm shines through! A must read!

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Summary: This book is great!!
Review: Amy Stewart insists that she is not a scientist, and I believe that is why this book is so wonderful. First of all, it's readable. She does a great job of explaining what the earthworm does, how certain species differ from each other, and how they are playing a vital role on the earth. There's a very informative chapter on a "green" sewage treatment plant in San Francisco that is utilizing earthworms. Also, some great info about giant earthworm bins that help compost animal manure from dairy farms. An interesting chapter about how earthworms are hurting (from a human point of view) the growth of hardwood forests in Minnesota. Definetly check this book out.

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Summary: The Worm Turns Out to Be Fascinating
Review: Even if you aren't a gardener, you probably know that if soil has plenty of earthworms, it is healthy soil. People didn't always know this. It used to be thought that earthworms were parasites, eating at the roots of plants gardeners wanted to flourish. Chief among the instructors that made gardeners change their minds about the humble earthworm was none other than Charles Darwin, who was fascinated by the creatures, experimented on their abilities, and wrote his final book, _The Formation of Vegetable Mould, Through the Action of Worms, With Observations on Their Habits_, in 1881. Darwin's work, and especially his curiosity and his enthusiasm for what worms do for us, run through all the chapters of _The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms_ (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill) by Amy Stewart. It is always good to be reminded of just how much natural history Darwin taught us in yet another field, rather than merely his overarching Theory of Evolution, but as Stewart shows, there are now microscopic and ecological investigations that Darwin could not have dreamed of, all of which convince her (and she will convince any reader) that the humble earthworm is a soil engineer that has made our world the way it is today.

Earthworms till the soil more intimately than any plough. By burrowing, they provide aeration. Earthworm manure (called castings) is highly valued by gardeners, and is even a cash crop for those who raise worms on a large scale. Earthworms promote bacteria in the soil, and most soil bacteria, rather than being bad germs, are useful in such things as converting ammonium to a form of nitrogen that plants can use, and breaking down other complex molecules so roots can absorb them. All that earthworms do has just started to be investigated; they are hard to investigate, because it is hard to see what they are doing without disturbing them, even in laboratory pens. There are species almost everywhere, even in isolated islands, and many of them have yet to be named or investigated. Complete life cycle studies have been done on fewer than a dozen species. Stewart's research has led her to confer with many academic and agricultural types who share her eagerness about her lowly subject. Not all the news is good, because earthworms are not good everywhere. In northern forests, where they are not native, they have been introduced by transplanting non-native plants or by fishermen dumping their unused bait. They are busy destroying the leaf fall that ought to remain on the ground to nurture the ferns, flowers, and seedling trees. But worms do have an important role to play in organic farming, even on large scales, and they can help with the treatment of animal manure or city sewage. At least one scientist has written that in furtherance of agriculture, earthworms are responsible for the development of each of the world's great civilizations.

Stewart herself does little experiments on her worms, from the same admirable sense of curiosity Darwin showed, but she is a gardener rather than a scientist. She knows just how Darwin felt, though, describing her own worms as "companionable creatures - clean, quiet, and hardworking," and from time to time, she brings some up from her own worm compost bin to her study, just to keep her company: "A pot of earthworms on the desk is a pleasant distraction." She has many remarks on her compost bin, into which go all her vegetable food scraps, and newspaper, and out of which come worm castings for her garden. She has a useful appendix to tell how to get going on worm composting yourself, and surely plenty of readers of this happy and informative book will do just that. Even those who don't go that far will have a renewed appreciation for earthworms and for the scientists who have probed the way they make the soil that sustains us.

Rating:
Summary: The Worm Turns Out to Be Fascinating
Review: Even if you aren't a gardener, you probably know that if soil has plenty of earthworms, it is healthy soil. People didn't always know this. It used to be thought that earthworms were parasites, eating at the roots of plants gardeners wanted to flourish. Chief among the instructors that made gardeners change their minds about the humble earthworm was none other than Charles Darwin, who was fascinated by the creatures, experimented on their abilities, and wrote his final book, _The Formation of Vegetable Mould, Through the Action of Worms, With Observations on Their Habits_, in 1881. Darwin's work, and especially his curiosity and his enthusiasm for what worms do for us, run through all the chapters of _The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms_ (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill) by Amy Stewart. It is always good to be reminded of just how much natural history Darwin taught us in yet another field, rather than merely his overarching Theory of Evolution, but as Stewart shows, there are now microscopic and ecological investigations that Darwin could not have dreamed of, all of which convince her (and she will convince any reader) that the humble earthworm is a soil engineer that has made our world the way it is today.

