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50 Plants that Changed the World
Plants are an indispensable part of our everyday lives. From the coffee bean that gets roasted for our morning brew to the grasses that feed the animals we eat to the rubber tree that provides the raw materials used in the tires of our cars, we depend on plants for nearly every aspect of our lives.
With What Have Plants Ever Done for Us?, Stephen Harris takes readers step by chronological step through the role of plants in the rise of the Western world, with sojourns through the history of trade, travel, politics, chemistry, and medicine. Plants are our most important food source. Some, such as barley, have been staples since the earliest times. Others, like the oil palm, are relative newcomers to the Western world. Over time, the ways we use some plants has also dramatically Beets, a familiar sight on the dinner plate, were once thought to be an effective treatment for leprosy and now show significant promise as a sustainable biofuel. What, one wonders, might the future thus hold for the mandrake or woad? Plants have also held potent cures to some of our most prevalent diseases. An extract from the bark of the yew tree, for instance, is commonly used in the treatment of cancer.
Wide-ranging and thoroughly engaging, What Have Plants Ever Done for Us? will help readers cultivate a deeper appreciation for our branched and rooted friends who ask little in return for their vast contributions save for a little care and water.
With What Have Plants Ever Done for Us?, Stephen Harris takes readers step by chronological step through the role of plants in the rise of the Western world, with sojourns through the history of trade, travel, politics, chemistry, and medicine. Plants are our most important food source. Some, such as barley, have been staples since the earliest times. Others, like the oil palm, are relative newcomers to the Western world. Over time, the ways we use some plants has also dramatically Beets, a familiar sight on the dinner plate, were once thought to be an effective treatment for leprosy and now show significant promise as a sustainable biofuel. What, one wonders, might the future thus hold for the mandrake or woad? Plants have also held potent cures to some of our most prevalent diseases. An extract from the bark of the yew tree, for instance, is commonly used in the treatment of cancer.
Wide-ranging and thoroughly engaging, What Have Plants Ever Done for Us? will help readers cultivate a deeper appreciation for our branched and rooted friends who ask little in return for their vast contributions save for a little care and water.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published November 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 23, 2019
This is an intriguing book - one which I have seen a number of references to but have only now finally got round to reading.
The book is essentially another book of lists - this time plants which have had significant historical relevance at some point even if now they have fallen from favour or been transferred been transferred to pop culture and superstition such as Mandrake.
The book is filled with all sorts of fascinating stories and descriptions - some of which you do not necessarily spot or think are as important as the author makes out - after all we have everything here from the founding fathers of modern medicine, the driving force behind modern commerce, to the specimen which helped forward modern genetic research.
My only criticism is that some of the entries loose their focus - now I am sure the author (after all look who published the book) are true experts in their field but like all popular science books they have to be accessible to the mere mortal as well - like me.
The book to me is a spring board in to further studies and exploration - I guess the problem with all books of this kind (and many other science tasters) is that there is only a finite number of pages - and the challenge is to decide where to stop. This book is perfect for dipping in and out of, it has a very comprehensive bibliography for further reading and covers a wealth of topics.
So although it would be a challenge to read it all in one its surprising how often I found myself going back to it to read a few more entries.
The book is essentially another book of lists - this time plants which have had significant historical relevance at some point even if now they have fallen from favour or been transferred been transferred to pop culture and superstition such as Mandrake.
The book is filled with all sorts of fascinating stories and descriptions - some of which you do not necessarily spot or think are as important as the author makes out - after all we have everything here from the founding fathers of modern medicine, the driving force behind modern commerce, to the specimen which helped forward modern genetic research.
My only criticism is that some of the entries loose their focus - now I am sure the author (after all look who published the book) are true experts in their field but like all popular science books they have to be accessible to the mere mortal as well - like me.
The book to me is a spring board in to further studies and exploration - I guess the problem with all books of this kind (and many other science tasters) is that there is only a finite number of pages - and the challenge is to decide where to stop. This book is perfect for dipping in and out of, it has a very comprehensive bibliography for further reading and covers a wealth of topics.
So although it would be a challenge to read it all in one its surprising how often I found myself going back to it to read a few more entries.
March 22, 2022
¿Somos nosotros los que hemos domesticado a las plantas? ¿O son ellas las que nos han domesticado a nosotros? Es una relación tan antigua y estrecha que convierte estas preguntas en una falsa disyuntiva. Quizá el mérito del recuento histórico de Harris es hacer sentir al lector la imposibilidad de la existencia humana sin la generosidad silenciosa de las plantas
May 2, 2022
Un libro encantador. Las ilustraciones en plumilla son un deleite para la vista, las explicaciones son consisas y adecuadas para un no experto. La reseña histórica de la importancia de cada planta es entretenida y didáctica. Un libro ligero y entretenido para disfrutar entre lecturas o como una agradable lectura antes de dormir.
April 6, 2023
Stephen Harris nos trae un libro que nos habla sobre cincuenta de las plantas que han dejado huella en la historia de la humanidad. En esta edición que además está acompañada por unos dibujos muy lindos nos encontramos con plantas que damos por sentadas en nuestra cotidianidad pero que tienen realmente mucha historia, como la papa que tuvo un papel importante en la hambruna que se vivió en Irlanda, el arroz, el té, o el caucho y el banano a los que se han asociado grandes masacres y desplazamientos, así que con plantas más conocidas y otras que seguramente te serán presentadas, este es un libro para leer poco a poco, con un lenguaje claro y con datos históricos bien interesantes.
