Head-to-head

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants vs Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide

Compare Milkweed Editions' Braiding Sweetgrass and Ten Speed Press' Ethical Slut for ethics, value, and everyday use. Discover which sustainable book suits you.

Milkweed Editions

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants

89/100 ethics

$$ · 1 certifications

View Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants →

Ten Speed Press

Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide

88/100 ethics

$$ · 2 certifications

View Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide →

Ethics breakdown

Dimension	Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants	Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide	Δ
Sourcing	90	85	+5
Labor	95	82	+13
Environment	92	80	+12
Animal welfare	100	95	+5
Transparency	95	90	+5
Overall ethics	89	88	1

Why it wins

Both books hold nearly identical ethics scores (89 vs 88) and price, with complementary certifications. Braiding Sweetgrass excels in indigenous and ecological ethics, while Ethical Slut adds Rainforest Alliance certification, making them equally commendable for an ethical shopping site.

Overview

Both titles are celebrated works in their fields, published by environmentally conscious presses. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer (Milkweed Editions) merges indigenous wisdom with botany and ecology, offering a lyrical meditation on reciprocity with nature. Ethical Slut by Janet Hardy and Dossie Easton (Ten Speed Press) is a classic guide to ethical non-monogamy, communication, and consensual relationships. Both are available in paperback editions at similar price points ($$).

Ethics diff

The ethical scores are nearly identical: Braiding Sweetgrass earns 89/100, Ethical Slut 88/100. Both carry FSC Certified paper, ensuring responsible forestry. Ethical Slut adds Rainforest Alliance certification, reflecting additional commitment to biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods. However, Braiding Sweetgrass’s content elevates indigenous perspectives and ecological justice, which some may view as a higher ethical impact in terms of cultural and environmental education. The difference is marginal but meaningful for specific priorities.

Everyday use

Braiding Sweetgrass is ideal for readers seeking inspiration for outdoor practices, gardening, or deeper connection with land and indigenous knowledge. It fosters reflection and gratitude, suitable for slow reading or as a gift for nature lovers. Ethical Slut is a practical, relationship-focused resource for those exploring polyamory, open relationships, or improving communication skills. It includes exercises and real-life examples, making it a functional guide for personal growth. Choose based on whether your daily life centers on nature or human relationships.

Value

Both offer high value for their price, with lasting relevance. Braiding Sweetgrass has become a modern classic, widely referenced in environmental studies. Ethical Slut has been revised multiple times, remaining a cornerstone in relationship literature. Given similar price and certifications, you get exceptional content per dollar for either. The slight edge in certifications (Rainforest Alliance for Ethical Slut) adds a bit more eco-assurance, but Braiding Sweetgrass’s cultural value is intangible.

Bottom line

If you prioritize ecological wisdom and indigenous storytelling, choose Braiding Sweetgrass. If you need a practical guide for consensual, non-monogamous relationships, choose Ethical Slut. For sheer ethical certifications, Ethical Slut wins by a hair, but Braiding Sweetgrass’s content-driven ethics are profound. This is a tie for overall ethical shopping, as both are excellent, sustainable choices.