Planthropology: The Myths, Mysteries, and Miracles of My Garden Favorites |  | Author: Ken Druse
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
List Price: $50.00
Buy New: $29.76
as of 11/22/2009 11:48 CST details
You Save: $20.24 (40%)
New (26) Used (12) from $29.76
Seller: a1books
Rating:  6 reviews
Sales Rank: 92706
Media: Hardcover
Edition: First Edition
Pages: 288
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.2
Dimensions (in): 11.1 x 8.6 x 1.2
ISBN: 1400097835
Dewey Decimal Number: 635
EAN: 9781400097838
ASIN: 1400097835
Publication Date: November 4, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Ken Druse, one of today’s most acclaimed and popular garden writers, takes us on a ceaselessly fascinating stroll through the life of the garden, from the botanical marvels displayed by virtually any plant to the exploits of the plant explorers who once—and still do—race across the globe like Indiana Jones in search of rare and exotic specimens, to the need to conserve the threatened diversity of the natural world. Ripe with facts, punctured myths, serious investigation, and practical gardening wisdom, this is a gloriously illustrated and enlightening celebration of the plants that delight and sustain us. For Ken Druse, the garden provides both a refuge from the world and an irresistible invitation to explore the wonders of nature.
In planthropology, Druse celebrates the secret stories of plants and explains their im-portance within daily life, now and since ancient times. A pleasingly random and ever delightful garden stroll of a book, it uncovers scientific facts, dispels myths, exposes controversies, tells some rollicking good anecdotes, and, along the way, casually dispenses an abundance of practical gardening wisdom.
Using many of his own favorite plants as examples, Druse reveals little-known facts about both rare and common beauties. For instance, if you like winding down on a terrace or patio after work, Druse suggests planting petunias. Why? Because they are evening fragrant—their pollinators only come out at night. Perhaps you may not have noticed the beautiful spiraling patterns on sunflower heads; Druse explains that all plants feature such spirals, and that they correspond exactly to mathematical principles that have captivated great thinkers (and artists) throughout history.
With the authority and assurance of someone who demonstrates both deep passion and uncommon ex-pertise, Druse takes us chapter by chapter through the history, biology, economics, and cultural significance of plants. We meet bumblebees who literally shake pollen free from flowers with sonic vibrations. (Druse can’t recommend petting the fuzzy little apian teddy bears as they sleep in a sheltering blossom, but he has tried it!) Here too are the adventures of the plant explorers who sailed and trekked across the world in search of new and exotic specimens, and whose exploits were far more harrowing than you might imagine. Some plants even factored into the instigation of war. But Druse then gives us a handy primer on the language of flowers (a single gardenia says, “I love you in secret,” and acacia blossoms say, “Let us be friends”). He considers the influence of plants on the history of fine and decorative arts, the way we garden now with stalwart, low-maintenance plants, and the ever more critical need for conservation.
Planthropology is a wondrous ac-knowledgment, from one plant lover to his fellow devotees, of the limitless pleasure and deep wisdom to be found in the garden.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 6
Another Drusian Delight April 15, 2009
Ilene Sternberg (West Chester, PA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I always think Ken Druse can never top his last book, and then he does it every time. "Making More Plants" was superb; "Passion for Gardening" was exceptional; and "Planthropology" is downright ambrosial!
This is a book to savor and digest in small doses over a long period of time because it has so much to offer and digest: exciting plant history, practical growing tips; botany, plant hunting adventures, medicinal and other uses of the green kingdom, botanical symmetry, myths, cultural significance, astonishing facts, engaging anecdotes, and the wonders of science that permeate the natural world.
The author's writing style is casual, often humorous, and his sense of wonder is contageous. He has the ability to explain complex information in simple, entertaining prose. He is possibly America's finest garden writer.
And, as if that weren't enough, Druse is a masterful, artistic, sensitive photographer. If you don't find your mouth watering over his luscious photos, you may need to have your eyes and salivary glands inspected. "Planthropology," a fitting term Druse coined, is pure delight.
Planthropology February 22, 2009
mmqc
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I LOVE this book! The information is fascinating and well written and the photography is stunning. This book is a "must have".
Beauty in Pictures February 17, 2009
SSB (Zone 6 border zone 5)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
As a person extremely interested in the view as well as the information behind it, I can whole-heartedly give this book a 5 star rating. The pictures are scrumptuous and the narrative is as good, the icing on the cake. The author is thoughtful and thought-provoking. What better way to come out of the winter doldrums, than with this book as a must read.
Plants Are People, Too February 14, 2009
Guy L. Gonzalez (Bloomfield, NJ)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
If you ask Ken Druse what his favorite plant is, his answer will most likely be "whichever one I'm looking at. Every plant has an incredible story."
In Planthropology, Druse proves his point, engagingly bringing plants of all kinds to vivid life with entertaining and enlightening stories that will intrigue gardeners and non-gardeners alike. It's a visual feast that will make waiting for warmer weather to return more bearable, and it's not just inspirational reading for avid gardeners, but also an ideal gift for helping family and friends get a better appreciation for your own passion, perhaps even inspiring them to get outside and join you.
Planthropology, a smart buy January 13, 2009
Fred (Northern WI USA)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
I was listening to public radio and the author was being intreviewed, this sparked my intrest,I bought the book. It is illustrated and written fabulously. Very educational, a great referance book enjoyable for anyone who loves to garden, and know little snipits of myths and unfolding of mysteries of some garden favorites.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 6
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