Botanical Riches: Stories of Botanical Exploration

'This is a book to treasure. Lavishly illustrated, lovingly written, globally inclusive...' (Choice). Hailed on publication as essential reading for anyone interested in plants and gardens, Botanical Riches is now available for the first time in a beautifully produced paperback edition. The botanical riches of this book are twofold. This is firstly a book about plants themselves, and the story of their exploration, appreciation, introduction and exploitation through the ages. But it is equally about the collective library of books that document this botanical exploration and appreciation of plants, and the history and craft of botanical illustration. Richard Aitken brings his wide expertise in garden history to this highly illustrated book. He traces man's gradual realisation of the potential of plants for medicinal, nutritional, flavouring and decorative purposes from the ancient and classical worlds, through to the Renaissance and the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, to today. Entire mercantile societies revolved around the trade in spices, oils and fruit and vegetables, making those in possession of such natural resources extremely wealthy. Botanical Riches is magnificently illustrated with some of the world's most glorious engraved, lithographed and hand-coloured botanical illustrations. From the earliest Renaissance herbals to elaborate and beautiful volumes from the golden age of printing, books celebrating plants from far-off lands brought with them a sense of wonder. Botanical Riches relies on the fusion of nature and culture, art, history and botanical observation. Its apt and generous illustrations complement a lively and gripping tale.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Introduction; Part 1 Plants of the Ancient and Classical Worlds: Timeless traditions; The fertile crescent; Ancient Egypt; Ancient India; Mesamerican and Andean civilisation; Mediterranean civilisations; The Silk Road to Cathay and beyond; The rise of Islam; The Renaissance. Part 2 The Great Age of Maritime Exploration: Empire building in the golden age; The new world; Imperial tales of the Near East; Exploring the Far East; European colonisation of the Americas; The Cape unveiled; Taking stock. Part 3 Scientific Imperialism and exotic botany: The reach of empire; New Holland and the South Pacific; Erica-mania; Anglo-India and the Dutch East Indies; North America's Western frontier; Central and South America; Piercing the oriental armour; Commerce and the insatiable taste for novelty. Part 4 Conservation and Renewal: Wollemi dreaming; Notes on the text; Bibliography; Notes on the Illustrations; Index.

About the Author :
Richard Aitken is a writer, architect, curator and historian who has edited the Oxford Companion to Australian Gardens. A founder member of the Australian Garden History Society, He has written and lectured on garden history. He has also prepared conservation plans for gardens in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

Review :
A Choice Outstanding Academic Title for 2007 'This is a book to treasure. Lavishly illustrated, lovingly written, globally inclusive...Readers will find some wonderfully compelling cultural-botanical juxtapositions... Representations of plant forms are stunningly presented ... Maps, garden flowers, floras, and portraits of botanists round out the visual feast, all of it accompanied by readable, informative text. Essential. All levels.' -Choice 'A lush treat at an encouragingly modest price.' Historic Gardens Review ' ... an engaging and thoughtful treatment of many important works in the botanical art canon ... the real stength here lies in [Aitken's] remarkable aptitude for synthesis and narrative fluidity ... [his] text admirably leads the reader effortlessly through time and locales ... Richard Aitken deserves much praise for his poise and evenhandedness ...'. Huntia 2007 'A series of wonderful colour illustrations bound into a beautifully designed and produced volume at an exceptionally reasonable price, make this book a must have for anyone interested in plants and gardens.' Art News Letter