Travel across the world and through history to meet the botanical pioneers who changed our landscape. Plant Hunters tells the story of our obsession with all things that grow--both for their beauty and their economic potential--and the creation of botanical gardens to cultivate them. This sumptuous, intriguing volume moves from East to West and back again, introducing the botanists, explorers, and empire builders who gathered plants such as the coconut tree, roses, and numerous fruits and vegetables to bring back home. Showcasing hundreds of breathtaking illustrations and historical documents, it examines the species we now take for granted and the plants that have enriched and impoverished nations.
Reviews
"Lavishly illustrated" New Scientist
Author description
Carolyn Fry is a journalist and author specializing in science, conservation and natural history. A former Editor of Geographical, the magazine of the Royal Geographical Society, she is a contributor to BBC Online (science and technology), New Scientist, BBC Wildlife, The Times, Independent on Sunday, theguardian.com (environment) and Kew Magazine. She is author of The World of Kew, the book that accompanied the 2007 BBC TV series A New Year at Kew. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Carolyn lives in London.
