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Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms
Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms | Amy Stewart
20 posts | 25 read | 25 to read
In "The Earth Moved," Amy Stewart takes us on a journey through the underground world and introduces us to one of its most amazing denizens. The earthworm may be small, spineless, and blind, but its impact on the ecosystem is profound. It ploughs the soil, fights plant diseases, cleans up pollution, and turns ordinary dirt into fertile land. Who knew? In her witty, offbeat style, Stewart shows that much depends on the actions of the lowly worm. Charles Darwin devoted his last years to the meticulous study of these creatures, praising their remarkable abilities. With the august scientist as her inspiration, Stewart investigates the worm's subterranean realm, talks to oligochaetologists the unsung heroes of earthworm science who have devoted their lives to unearthing the complex life beneath our feet, and observes the thousands of worms in her own garden. From the legendary giant Australian worm that stretches to ten feet in length to the modest nightcrawler that wormed its way into the heart of Darwin's last book to the energetic red wigglers in Stewart's compost bin, "The Earth Moved" gives worms their due and exposes their hidden and extraordinary universe. This book is for all of us who appreciate Mother Nature's creatures, no matter how humble."
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Creme_de_la_them
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Pickpick

Book #5 of the year: “The Earth Moved” by Amy Stewart

Absolutely amazing book about earthworms, mostly in the US but with a few looks around the world. If you‘re interested in worms, composting, or agriculture, definitely a book for you. I loved every page.

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okthislooksbad
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Pickpick

Earth worms are SO COOL and we should appreciate them more. This never felt like info-dumping, and I didn't zone out once while listening to this. That, it itself, is high praise.

Suet624 It is indeed high praise. 2y
23 likes1 comment
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CaitZ
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Pickpick

Did you know most earthworms in the U.S. are non-native, including nightcrawlers? I picked this because I enjoy Stewart's Kopp Sisters books. She made worms interesting and I learned how important they are. First book finished for #MarvellousMay @Andrew65

Tamra This was a very interesting portrait of worms! 2y
Andrew65 Sounds very interesting, well done 👏👏👏 2y
Linsy I might need to read this one! Saying I loved Wicked Plants is an understatement. 2y
28 likes3 comments
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SkeletonKey
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Current audiobook. Surprisingly fascinating look into the world of WORMS.

It has made me decide I might get some pet compost worms to keep in the kitchen so I can say good morning to someone every day.

SpiderGoddess I absolutely loved this book!! 4y
SkeletonKey @SpiderGoddess - Agreed, it‘s been so good! 4y
SpiderGoddess Might I also recommend, "The Soil Will Save Us" by Kristin Ohlson? Great book on a similar topic. 4y
SkeletonKey @SpiderGoddess - Thanks, I‘ll add it to my list. 4y
37 likes4 comments
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Brooke_H
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Pickpick

This is a fun microhistory of earthworms. I learned a lot, although I still don't think I could tell one kind of worm from another. I think the worms we have around here are field worms? I really liked the descriptions of Stewart's garden and worm bin. She really loves those little dudes. I think this book could benefit from some illustrations, I'm imagining drawings with diagrammed worm parts.

Tamra I LOVED this book! Who knew earthworms were so interesting? 5y
Brooke_H @Tamra I know! It was so fun learning about them. 5y
wanderinglynn Sounds fascinating. Stacked! 5y
MaleficentBookDragon I don't think i could read this. Worms freak me out. A lot. 😬 5y
Brooke_H @MaleficentBookDragon I think you‘d be okay reading...but do NOT google photos of worms! 😳😂 5y
15 likes5 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
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44 likes1 stack add
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rockpools
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I've found another author I need to read! Life #underarock. #nofemmeber @Cinfhen @Billypar

Cinfhen Amy Stewert seems to write a ton of interesting nonfiction 😍 6y
rockpools @Cinfhen I wasn't really aware of her, but they look like fun reads! 6y
Cathythoughts Nice one 👍🏻 6y
See All 7 Comments
Tamra Oh my gosh, this is like the 4th book this morning I‘ve seen posted that is in my top favorites! 6y
Billypar Intriguing subject! Did not know the name for earthworm scientist was oligochaetologist (sp?)- the sort of person I would like to corner at a cocktail party and ask a bunch of questions 😀 6y
rockpools @Tamra I'm REALLY going to have to find a copy now! 6y
rockpools @Billypar I don't think I even knew 'earthworm scientist' was a thing, never mind a thing with a fancy name. But what a fab job! 6y
56 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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Lindy
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Pickpick

“I have come to understand, like Darwin had, that earthworms are not destroyers, but redeemers. They move through waste and decay in their contemplative way, sifting, turning it into something else, something that is better.”
Fascinating science about a keystone species, told in a charming way. #Audiobook performed by Heather Henderson would be great for family listening on a car trip. New vocabulary: Oligochaetologist

49 likes5 stack adds
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Lindy
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Any environment, any single life is in a continuous state of change. This is just more obvious when you pay attention to earthworms. Their work may seem unspectacular at first. They don't chirp or sing, they don't gallop or soar, they don't hunt or make tools or write books. But they do something just as powerful: they consume, they transform, they change the earth.

37 likes2 stack adds
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JessNevertheless
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Trying to keep up with my non-fiction goals for the year and stay with a creepy theme for October. I can handle snakes and spiders but earthworms freak me out! So far this book is helping me to appreciate all they do but still 1000% don't want to encounter one anytime soon!

Crazeedi I love seeing earthworms in my garden and flowers, I know the dirt is nutritious for all the living rhings... 6y
JessNevertheless @Crazeedi Yeah I'm happy they're in my plants but not so thrilled to actually see them 😰 6y
k.reads Dude, yeah. No thank you on worm encounters. 6y
ravenlee I am trying to steel myself for creepy-crawly encounters so my 5-year-old can be more adventurous, and I really want to be that mom who picks up bugs and lets worms squirm on my hands...and just the thought makes me feel itchy and gross and creeped out! 6y
JessNevertheless @ravenlee It's the thought that counts even if you can't stomach the actual creepy crawlies. My sister loves all those things so I try to be supportive but theres only so much I can handle too! 6y
61 likes5 comments
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dastevensish
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Pickpick

Adored this gem of natural history.

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Samary
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Pickpick

Super interesting book. Even if you don‘t Garden. I‘ve never been creeped out by worms and it was neat to hear how they help and what the future holds!

SpiderGoddess I adore Amy Stewart!! 7y
RaimeyGallant I love this cover. 7y
15 likes2 comments
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JessFerg
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Pickpick

Fascinating and strangely inspiring. Add this to your list not only if you like natural history but also if you are a fan of books like Garbage Land, Gone Tomorrow, or Waste and Want.

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BookishMarginalia
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Listening to this audiobook by @AmyStewart while staring at some fallen trees. @WanderingBookaneer is getting us ice cream!

Tamra One of my favorite NF reads, unexpectedly fascinating! 7y
118 likes1 comment
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silentrequiem
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This book about earthworms is the BEST BOOK. And it's on sale!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HQO222

18 likes1 stack add
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queerbookreader
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On chapter 2 and I am OBSESSED already. It's not a fact I usually flaunt because I know it sounds weird, but worms have always been one of my favorite animals and were my first favorite animal when I was young enough to decide that I had a favorite animal (4 years old ish?). I scream every time I see a worm and on rainy days I will move every worm from the driveway to the dirt so they don't get squished by the car. I 💜 worms a lot.

MemoirsForMe Worm huggers unite! 😁I also move worms from the sidewalk to the dirt so they don't fry during the summer. 8y
queerbookreader @UwannaPublishme Same!! Once I met a worm enthusiast at college and one rainy day we walked around campus and saved all the worms in the walkways from getting squished lmao we got a lot of weird looks that day 8y
Kimzey I too am a worm rescuer! I'm in an area prone to flash floods and have been known to move drowning worms to higher ground. Keep us posted on the book! 8y
52 likes1 stack add3 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
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Pickpick

I have been fascinated by earthworms since I discovered how relaxing it is to pick them out if a compost heap. After reading Drunken Botanist, I decided to read another book by Stewart and was riveted throughout this audiobook about earthworms. Learned many things, will retain fascinating tidbits, will recommend it to anyone. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[DELETED] 3517561138 I love that you love earthworms. That just puts a smile on my face! 8y
JanuarieTimewalker13 We're dead without earthworms!! They till and aerate the soil for us!!! Oh, I really want to read this! 8y
Kkhalifeh I just finished this!!!! 8y
64 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
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My companion on this morning's commute. @BookishMarginalia is still sick. 😕

PurpleyPumpkin Darn! Hopefully she's on the mend! 8y
KarenUK @BookishMarginalia feel better soon 💐 8y
rachelm @BookishMarginalia get well! 🤒 8y
57 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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tricours
Mehso-so

This was both a bit boring and too personal at the same time. I was expecting something more academic, less "OMG WORMS ARE AWESOME!!!!1", more facts.

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panache113
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Pickpick

Everything I didn't know, I needed to know about worms.