Secrets of the Soil : New Solutions for Restoring Our Planet

This is a thoroughly researched book that will astonish you in more ways than one. It is HIGHLY educational, but you won't find any of this valuable information in a standard textbook on soil science, gardening, or whatever.

Some of it might seem a little far-fetched or at least put a little pressure on preconceived beliefs, but the nice thing is, Tomkins & Bird have found a way to present some rather amazing concepts in a take-it-leave it sort of way, because the most assured thing about this book is that you will be inspired with the DESIRE to do SOMETHING no matter how "small" the beneficial act!

While the factual information about mankind's stupidity and carelessness over the last few decades will break your heart all over again, this book offers many different ways for each of us as individuals to help heal the soil - the very foundation of life under our own two feet - and to help heal OURSELVES in the process.

Even if your custodial duties only incude managing your own lawn, a few trees, some flower beds or HEY a little compost pile with kitchen scraps and pulled weeds -- this book will inspire and empower you to begin helping to restore (or at least convince you to stop trying to kill) the vast UNIVERSE of microorganisms which live literally in your own back yard! Given half a chance, these little "buggers" will work hard to produce all the natural chemicals you will ever need to enjoy soft green healthy grass in your lawn, lovely fragrant flowers, nice sturdy and shady trees, and if you're into growing foodstuffs, wonderfully healthy food containing life-giving protoplasm and perfectly cheltated minerals... WOW... and all these things absolutely free of charge!

This book will re-acquaint you with the "lowly" earthworm which is far from being a worthless creature! Ancient peoples who were far more "in tune" with the inner workings of nature and who demonstrated far better common sense than their modern counterparts (us) revered this gentle organism. You will quickly learn the reasons why!

What is all the fuss about "hierloom seed" varieties? It's not just a bunch of sentimental folks who are trying to preserve their grandad's favorite tomato and great grandma's favorite pretty flowers, or who just like collecting a different sort of "antique".

Do you get all upset with WEEDS? Think again. The neat information in this book puts the "we" back into weeds again. It's entirely possible to "make peace with these weeds" and end the bloody war with the use of our backyard chemical weapons. Weeds are visible indicators that our soil needs certain nutrients or minor assistance. If we pay attention, we can learn from them, and they will quietly become less bothersome. Think I'm kidding? No way. And there's much much more!

This book will really change the way you think about the earth as a whole, about the "dirt" under our feet, and about Life in general. And the title is apt, the things you learn are real "secrets" that should no longer be kept secret.

Your Soul will thank you for this read.


Secrets of the Soils will open your eyes to unseen worlds.   March 8, 1999
Allan Balliett igg@igg.com (Shepherdstown, WV)
27 out of 28 found this review helpful

First published in 1989 by Harpers and Row, "Secrets of the Soil" not only breathed new life into an increasingly solipsistic U.S. Biodynamic movement, it also provided the initial pulse for the growing interest among American alternative agriculturists in the use of "subtle energies" to boost the productivity of their farms and gardens by enhancing soil fertility while providing new means of working with pests and plant diseases. Radionics, Cosmiculture, Chelation, Vortices, Agnihotra, are all covered in Secrets of the Soil with unerring insight and enough depth to keep the home researcher motivated for a lifetime. As if this were not enough, all the information about fringe science, the Towers of Power, the Cosmic Pipes, the Dowsing and the "Wishing," is sandwiched between four thick chapters and two fat appendices that cover Biodynamic agriculture in about as straight forward and practical of a fashion as you will find anywhere. If you work with plants or eat food and don't own this book, you better buy it now! It will give you something to think about, or, in other words: thought for food!


Life changing reading   October 24, 1997
36 out of 39 found this review helpful

Secrets of the soil changed the way that I approach life. The book details the wonders of how everything is connected in the cosmos, and we are but a tiny but powerful influance on our home.This book led me to discover the life saving benifits of minerals. it is simply a good good read.there are NO chemicals used in our garden or home thanks to secrets of the soil. it's a shame this book is out of print. it should be required reading in all of the school systems in the world, it's that informative. Best book I have read to date. Rev.Bruce Curtis


A superbly detailed look at biodynamic agriculture.   May 29, 1999
22 out of 25 found this review helpful

A superbly detailed look at biodynamic agriculture around the world, as it developed from the principles of Rudolf Steiner. All you ever wanted to know about Rudolf Steiner, Anthroposophy and Steiner's "Spiritual Science". Includes several wonderful appendices giving the story behind Steiner - his ideological origins in Theosophy and back to Madame Blavatsky, the nineteenth century phenomonon. Also includes detailed appendices for many of the agricultural specifics involved in making Steiner preparations for the soil. These are the wonderful writers who brought us "The Secret Life of Plants".


Read What Others Have to Say   March 24, 1999
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

"With the environment in such a needy state, what a boon to move away from problems and hear about viable solutions. peter Tompkins and Christopher Bird go well beyond explaining how agricultural chemicals are poisoning our soil, our food and us. Spanning the globe from teh Himalayas tot he Blue Ridge Mountains, they look in on an emerging breed of farmers who, with rousing success, are kicking the chemical habit and going organic...Secrets of the Soil puts the spotlight on the benefits of traditional agriculture wherein the only chemicals used are the Earth's own." -- Ann Parson, Boston Herald