July 3, 2017
This short book gives each plant four pages, enough to mention some of its uses (mostly food plants), introduction to the West (especially Britain) and current concerns or issues. Thus, it is a mile wide and an inch deep. Comparing it to Pollan's brilliant Botany of Desire is certainly unfair, but it is fair to regret the complete lack of any unifying theme. Although I relished the chapter (4 pages) on nutmeg and a few others, I probably would have gotten more out of spending my time reading the entries in Wikipedia or a more focused history, such as the Columbian Exchange
July 15, 2024
Tenía todo el potencial para ser un gran libro pero tiene errores y omisiones que dificultan innecesariamente la lectura y su comprensión.
En algunas plantas, por ejemplo, no hace la distinción correcta entre género y especie y no sé si es peor que el error venga del traductor o del mismo autor. Parte también del supuesto de que los lectores son especializados y manejan términos, conceptos y procesos botánicos, así que los menciona y no los explica.
En algunas plantas, por ejemplo, no hace la distinción correcta entre género y especie y no sé si es peor que el error venga del traductor o del mismo autor. Parte también del supuesto de que los lectores son especializados y manejan términos, conceptos y procesos botánicos, así que los menciona y no los explica.
April 17, 2022
Cincuenta plantas importantes en el desarrollo de la humanidad, seguramente no son las únicas. Más allá de esta descripción de botánica, evolución y domesticación de especies se plantean preguntas interesantes respecto a los retos de conservación, necesidades de la humanidad, seguridad alimentaria y una visión del planeta por occidente y por oriente. Se aprende bastante con este libro.
August 6, 2023
An enjoyable night time read, each plant got a page or two or three and little drawing. The plants history was detailed and its uses. Perhaps boring from the outside, but some lesser thought of plants many people don't care about the history. I do. I want to know that wars were fought over plants.
July 5, 2017
Not enough illustrations and too many things haphazardly mentioned without explanation. Keep Wikipedia and Google ready while reading!
April 10, 2022
Un recorrido súper agradable por la historia de 50 plantas y su relación con nuestra civilización (y lo que eso implica).
August 24, 2022
Sometimes felt as though the chapters were too short and was curious as to how the plants were chosen.
Author was also somewhat snotty.
Author was also somewhat snotty.
June 11, 2026
Great book interesting to read about the history of different plants.
December 27, 2025
Very good introduction to our modern world from a different perspective, most books talk about Leaders, Inventions, wars and so on, but plants are what make our world possible.
The author obviously has a Eurocentric worldview, which is fine as most of his audience is likely to be as well. He does present connections between colonialism, the quest for profit and the various stars in his book, and how they have changed the world, from Rice, Potato, Maize to Coffee and Pineapple.
Requires low effort just bring your curiosity. Great for all ages, especially mind expanding for young readers, evoking gratitude from older readers.
I cannot think of any that he may have left out, from plants that are edible by humans to plants that allowed our companion animals to thrive.
The lovely drawings are a bonus, a nod to the thousands who have contributed in meticulously cataloging, collecting and improving our knowledge of our cohabitants on our only home.
Hope it finds a spot on your shelves as a daily reminder, prayer and thanksgiving, and make you a conscious consumer of the bounty provided to us at this point in time.
The author obviously has a Eurocentric worldview, which is fine as most of his audience is likely to be as well. He does present connections between colonialism, the quest for profit and the various stars in his book, and how they have changed the world, from Rice, Potato, Maize to Coffee and Pineapple.
Requires low effort just bring your curiosity. Great for all ages, especially mind expanding for young readers, evoking gratitude from older readers.
I cannot think of any that he may have left out, from plants that are edible by humans to plants that allowed our companion animals to thrive.
The lovely drawings are a bonus, a nod to the thousands who have contributed in meticulously cataloging, collecting and improving our knowledge of our cohabitants on our only home.
Hope it finds a spot on your shelves as a daily reminder, prayer and thanksgiving, and make you a conscious consumer of the bounty provided to us at this point in time.
May 6, 2025
Me gustó mucho.
“Las personas son guardianas del conocimiento sobre las plantas. Sin embargo, cuando los vínculos entre generaciones se pierden, también puede perderse este conocimiento"
Harris, Stephen
“Las personas son guardianas del conocimiento sobre las plantas. Sin embargo, cuando los vínculos entre generaciones se pierden, también puede perderse este conocimiento"
Harris, Stephen
July 31, 2025
This is a very interesting read, however it is a little light. The author identifies the plants, but doesn't give a lot of information or explanation. I was somewhat disappointed, looking for more information on why these plants are so important.
April 7, 2026
This was ok. It should have been "25 Plants that Changed the World" instead of the 50. That way it would have contained more information on the plants. Some had so much history to them, that a few pages wasn't nearly enough to scratch the surface.
April 9, 2026
Great reference book rather than a sit down cover to cover read. Full of amazing facts and historic detail. Really made you appreciate that none of the plants we take for granted for food etc originate in this country!
Read
August 15, 2016509 H3164 2015
April 20, 2023
This was phenomenally interesting and wonderfully expansive. So much history, literature, and deep knowledge linked to the natural world.
April 7, 2025
Reviewed for Library Journal. Note that my Goodreads score has nothing to do with my professional review.
November 9, 2025
It’s…. Fine. Very dry and not that excitingly presented though, sorry to say.
December 15, 2025
Plants. Plants. Plants
February 28, 2026
Informative but used limited source material and a particularly western perspective. Not as comprehensive as I was anticipating.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews