The serviceberry : abundance and reciprocity in the natural world / Robin Wall Kimmerer ; with illustrations by John Burgoyne.
As Indigenous scientist and author of Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer harvests serviceberries alongside the birds, she considers the ethic of reciprocity that lies at the heart of the gift economy. How, she asks, can we learn from Indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most? Our economy is rooted in scarcity, competition, and the hoarding of resources, and we have surrendered our values to a system that actively harms what we love. Meanwhile, the serviceberry's relationship with the natural world is an embodiment of reciprocity, interconnectedness, and gratitude. The tree distributes its wealth--its abundance of sweet, juicy berries--to meet the needs of its natural community. And this distribution ensures its own survival. As Kimmerer explains, 'Serviceberries show us another model, one based upon reciprocity, where wealth comes from the quality of your relationships, not from the illusion of self-sufficiency'-- Provided by publisher.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781668072240
- ISBN: 1668072246
- Physical Description: 112 pages : illustrations ; 19 cm
- Edition: First Scribner hardcover edition.
- Publisher: New York, New York : Scribner, 2024.
- Copyright: ©2024
Content descriptions
- General Note:
- "This essay was originally published in Emergence Magazine"--Page 112.
Search for related items by subject
- Subject:
- Ethnobotany.
Ethnoecology.
Amelanchier > Philosophy.
Human ecology > Philosophy.
Botany > Philosophy.
Indian philosophy.
Economics > Moral and ethical aspects.
Traditional ecological knowledge.
Human-plant relationships.
Philosophy of nature.
Potawatomi Indians > Ethnobotany.
Potawatomi Indians > Social life and customs.
Science and civilization.
Sharing > Social aspects.
Berries > Harvesting. - Genre:
- Essays.
Available copies
- 82 of 104 copies available at NC Cardinal.
- 2 of 4 copies available at Onslow County Public Library. (Show)
Holds
- 1 current hold with 104 total copies.
Other Formats and Editions
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Main Library | 581.63 KIM (Text) | 36015000489134 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Richlands Branch Library | 581.63 KIM (Text) | 36015000489076 | Adult Nonfiction | Checked out | 08/26/2026 |
| Sneads Ferry Branch Library | 581.63 KIM (Text) | 36015000489019 | Adult Nonfiction | Checked out | 08/19/2026 |
| Swansboro Branch Library | 581.63 KIM (Text) | 36015000488953 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Albemarle Main Library | 113 Kim (Text) | 31010000874190 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Albemarle Main Library | 581.609 Kim (Text) | 31010000906539 | Adult Fiction | Available | - |
| Albert Carlton - Cashiers Community Library | 581.63 K (Text) | 39493110125095 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Alexander Main Library | 581.63 Kimmerer (Text) | 34269001479261 | Adult Nonfiction | Checked out | 09/01/2026 |
| Andrews Public Library | 113 KIM (Text) | 80605003736310 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
| Ashe County Public Library | 581.6 KIM (Text) | 50503011327006 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
Accessibility Features
Summary:
As Indigenous scientist and author of Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer harvests serviceberries alongside the birds, she considers the ethic of reciprocity that lies at the heart of the gift economy. How, she asks, can we learn from Indigenous wisdom and the plant world to reimagine what we value most? Our economy is rooted in scarcity, competition, and the hoarding of resources, and we have surrendered our values to a system that actively harms what we love. Meanwhile, the serviceberry's relationship with the natural world is an embodiment of reciprocity, interconnectedness, and gratitude. The tree distributes its wealth--its abundance of sweet, juicy berries--to meet the needs of its natural community. And this distribution ensures its own survival. As Kimmerer explains, 'Serviceberries show us another model, one based upon reciprocity, where wealth comes from the quality of your relationships, not from the illusion of self-sufficiency'--
