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American Household Botany: A History of Useful Plants, 1620-1900
In this fascinating book, a celebrated author rescues from the pages of history the practical experience and botanical wisdom of generations of Americans.
This book is only available through print on demand. All interior art is black and white.
This book is only available through print on demand. All interior art is black and white.
- GenresGardening
396 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 1, 2024
Wonderful book written by the only scientist I ever received an A from. She is knowledgeable, fascinating and a great story teller full of passion for the subject.
December 27, 2020
Distinguished among nonfiction books.
The distinguishing features of this book are the depth and breadth of the information, flavored with anecdotes and citations from popular period texts by well-known authors. It's not a narrative, which will turn off those looking for a breezy read. This book is dense.
But I've had a recent complaint that too many nonfiction books shoehorn a narrative structure into topics that don't benefit from it. Like the book Buzz that I read recently, which sets facts about bees along an uncompelling set of anecdotes wherein the the PhD author sets himself up as an ignoramus being guided along his study by a quirky set of mentors. This book is a relief from that grating trope; the author is extremely knowledgeable, circumspect, and respectful of the reader's intentions and intelligence. She's not cowed to use terms like "parenchymal cells," "apical meristem," and other specific terms without oversimplified analogies or digressions to bring beginners up to speed. Presumably a reader of this kind of book can find information that they lack without extra hand-holding.
She also resists the temptations to what some have taken to calling "just-so" explanations for biological traits. Especially with regards to evolution, too many authors have taken to stating that certain traits evolved for specific reasons that sound reasonable, but don't really have evidence to support the claims being made beyond the fact that they sound good. For example, in hunting circles some claim that deer see more UV light so that they can be more nocturnal and avoid their predators. But is that really WHY deer see more UV light? Lots of other species with the same predators have different coping mechanisms, after all. We don't really know that predator pressure caused this adaptation, it's just one idea.
The author more accurately explains the interesting facets of plants according to current "interpretations" of their significance. For example, in the previous example, she would argue that the deer's unique visible spectrum is interpreted as a predator-avoidance mechanism. This kind of subtle accuracy constantly reassured me that I was in the hands of a true expert who was not in the business of simplifying complex subjects for breezy reading.
This book will not be for everyone. It's not a general interest book. It assumes that you already have a basic understanding of botany and a moderately-developed interest in the chauvinism and practicality that led settlers to reject, adapt, or accept the native flora.
I got this from the library but might purchase a copy for reference.
The distinguishing features of this book are the depth and breadth of the information, flavored with anecdotes and citations from popular period texts by well-known authors. It's not a narrative, which will turn off those looking for a breezy read. This book is dense.
But I've had a recent complaint that too many nonfiction books shoehorn a narrative structure into topics that don't benefit from it. Like the book Buzz that I read recently, which sets facts about bees along an uncompelling set of anecdotes wherein the the PhD author sets himself up as an ignoramus being guided along his study by a quirky set of mentors. This book is a relief from that grating trope; the author is extremely knowledgeable, circumspect, and respectful of the reader's intentions and intelligence. She's not cowed to use terms like "parenchymal cells," "apical meristem," and other specific terms without oversimplified analogies or digressions to bring beginners up to speed. Presumably a reader of this kind of book can find information that they lack without extra hand-holding.
She also resists the temptations to what some have taken to calling "just-so" explanations for biological traits. Especially with regards to evolution, too many authors have taken to stating that certain traits evolved for specific reasons that sound reasonable, but don't really have evidence to support the claims being made beyond the fact that they sound good. For example, in hunting circles some claim that deer see more UV light so that they can be more nocturnal and avoid their predators. But is that really WHY deer see more UV light? Lots of other species with the same predators have different coping mechanisms, after all. We don't really know that predator pressure caused this adaptation, it's just one idea.
The author more accurately explains the interesting facets of plants according to current "interpretations" of their significance. For example, in the previous example, she would argue that the deer's unique visible spectrum is interpreted as a predator-avoidance mechanism. This kind of subtle accuracy constantly reassured me that I was in the hands of a true expert who was not in the business of simplifying complex subjects for breezy reading.
This book will not be for everyone. It's not a general interest book. It assumes that you already have a basic understanding of botany and a moderately-developed interest in the chauvinism and practicality that led settlers to reject, adapt, or accept the native flora.
I got this from the library but might purchase a copy for reference.
March 12, 2008
With a love of cooking and gardening as well as a background in the medical field this book satisfied me on many levels. Have read it through twice and keep it handy as a reference. The books gives botanical and sociological histories of common garden plants in the US, how they got here, who brought them, what they were used for and etc. The books also discusses early methods of preservation (vitually unchanged today) as well as winemaking and the distillation of spirits and medicinal compounds. This book has made me respect even more the more humble native plants around me that others may dismss as common, boring or worse, weeds. Read it and appreciate the local flora!
June 29, 2009
A wealth of information! Great for Botany study. This one is super and I think it will have to be a purchase for High School for Violet :)
September 2, 2009
Had to return to the library before I could finish it. I love books with stories about the culture behind plants and food
March 2, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It has given me many ideas concerning the botany courses I teach!
April 8, 2017
Engrossing and detailed - even a non expert will enjoy and find this of value.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews