“Science has taught me that everything is more complicated than we first assume, and that being able to derive happiness from discovery is a recipe for a beautiful life.”

Hope Jahren is an award-winning Paleo biologist and research professor who conducts her research with her lab partner Bill. They study trees, flowers, seeds and soil. “America says it loves science, but it sure as hell doesn’t want to pay for it”, laments Jahren as she is always seeking funding for her ongoing research.

The memoir follows Hope and Bill as they travel the United States doing research and teaching at universities. It is full of humor and interesting information about the trees, flowers, plants, and soil that they study.