In Pursuit of Plants: Experiences of Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Century Plant Collectors

by Philip Short

Illustrated with a selection of nineteenth century botanical art and modern photographs, In Pursuit of Plants will appeal to professional and amateur botanists, gardeners, and anyone interested in natural history and travel.

Genres: History, Biology, Nonfiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Philip Short is a British journalist and author specializing in biographies of historical dictators, he studied at Cambridge University, he worked as a journalist for the BBC for 25 years as a foreign correspondent(1972-97), a job that allowed him to travel widely and experience wildly different cultures, it would prove a great learning experience that still benefits him as an author.

After his work for the BBC, he taught journalism in the University of Iowa, in the US. He now resides in Provence, USA, with his wife and son.

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Verdict: A tad too methodical

Enticing jacket blurb: "In Surinam, plant hunter F.W. Hostmann allowed vampire bats to suck his toes; Thomas Drummond was attached by a bear in the North American woods; George Forrest narrowly escaped rampaging lamas in Western China; and, in Fiji, Berthold Seemann recorded which plants cannibals used as an accompaniment to human flesh."

Well, if that doesn't pull you in, what will? I must say, though, the book doesn't entirely live up to its promise. Arranged by continent, it features dozens of naturalists, all in basically the same format. First, there's a brief bio, and then a passage or two from their writings. Yes, there is plenty of excitement, but the format is a little deadening, with one naturalist followed by another, and another, and...

In short, this is a book best dipped into for brief excursions, and not read straight through. Perfect for a bedside table.

Sleep tight. Don't let the bats bite.