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The Well Gardened Mind

Rediscovering Nature in the Modern World

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The Well Gardened Mind

By: Sue Stuart-Smith
Narrated by: Sue Stuart-Smith
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About this listen

‘The wisest book I’ve read for many years … Much more than a gardening book, much more than a guide to mental health … Hugely recommended’ Stephen Fry

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

A Times and Sunday Times Best Book of 2020

How can gardening relieve stress and help us look after our mental health? What lies behind the restorative power of the natural world?

In a powerful combination of contemporary neuroscience, psychoanalysis and brilliant storytelling, The Well Gardened Mind investigates the magic that many gardeners have known for years – working with nature can radically transform our health, wellbeing and confidence.

With illuminating stories of how people struggling with stress, depression, trauma and addiction can change their lives, this inspiring and wise book of science, insight and anecdote – now translated into fifteen languages – shows how our understanding of nature and its restorative powers is only just beginning to flower.

©2020 Sue Stuart-Smith (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Gardening & Horticulture Mental Health Personal Success Psychology Spirituality Gardening

Critic Reviews

‘Must be the most original gardening book ever’
SUNDAY TIMES

‘Fascinating … Extends the awareness – backed up by compendious and elegant research – of how mentally enriching it is to swap screen for green … [She] renders a very special service with this book’
OBSERVER

‘Stuart-Smith’s beautifully written book is filled with insights into the joys but also the therapeutic benefits that tending plants can offer …This is a life-affirming study of the pleasures of growing things’
GUARDIAN

‘Combines observation, horticulture, literature and history … it is a book that builds, chapter by chapter … As a reference and an inspiration … There is much here to feed the soul’
THE TIMES

‘An impressive achievement … this is an optimistic book’
SPECTATOR

‘A truly uplifting book on the power of gardening – and how it can change people’s lives. It’s a prevailing reminder that getting our hands in the soil and helping to grow plants and flowers makes all the difference to our minds and wellbeing’
STYLIST

‘A fascinating overlap between the still stumbling science of psychiatry and the ancient art of gardening’
FINANCIAL TIMES

‘A compelling and deeply moving account of how profoundly our wellbeing can be affected through contact with gardening and the natural world. This is a timely call of return. Read it.’
EDMUND DE WAAL

An important and timely book … Beautifully written … I urge everyone to read it’
MONTY DON

What listeners say about The Well Gardened Mind

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Great book, mediocre performance

The narrator seemed to struggle to get into it at times, and she can sound quite monotonous, but this book is definitely worth reading if you're interested in gardening, urban ecology, urban biodiversity, and/or mental health viz one health.

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A motivating and engaging read

I loved this book. While I am not a gardener - yet - the research in this about the benefits of garden and being in nature is wide ranging and fascinating. It has opened my eyes to the many opportunities we have for improving health care and mental health, as well as for being more present in the every day.

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a must read for 2020

loved this. it connected so many dots. it is well read, well researched and commanding.

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Brilliant

This book gave me so much insight into PTSD. It made so much sense and I devoured it whilst being in my garden! Thank you Carina

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Breathtaking

breathtakingly insightful, soft yet strong. moving and relevant.
thank you to the author for taking the time to write this book

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The best book I've listened to this year!

Life changing... incredible piece of work. You will recommend this to everyone you know!

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