Michael Moore

Michael Moore (1941-2009) was a prominent medicinal herbalist and educator who founded the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine. His influential work in botanical medicine and herbal education shaped the modern herbalist movement in the United States. As an author, Moore produced several definitive reference works on botanical medicine, particularly focusing on plants native to the American Southwest. His publications helped bring previously obscure regional plant medicines into mainstream botanical practice and continue to serve as essential resources for herbalists. Moore operated the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine for 28 years, first in Albuquerque and later in Bisbee, where he trained generations of practicing herbalists. His work in preserving and digitizing historical texts from the Eclectic and Physiomedicalist traditions, particularly through his collaboration with the Lloyd Library, helped revive important historical knowledge of botanical medicine. While Moore was a strong advocate for herbal medicine, he maintained a balanced approach, acknowledging the role of conventional medicine when necessary. His educational website remains a valuable repository of botanical information, plant images, and teaching materials from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine.

Readers view Moore as a polarizing figure, with reviews focusing heavily on his political perspective rather than his writing style. Many question his accuracy and research methods. Positive reviews praise: - Makes complex topics accessible and entertaining - Highlights overlooked social issues - Uses humor effectively - Personal, conversational writing style Common criticisms: - Cherry-picks facts to support predetermined conclusions - Presents opinions as facts - Oversimplifies complex issues - Heavy bias and one-sided arguments Ratings across platforms: Goodreads averages: - Fahrenheit 9/11: 3.8/5 (37,000+ ratings) - Stupid White Men: 3.7/5 (25,000+ ratings) - Dude, Where's My Country?: 3.6/5 (19,000+ ratings) Amazon averages range from 3.5-4.1 stars, with reviews often split between 5-star and 1-star ratings. One frequent Amazon comment notes: "If you agree with Moore's politics, you'll love it. If you don't, you'll hate it."

Stupid White Men - A critique of American politics and corporate power during the George W. Bush administration, focusing on controversial policies and social issues.

Downsize This! - An examination of corporate America's practices of downsizing workers while maintaining executive profits, featuring Moore's signature investigative style.

Dude, Where's My Country? - An analysis of the Bush administration's actions following 9/11, including criticism of the Iraq War and American foreign policy.

Mike's Election Guide 2008 - A handbook covering the 2008 presidential election, including commentary on candidates and key political issues.

Here Comes Trouble: Stories from My Life - A memoir containing personal stories from Moore's early life and his development as an activist and filmmaker.

Rosemary Gladstar has authored comprehensive guides on herbal medicine with a focus on practical applications and traditional knowledge. Her work bridges traditional herbalism with modern practice, including detailed plant profiles and preparation methods.

Matthew Wood combines traditional Western herbalism with a systematic approach to plant energetics and tissue states. His books examine the philosophical and practical foundations of herbal medicine while incorporating insights from historical sources and clinical experience.

David Winston specializes in Cherokee botanical traditions and combines this with Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western clinical herbalism. His writing focuses on the scientific basis of herbal medicine while maintaining connections to traditional knowledge systems.

Christopher Hobbs brings scientific research together with traditional herbal knowledge through his background as both an herbalist and researcher. His publications focus on evidence-based approaches to herbal medicine while maintaining practical accessibility.

James Green presents systematic approaches to understanding herbal energetics and medicine-making techniques. His work emphasizes the practical aspects of herbal preparation and clinical applications while incorporating traditional wisdom.