The Serviceberry: An Economy of Gifts and Abundance

I struggled to decide how to rate this book, which is more of a long essay than a book in reality. I had expected more, but what is here is so important and so beautifully woven that it has to be given 5 stars. Although the book often repeats itself, I love the wild hope of gift economies of mutual aid, gratitude, and reciprocity running alongside our damaging capitalist market economy bringing healing for human and more-than-human communities. And I love the final part where Robin Wall-Kimmerer uses the example of disturbed ecosystems and the subsequent activities of plants to demonstrate a different way. This is indeed a short book but there is so much in it that is worthy of study and further reflection. I am grateful for that. I am writing this review the day after witnessing the example of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budd speaking truth to power in a similarly gentle but powerfully challenging voice. Change does not have to come through might, but can come through love and the determination to speak up for something better. The change is only a breath away. This book is a gift. Let it be the beginning of better.

A very inspiring resume of RWK's philosophy

Book as described and much appreciated as a gift for a thoughtful person. Well packed and arrived on time.

I gift this book to anyone and everyone. It’s a perfect introduction to the unique writings of Robin Wall Kimmerer who opens are eyes and hearts to the deep wisdom of American indigenous peoples.

Great little book, with a lot that resonates.

This is an extraordinary book. Reading it in an afternoon, I was left with a feeling of profound peace and joy. I will be assigning it to the two college classes I’m teaching this spring. I’m a big fan of Kimmerer’s work; this only reinforced my respect.

Bought this because heard good reviews. Disappointing as applies to the US.

A book that offers hope and optimism for the future. It left me feeling happy - thanks for that gift Robin!

A beautiful book that makes some excellent points, but while it will encourage me to consider and engage more with the gift economy, it still terrifies me in that I cannot see how we will ever halt the inexorable consumerist market economy that entrenches inequality and manufactured scarcity.

I love the writings of Robin Wall Kimmerer; I loved reading BRAIDING SWEETGRASS. THE SERVICEBERRY is just about as good. The emphasis here is on abundance and reciprocity....and giving/sharing. The problem is that in most cases the wrong people will read this book. Those who could most benefit from the messages in it won't read it but will just continue on with their endless taking. John Burgoyne's drawings are great also.

A lovely gentle and inspiring read

I was so excited when I saw that a new book by Dr Robin Wall Kimmerer is coming out! So I ordered it straight away, and a couple of days later, I was fully submerged in her thoughts of gift economy. The book is lovely, the delivery was super prompt, so all in all: five stars and one more :)

This beautiful little book gives you plenty to think about. The illustrations complement the text perfectly and help convey it's sweet message. I expected it to be a bit longer, but it's the expansion of an essay/article done previously. I love the author's insights based on her Native American heritage. There is so much wisdom there. The core message of the analogy to the serviceberry is reflected in the subtitle, "Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World." Everything we have and need comes from the Earth as a gift. We should take only what we need. Greed and hoarding are not how nature operates. When do we attain the feeling of "enoughness?" It's message is also nicely expressed in Chief Seattle's quote, "Take only memories, leave only footprints" from a speech he gave on honoring the environment. Sharing builds friends and community. Giving back benefits both the donor and the recipient. She states, "Gratitude and reciprocity are the currency of a gift economy, and they have the remarkable property of multiplying with every exchange, their energy concentrating as they pass from hand to hand, a truly renewable resource." Indigenous cultures had a beautiful concept of community and taking care of one other. Small communities often operate in a similar manner. Each of us could start with our families by instilling the concept of giving, reciprocity, and gratitude, then expanding it to friends, neighbors, and relatives. After all, it's the family where such beliefs should begin.