Earthworms till the soil more intimately than any plough. By burrowing, they provide aeration. Earthworm manure (called castings) is highly valued by gardeners, and is even a cash crop for those who raise worms on a large scale. Earthworms promote bacteria in the soil, and most soil bacteria, rather than being bad germs, are useful in such things as converting ammonium to a form of nitrogen that plants can use, and breaking down other complex molecules so roots can absorb them. All that earthworms do has just started to be investigated; they are hard to investigate, because it is hard to see what they are doing without disturbing them, even in laboratory pens. There are species almost everywhere, even in isolated islands, and many of them have yet to be named or investigated. Complete life cycle studies have been done on fewer than a dozen species. Stewart's research has led her to confer with many academic and agricultural types who share her eagerness about her lowly subject. Not all the news is good, because earthworms are not good everywhere. In northern forests, where they are not native, they have been introduced by transplanting non-native plants or by fishermen dumping their unused bait. They are busy destroying the leaf fall that ought to remain on the ground to nurture the ferns, flowers, and seedling trees. But worms do have an important role to play in organic farming, even on large scales, and they can help with the treatment of animal manure or city sewage. At least one scientist has written that in furtherance of agriculture, earthworms are responsible for the development of each of the world's great civilizations.

Stewart herself does little experiments on her worms, from the same admirable sense of curiosity Darwin showed, but she is a gardener rather than a scientist. She knows just how Darwin felt, though, describing her own worms as "companionable creatures - clean, quiet, and hardworking," and from time to time, she brings some up from her own worm compost bin to her study, just to keep her company: "A pot of earthworms on the desk is a pleasant distraction." She has many remarks on her compost bin, into which go all her vegetable food scraps, and newspaper, and out of which come worm castings for her garden. She has a useful appendix to tell how to get going on worm composting yourself, and surely plenty of readers of this happy and informative book will do just that. Even those who don't go that far will have a renewed appreciation for earthworms and for the scientists who have probed the way they make the soil that sustains us.

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Summary: I Was So Turned On By This Book
Review: Highly recommended for all worm fetishists. Extremely graphic!

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Summary: I'm a young GUY and I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: I definitely recommend this book to people of all ages. It's one of those books that you really cannot put down. VERY interesting!

Rating:
Summary: Great Job!
Review: I would definitely recommend this seller. My book arrived earlier than expected and in great condition!

Rating:
Summary: Great Job!
Review: I would definitely recommend this seller. My book arrived earlier than expected and in great condition!

Rating:
Summary: An Extraordinary Treasure of American non-fiction Literature
Review: This book is receiving raves across the country for good reason. First it is possessed of an undeniable charm in the writers voice that makes you smile along with her both at natures eccentricities and her marvels; second there is a wholeness to the book that makes earthworms relevant to their broader context in the way of an accomplished naturalist; and third it possesses a clarity of thought and simplicity of delivery that gives it the kind of elegance that all great writers strive to achieve. This book will grow because it takes a seemingly lowly subject and spins a tail of greatness. Charles Darwin an icon of modern science was fascinated with earthworms and you will be similarly engaged, (even if like me you're an ordinary Joe operating on a much more basic level) after you have read this wonderful book. Join a host of thinking people across this country, stretch your mind, learn something, and read this treasure of American non-fiction literature.

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Summary: For the gardener...
Review: What a delightful little book this is! Not long, not full of science-speak, and very earthy, I found myself anxious to get into my garden to inspect my own worms while reading it. Ms. Stewart is "one of us," not a scientist but a gardener who was curious about the worms she found in her backyard and pursued that curiosity to all our benefit. I can't say it has altered the way I think about worms and gardening, but it has expanded it. The basic idea presented throughout, a concept of Darwin's, is that the repetition of incremental change over long periods of time can and has brought about drastic change in the way the earth and its many species function (think evolution). The expanse of this idea is mind boggling when you stop to think that worms may be responsible for leveling mountains. And yet Ms. Stewart presents the evidence in a compelling and interesting way that this is pretty much what they do. If you've also heard that worms are ecological disasters, she explores that as well, visiting Minnesota where European worms are completely altering the balance of native forests. I think most of us will walk away from having read this book with at least a little awe at the purpose of something we scarcely ponder. The only thing missing, in my view, is some pictures. There are none save the cover art. I think that, considering the nature of the book, some photos of the various species she discusses and/or the effects of worms in the garden, forest, or worm bin would enhance the reading experience. As it was, however, it is a charming book deserving of a place on any gardening enthusiasts bookshelf, and the bookshelves of any who have some interest in biological or ecological science (and even waste management!).