When I heard that Kew's
'Plant Messiah', Carlos Magdalena, had just brought out his first
book I was intrigued. Carlos is a 'Botanical Horticulturist' at
Kew, known best for his work bringing critically endangered plants
back from the edge of extinction, and his nickname of 'The Plant
Messiah' was bestowed on him by none other than legendary naturalist
Sir David Attenborough, so a book seemed quite promising...
I've read many things
written by people involved heavily in conservation and materials tend
to fall into two camps; 'the world is going to die and this is why
it's your fault' or 'this is a tree, and trees make the lovely air'.
With what I would say is a tolerable understanding of the troubles
facing our planet in times to come, and how plants contribute to our
world, I really didn't want to read yet another book along these
lines.
I was more than a
little surprised by this book; part autobiography, part account of
real work carried out by the author, this is what the world of plant
conservation has needed for some time- a good natured insight into
the world of plant conservation that is gripping and thought
provoking.
Magdalena's style of
writing and his interesting stories of his work in far flung places
(as well as 'back at base' behind the scenes at Kew) makes this book
a bit of a page turner. Personally I devoured it over the course of
two days, and it's currently on loan to a friend who is finding it
similarly gripping. The language is straightforward; there's no
attempt to force in technical language to make the author look
clever, but neither is there an assumption that the reader can't
understand technical detail if explained coherently. In fact, the
book starts with a brief glossary so all readers get the opportunity
to brush up on a few terms before starting the book if they so wish!
This is one of the very
few books I own that has moved me to review it; whatever your level
of technical expertise this book is fascinating and will renew your
interest in safeguarding plant species for the future.
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