Life on land could not exist without soil. Almost everything we need can be traced to the soil: food, fibre, medicines—even oxygen produced by plants. What would we be without it? Certainly not a planet worthy of the name Earth.
There are already plenty of books about agriculture, ecology or how to grow tomatoes. This book is about the other stuff. Like...
* how soil evidence can nail a murderer
* the ingredients that make a Test cricket pitch
* how the soil affects the taste of your favourite wine
* the soil microbes that could be the next wonder drug
* tips for digging a POW camp escape tunnel (disclaimer: don't try it at home) or mounting an invasion of Normandy (ditto)
* how to be ecofriendly when you're dead
In the unputdownable Grounded, soil scientist Alisa Bryce gives you the dirt on all this—and much, much more.
'Lively and entertaining...Grounded is a terrific primer to the world of soil. It will be appreciated by the non-expert citizen scientist and is the perfect present for those curious about the world around them. After reading Grounded, you will never look at soil the same way again.' Books+Publishing
'No, I did not think that I would need to read a book about soil, but oh, I loved it...It's a triumph. Just wonderful.' Caroline Overington Australian
'In [Alisa Bryce's] hands, these soil stories are thoroughly entertaining...[and] very accessible...You don't need to be a soil nerd to make like a worm and get into it.' ABC Organic Gardener
