Bill Laws is a social historian and the author of 10 books. He has contributed to such publications as the Guardian, the Daily Telegraph and BBC History magazine. He lives in England.
(reviewed with Fifty Animals that Changed the Course of History)
These two volumes from Firefly uncover some of the most interesting
stories of how animals and plants have impacted human civilization
in economic, political, and industrial history. This is an original
approach that links the biological sciences to the social sciences
and students and general readers will find many interesting stories
within these pages.-- (04/01/2012)
Bill Laws brings trivia buffs a treasure trove of quirky facts
about fifty plants that made a difference in the world. It matters
not whether you're a gardener or that you simply enjoy learning
obscure information -- this is a book for the curious sort.--
(04/20/2011)
Bill Laws provides a concise profile of each of the plants included
in his well-designed book. These informed entries are enhanced by
botanical drawings and other illustrations. The entries make for
entertaining reading. Even so, my favorite chapter feature was the
sidebar box. Inside these brief newsy boxes the reader gets a peek
outside the box of the normal. It's a peek at the wildcards that
have emerged from the shuffled deck of human experience with
plants.-- (03/02/2011)
Covering economic, political and industrial history, Bill shows how
the plants' uses have changed over time. Recognizing both common as
well as those plants whose roles are less well known, Bill provides
an innovative perspective on both botanical and human history.
Gardeners and social historians will find this book fascinating to
read.-- (09/30/2012)
Fifty Plants That Changed the Course of History by Bill Laws is a
perfect book for residents as well as visitors. Almost all the
plants grow in Hawaii, and the short historical articles are
beautifully illustrated with well-chosen color artwork. Coconut,
pineapple, sugarcane and coffee are among the plants pleasantly
presented. The built-in ribbon bookmark is a perfect touch for this
small hardback.-- (12/20/2011)
Fifty Plants That Changed the Course of History offers capsule
summaries of the culinary, medicinal, commercial, or practical
significance of 50 familiar plants. Some will be obvious (wheat,
wine grapes), but Laws manages to throw in some interesting and
little-known history about each. For example, the 17th-century
French Benedictine monk Dom Perignon, who helped develop still
wines in the region of Champagne, is sometimes credited with first
sealing a wine bottle with a stopper made from cork oak; and
pharmacist Wilbur Scoville devised a test for rating the heat of a
chili pepper in 1912.-- (10/01/2011)
How wonderful are plants! That is the theme of this compilation of
stories of the usefulness of 50 remarkable plants. Attractively
illustrated, the text contains short essays on plants that provide
sustenance, medicine, fragrance, spice, color, clothing, and much
more. Lest we forget, the common sweet pea provided the means for
establishing the scientific field of genetics. This marvelous
collection of tales deserves to be read and enjoyed.--
(06/30/2011)
If the origin of plants interests you, and learning more about the
history behind their uses, a new book by Bill Laws is well worth a
read. Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History provides
insight into the way plants used as fuel, food, weapons and
medicines have had an impact on civilizations.-- (04/01/2011)
It is a very useful guide to the basic fifty plants that humans had
cultivated from the beginning of agriculture. For each, there is a
description of the plant, the botanical name, its native range, and
its primary function... There is also a lot of cultural and social
history for each plant: Laws explains why it is in the Top Fifty
(many plants get two pages here; corn gets six pages). This text is
complemented by botanical drawings, paintings and photographs, and
quotes from deep thinkers... There's a bibliography for further
reading... Audience and level of use: the historically curious,
foodies, reference libraries, schools of hospitality and cooking...
Well-priced, and it comes with a ribbon bookmark.--
(03/17/2011)
Much more than a "plant book," this is a beauty packed with
historical detail and art that will feed your eyes, your mind and
your spirit as you learn about plants in a way you've never
experienced. Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History is by
Bill Laws, who intends the book to be an encyclopedia of "plants
that have had the greatest impact on human civilization," according
to the book jacket. But he has made his encyclopedia so much more.
It's chock-full of life, art, typography, history and botany, and
I've never been more pleasantly surprised with a "plant book" than
this one.... Beautiful art reproductions, classy typography and
eye-catching design work together to present a gathering of the
history behind these 50 plants that will keep you coming back for a
good look (and read) over and over.-- (04/16/2011)
This attractive and fun natural history of plants showcases fifty
species that have influenced human history in significant ways.
Each entry features color illustrations and photographs,
interesting fact sidebars and information about distribution and
growing conditions. Narratives detail the importance of each plant
and range from ancient remedies and poisons to crop plants that
formed trade and economic networks around the globe to bases for
modern technological advances. The volume is designed for easy
reference and includes information on further readings and Internet
resources.-- (12/01/2011)
This book will mesmerize plant-lovers and non-gardeners
alike.--American Gardener (07/01/2011)
This is a handsome book. A delight to look at and a pleasure to
hold. It is also a pleasure to read, not just because each page is
beautifully illustrated but also because of the unusual, unexpected
and fascinating histories it charts.... Each page is packed with
facts. The Latin names and common names of each plant, a brief
outline of its importance to us, the history of its uses and
misuses, and countless small details...all give the reader a lot to
absorb, but everything is presented in a humorous, easy-going way
laced with plenty of curious anecdotes.... Bill Laws weaves
together strands of ecological, political and agricultural history.
His scope is worldwide and it ranges from the words of early
herbalists to the discoveries of modern science. He draws
inspiration from myth and legend, and, occasionally from the early
philosophers. And the illustrations come from art, history, old
magazines and modern botanical photography. Altogether, Laws has
done a fine job.-- (04/01/2011)
This is a surprisingly easy, and good, read. The subject changes
faster than a kaleidoscope image within each chapter, and there are
insights into most of the large cultures of the globe.... It is a
useful read for adults, and it practically begs to be given to
one's acquaintances of the early or mid-teen years who could use a
look at the wider world. They will like it. With any luck, they
will go out looking for more information on the subject presented
in the brief, glittering flashes here. And, if you play your cards
right, they will let you read it, too, when they are done with
it.-- (10/01/2011)
We can't live without plants. They provide oxygen, food, clothes,
medicine and shelter. From great lists of all-important plants,
social historian Bill Laws brings us the fascinating stories of 50
that have actually altered civilizations. Among them: black pepper,
which led to a need for banking; sugar, which fueled the slave
trade; and white willow, used to make aspirin, cricket bats,
hot-air balloon baskets and coffins. You might want to pick up two
copies of this beautifully illustrated, fun read--one for the
gardener on your list and one for you.-- (12/16/2011)
A fascinating compendium that covers edible medicinal commercial
and practical species.--K. Reka Badger"Santa-Barbara News Press"
(03/26/2011)
Beautifully illustrated with botanical drawings, paintings, and
photos, this fascinating reference offers insights into both botany
and social history.--Liz Grogan"Good Times" (06/30/2011)
Fifty Plants that Changed the Course of History, by Bill Laws,
presents interesting information and impressions about
plants.--Joel Lerner"Washington Post" (03/04/2011)
The illustrations are from other works, but, honestly, I hardly
looked at them because the prose packed such a wallop.--Linda
Yang"North American Rock Garden Society (www.nargs.org)"
(01/31/2012)
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