An Orchard Invisible: A Natural History of Seeds
Jonathan Silvertown
An Orchard Invisible: A Natural History of Seeds
The story of seeds, in a nutshell, is a tale of evolution. From the tiny sesame that we sprinkle on our bagels to the forty-five-pound double coconut borne by the coco-de-mer tree, seeds are a perpetual reminder of the complexity and diversity of life on earth. With "An Orchard Invisible", Jonathan Silvertown presents the oft-ignored seed with the natural history it deserves, one nearly as varied and surprising as the Earth's flora itself. Beginning with the evolution of the first seed plant from fernlike ancestors more than 360 million years ago, Silvertown carries his tale through epochs and around the globe.
4.5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews
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Omniscore:
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| Classification |
Non-fiction |
| Genre |
Science & Nature, Home & Garden |
| Format |
Hardback |
| Pages |
224 |
| RRP |
£17.50 |
| Date of Publication |
June 2009 |
| ISBN |
978-0226757735 |
| Publisher |
Chicago University Press |
| |
The story of seeds, in a nutshell, is a tale of evolution. From the tiny sesame that we sprinkle on our bagels to the forty-five-pound double coconut borne by the coco-de-mer tree, seeds are a perpetual reminder of the complexity and diversity of life on earth. With "An Orchard Invisible", Jonathan Silvertown presents the oft-ignored seed with the natural history it deserves, one nearly as varied and surprising as the Earth's flora itself. Beginning with the evolution of the first seed plant from fernlike ancestors more than 360 million years ago, Silvertown carries his tale through epochs and around the globe.
Reviews
The Times Higher Education
Jules Pretty
“Fabulous... In this book, Silvertown has produced a gem. "Convince me that you have a seed there," said naturalist Henry David Thoreau, "and I am prepared to express wonders." Read this book as a gardener, scientist, food aficionado, historian, botanist or naturalist, and you'll not be disappointed.”
14/05/2009
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The Financial Times
Harry Eyres
“An Orchard Invisible contains some dense scientific argument but Silvertown, who is fascinated by the evolutionary strategies of seeds, nevertheless succeeds in making his enthusiasm infectious enough to attract the general reader.”
13/06/2009
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