These wonderful little "pedias" are both entrancing and informative, and Carol Gracie has done an exceptional job with this volume, writing with style and wry humour, making the prose flow at once precisely and delightfully.
Facts are presented in alphabetical fashion, in this case with "Achlorophyllous plants" as a first entry, and ending with "Zygomorphic". That's two fitting subjects for any botanist to bookend a work! One of the charming line drawings by Amy Jean Porter is above the text at the very beginning, delightfully illustrating the topic. This artwork continues throughout, adding a lovely dimension to the work. Line drawings done well illuminate a book beautifully, and Florapedia uses this artifice to great effect. One is quite convinced that the writer and the artist engaged in a dialogue, actual or telepathic, to produce an integrated presentation.
It always seems quite incredible to me how much information is compressed into one of the books in this series - volumes that will easily slip into your pocket or handbag. Yet one is never short changed, and even the most competent authority on any topic would concede that the coverage is excellent. The novice may gain a quite thorough understanding of a topic in relatively few words. A case in point is Saguaro (to name just one - I could direct you to numerous others). Many people, upon visiting the Sonoran Desert of Arizona marvel at the giant cacti, but other than admiration know little of them. In around 830 words you are equipped with "everything you need to know about a Saguaro!" Gracie has fun recounting an incident when a gun-toting destroyer of the giant cactus was killed when an unstable plant toppled onto the man, killing him. "Poetic justice," she says!
You probably have not made the acquaintance of Émile Gallé, essential knowledge before your next cocktail party, I am sure you will agree. And if you can initiate a discourse on John and William Bartram too, what an erudite man or woman you will be seen to be. Throw in a few bons mots about Marcgraviaceae and the world will be yours!
From the serious to the whimsical, from the scientific to the fanciful, this is a work to be thoroughly enjoyed, regardless of the level of your botanical expertise. And there is an excellent bibliography to direct you to further research.
You will not set this work down without the sense that you have just completed fine coverage of many topics - and you will want to pick it up again and again.
Florapedia - Princeton University Press
Author: Carol Gracie - Illustrator: Amy Jean Porter
Hardcover
Price: US$16.95, £9.99 - ISBN: 978091211404
Published: 6 April 2021
200 pages - 53 black-and-white illustrations
4.5 x 6.75 in., (11.25 x 16.875 cm)
Muy interesante este libro, siempre es bueno conocer y ver ilustraciones de las plantas ¡un gran trabajo esta Florapedia!
ReplyDeleteMuchos besos.
Another great book review, written with your usual humour and style. Line drawings, done well, are always a great addition to any book. I must confess I still use a book from the late 19th century to identify plants, and it's much too heavy for my pocket or handbag, so perhaps a new one would be a good investment! Have a great Sunday, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteThanks, Valerie. I try as best I can to give a little of the flavour of the book as well as the content. It's always good to enliven dry science with a little humour.
DeleteHello, David
ReplyDeleteYou have shared another great book and review.
Have a great day!
The flower on the cover looks real.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the book review, David. It sounds like a book for me!
ReplyDeleteIt does indeed, Marit.
DeleteEnjoyed reading your review David. And I feel that I would also enjoy reading the book.
ReplyDeleteYou may borrow it any time you wish, Carol.
DeleteThank you David!
DeleteAnother interesting review, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeauty, learning and fun - all in the one small volume. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteUn livre qui semble sympa, et si il y'a de jolies illustrations c'est un bon plus! Bonne soirée
ReplyDeleteQuerido David por lo que nos cuentas es un libro para llevarse a casa y disfrutar de su lectura e ilustraciones. Muchas gracias. Un abrazo y besos para ti y para Míriam.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds handy.
ReplyDeleteI figured out the first word, since the prefix 'a' means 'without,' and the next part of the word suggests chlorophyll. Lo and behold, the strange Indian pipes I found in east Texas are achlorophyllous. Who knew? I think this would be a very fun book!
ReplyDeleteWell done!
DeleteThis one sure sounds like a winner.
ReplyDeleteQue tal amigo! without a doubt, an exquisite book; flowers
ReplyDeleteinspire me and always remind me never to stop dreaming.
Have a nice week ahead! 💐🌻🌺🌻🌻🌺🌺
Muy interesante, gracias por la reseña te mando un beso
ReplyDeleteGreat book and good review. Success for your blog
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDeleteVery interesting!!!... happy week David
ReplyDeleteA handy and informative book to have in our possession. Great review. Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a nice book.
ReplyDeleteQue gran reseña nos muestras amigo David y que grandes personajes citas. No cabe duda que debe ser un fantástico libro, intentaré averiguar si está traducido.
ReplyDeleteMil gracias por depositar tu voto amigo mío, intentaremos dar batalla y si hace falta moriremos con las botas puestas, la rendición no cabe como buen ibero que me considero.
Un fuerte abrazo querido amigo y compadre David. Os deseo una buena semana.
...Florapedia, what an interesting tile. It has been over 50 years since I studied botany in college. I'm a bit rusty by now.
ReplyDeleteIt's an interesting comment, Tom. I still have the textbook I used when I took plant biology at Trent University many years ago, and I still refer to it now and then. I may have forgotten specifics but I seem always to know where to look.
DeleteYep, facts are fine, but it's stories that capture people's imaginations.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds quite interesting, I have a book list longer than I am tall but I'm always happy to add to it!
ReplyDeleteHi David - it looks to be a great book to read through ... botanical books contain so much interesting information. Love the thought about the man being killed by the cactus he was trying to eliminate ... a good thought for a sunny Thursday!! Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteOtro libro que me encantaría. Besos y abrazos.
ReplyDelete