Ted Steinberg's book, American Green, gives a detailed description of the lawn and its role in America. He tells the history of the lawn since the origin of the word "lawn" itself in the 16th century and gives many anecdotes throughout the book that attempt to show the reader just how obsessed Americans are with their lawns. His anecdotes are often meant to represent people from all over America, but when you take a step back, you realize that they are actually rare stories that don't carry a broader meaning. Steinberg fails to prove that Americans are obsessed with their lawns because of the poor assumptions he makes and the examples he uses. From the beginning, Steinberg paints a skewed picture of lawn cultivation that puts the reader on notice. It is clear that he will criticize, even mock, those who care deeply about lawns, sometimes as an environmental offense and sometimes as nonsense. One has to assume that the story he writes about grass is accurate, but when he begins to interpret the story, he makes it seem like grass is a much more important matter in the mind of every American than it actually is. Having spent my entire life living in the suburbs, surrounded by houses with respectable lawns, I know that my lawn occupies a minimal part of my conscious thoughts and perhaps only a slightly higher part of my neighbors' thoughts. Steinberg tells me that I care more about the lawn than what I do, which I know is false. As Steinberg's basic assumption that Americans are obsessed with lawns is called into question, one must question the relevance of the examples he uses to prove his point. Therefore, Steinberg should provide concrete examples demonstrating a superior understanding of lawns... middle of paper ...... in the neighborhood rather than the aesthetic appearance of the lawn itself. The fact that a well-maintained lawn increases the value of a home suggests that it reflects an overall well-maintained home. In other words, the care given to the lawn reflects the care the homeowner gives to everything else in the house. The lawn itself may not be the object of desire. American Green contains some entertaining anecdotes, but should be considered more of a light read than an authoritative work of nonfiction. This book can be enjoyed by environmentalists who want to learn more about the impact of lawns on the environment or by someone who is truly obsessed with their lawn and wants to learn about other people who share this obsession . Steinberg's goals may have been noble, to demonstrate a national obsession, but his arguments and assumptions have produced a book that cannot be taken seriously..