Fifty Plants That Changed the Course of History (Fifty Things That Changed the Course of History) - Tapa blanda

[Review of hardcover edition: ] Beautifully illustrated with botanical drawings, paintings, and photos, this fascinating reference offers insights into both botany and social history.--Liz Grogan"Good Times" (06/30/2011)

[Review of hardcover edition: ] The illustrations are from other works, but, honestly, I hardly looked at them because the prose packed such a wallop.--Linda Yang"North American Rock Garden Society (www.nargs.org)" (01/31/2012)

[Review of hardcover edition: ] A fascinating compendium that covers edible medicinal commercial and practical species.--K. Reka Badger"Santa-Barbara News Press" (03/26/2011)

[Review of hardcover edition: ] Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History, by Bill Laws, presents interesting information and impressions about plants.--Joel Lerner"Washington Post" (03/04/2011)

[Review of hardcover edition: ] This book will mesmerize plant-lovers and non-gardeners alike.--American Gardener (07/01/2011)

[Review of hardcover edition: ] (reviewed with Fifty Animals that Changed the Course of History) These two volumes from Firefly uncover some of the most interesting stories of how animals and plants have impacted human civilization in economic, political, and industrial history. This is an original approach that links the biological sciences to the social sciences and students and general readers will find many interesting stories within these pages.-- (04/01/2012)

[Review of hardcover edition: ] This attractive and fun natural history of plants showcases fifty species that have influenced human history in significant ways. Each entry features color illustrations and photographs, interesting fact sidebars and information about distribution and growing conditions. Narratives detail the importance of each plant and range from ancient remedies and poisons to crop plants that formed trade and economic networks around the globe to bases for modern technological advances. The volume is designed for easy reference and includes information on further readings and Internet resources.-- (12/01/2011)

[Review of hardcover edition: ] How wonderful are plants! That is the theme of this compilation of stories of the usefulness of 50 remarkable plants. Attractively illustrated, the text contains short essays on plants that provide sustenance, medicine, fragrance, spice, color, clothing, and much more. Lest we forget, the common sweet pea provided the means for establishing the scientific field of genetics. This marvelous collection of tales deserves to be read and enjoyed.-- (06/30/2011)

[Review of hardcover edition: ] Much more than a "plant book," this is a beauty packed with historical detail and art that will feed your eyes, your mind and your spirit as you learn about plants in a way you've never experienced. Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History is by Bill Laws, who intends the book to be an encyclopedia of "plants that have had the greatest impact on human civilization," according to the book jacket. But he has made his encyclopedia so much more. It's chock-full of life, art, typography, history and botany, and I've never been more pleasantly surprised with a "plant book" than this one.... Beautiful art reproductions, classy typography and eye-catching design work together to present a gathering of the history behind these 50 plants that will keep you coming back for a good look (and read) over and over.-- (04/16/2011)

[Review of hardcover edition: ] Covering economic, political and industrial history, Bill shows how the plants' uses have changed over time. Recognizing both common as well as those plants whose roles are less well known, Bill provides an innovative perspective on both botanical and human history. Gardeners and social historians will find this book fascinating to read.-- (09/30/2012)

"This book will mesmerize plant-lovers and non-gardeners alike."
--American Gardener

"This marvelous collection of tales deserves to be read and enjoyed."
--Chicago Botanic Garden

Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History is a beautifully presented guide to the plants that have had the greatest impact on human civilization. Entries feature a description of the plant, its botanical name, its native range and its primary functions--edible, medicinal, commercial or practical. Concise text is highlighted by elegant botanical drawings, paintings and photographs as well as insightful quotes.

Many of the plants are well known, such as rice, tea, cotton, rubber, wheat, sugarcane, tobacco, wine grapes and corn. However, there are also many whose stories are less known. These history-changing plants include:

• Agave, used to make sisal, poison arrows, bullets, tequila and surgical thread
• Pineapple, which influenced the construction of greenhouses
• Hemp, used for hangman's rope, sustainable plastics, the Declaration of Independence and Levi's jeans
• Coconut, used for coir fiber, soap, margarine, cream, sterile IV drips and coagulants
• Eucalyptus, used in mouthwash, diuretics, vitamins, honey, underwear and fire-resistant uniforms
• Sweet pea, which Gregor Mendel used in his research on genetics
• White mulberry, used to feed the caterpillars that make silk
• English oak, used for fire-resistant structures, dyes, leather tanning, charcoal, casks and ships
• White willow, used in the manufacture of aspirin, cricket bats, hot-air balloon baskets and coffins.

This attractive reference provides an innovative perspective on both botanical and human history.