Carolyn Fry

Rating: 4.5* of five

The Publisher Says: Discover a vast treasure trove of botanical knowledge in The Botanist’s Library, a superbly illustrated collection of 300+ seminal books and illustrations from throughout history.

From the earliest manuscripts penned by visionary naturalists, to the modern tomes that continue to shape our understanding of the plant kingdom, this book is a testament to the tireless dedication of the world's greatest botanists. Its compelling narrative and visual show more journey make it a must-have addition to the library of anyone fascinated by the beauty and complexity of the plant kingdom.

This complete guide traces the development of botanical science through era-defining publications, covering:

Historia Plantarum, the first history of botany, written between c. 350 BC and c. 287 BC, in which Theophrastus described plants by their uses, and attempted a biological classification, based on how plants reproduced, to the authors of the herbals of the 16th century

Brunfels, Fuchs, Bock and Mattioli, who regarded plants as the vehicles of medicinal virtues

The golden age of the 18th- and 19th-century flower hunters, who travelled to every corner of the world in search of new and exotic plants

Today’s most significant works of botanical reference

Each chapter delves into the pages of a seminal work, unveiling the insights, controversies, and stories behind the books that have shaped our understanding of the plant world. Whether you are a seasoned botanist, a budding enthusiast, or simply someone with an insatiable curiosity about the natural world, The Botanist's Library offers a comprehensive reference that will enrich your understanding of botany and its evolution.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: Looking at beautiful books is only made more satisfying when they are books about books. Here we have a book about the reasons for, the history and contributions of, and the need to preserve, ancient books of botany. The topics of botany's history, its centrality to the development of science and the scientific method, and...surprisingly to me...the art of printing get a pretty thorough overview here. Centuries of work by many talented people including women (at a time when that was not normal) are laid before what I expect will be your admiring gaze.

These sample spreads will show you just how well the authors and the publishers understood what the assignment was:

Why did I, after saying only laudatory things, knock a half-star off this beautifully illustrated, well-written book's score? I have a quibble with a thorough book promised and a truncated one delivered. The subject is huge, this book shouldn't be called a "comprehensive reference." An entire physical library can be, and has been more than once, dedicated to even just the scientific edges of the topic. It's not possible to do a comprehensive anything on a subject of this age and magnitude.

That doesn't mean this utterly gorgeous object should not find its way to your coffee table for Yule. It should. I viewed it on my Galaxy tablet and it looked spectacular, so assuming you're not looking at it on an ereader, a digital version for yourself if you're gifting a hardcover to someone you love like sixty will give you value for dollar spent. show less

irst - this is a gorgeous book. Generously and fabulously illustrated, at least half the pages are eye candy.

Second - it's really well researched, although it does lack a citation / notes section at the end, an unfortunate oversight.

Also unfortunate is the writing. It's dry. So, so dry. Think academic history text dry. If I had to guess, I'd say it's a case of severe editing; trying to pack huge chunks of history into small 1-2 page sections. The result is a litany of names and dates show more guaranteed to make the most interested eyes droop.

Luckily, the illustrations go a long way towards perking up a reader's attention. show less

This book opened new horizons to me, and really made me to long for more details and information about the different journeys and travellers mentioned. It is history and geography - and botany I guess, from a new angle, and I imagine that this would be a very enjoyable way to introduce the subjects to kids.

The chapters are focusing on different subjects, from the spice "war" between Portugal and Spain, to the introduction of tulips or orchids in Europe or to the evolution of the garden. For show more example I learned that the cloves that Magellans expedition brought back to Europe paid for the entire trip, and some of the missions that botanists of today are facing.

Written with a fluency and heavily illustrated, my one complaint is that it is a bit thin, I want to read more about many subjects mentioned and have long lists of things to look up on internet. But, as an introduction book, excellent. show less

In a scrapbook style spanning the history of plant hunters, this book would make a great gift for the serious botanist or keen gardner. It includes insert pockets with fold out maps and diagrams, drawings and sketches. Great background detail in an enjoyable format, making it an easier read than a straightforward book format.