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Botanical
サボテンの文化誌
愛され 恐れられ
摩訶不思議な植物の物語
痛い棘と美しい花、恐ろしい形と極上の甘み…複雑で不思議なサボテンは大昔から人間を魅了してきた。その生態、食材としての価値、栽培法、コレクター達の秘話ほか、サボテンと人間の歴史を多面的に描く。カラー図版約120点。
【目次】
序章 愛されて 憎まれて
第1章 サボテンの博物誌
第2章 在来種のサボテン、外来種のサボテン
第3章 美しいサボテン、不快なサボテン
第4章 ほとんど人間――擬人化されたサボテン
第5章 サボテンを食べる
第6章 サボテンを変える
第7章 サボテンを守る
謝辞
訳者あとがき
写真ならびに図版への謝辞
参考文献
年表
注
【著者について】
ダン・トーレ(Dan Torre)
オーストラリアのロイヤルメルボルン工科大学メディアコミュニケーション学部上級講師。アニメーション、メディア、大衆文化などを幅広く研究する。サボテンの熱心な栽培家、コレクターでもある。著書に『食虫植物 Carnivorous Plants』、『アニメーション - プロセス、認知と現実性 Animation - process, cognition and actuality』ほかがある。
大山晶(おおやま・あきら)
1961年生まれ。大阪外国語大学外国語学部ロシア語科卒業。翻訳家。おもな訳書に「食」の図書館シリーズの『バナナの歴史』『ハチミツの歴史』『ウオッカの歴史』、『産業革命歴史図鑑――100の発明と技術革新』(以上、原書房)、『ナチスの戦争1918-1949』『ナチの妻たち――第三帝国のファーストレディー』(以上、中央公論新社)などがある。
摩訶不思議な植物の物語
痛い棘と美しい花、恐ろしい形と極上の甘み…複雑で不思議なサボテンは大昔から人間を魅了してきた。その生態、食材としての価値、栽培法、コレクター達の秘話ほか、サボテンと人間の歴史を多面的に描く。カラー図版約120点。
【目次】
序章 愛されて 憎まれて
第1章 サボテンの博物誌
第2章 在来種のサボテン、外来種のサボテン
第3章 美しいサボテン、不快なサボテン
第4章 ほとんど人間――擬人化されたサボテン
第5章 サボテンを食べる
第6章 サボテンを変える
第7章 サボテンを守る
謝辞
訳者あとがき
写真ならびに図版への謝辞
参考文献
年表
注
【著者について】
ダン・トーレ(Dan Torre)
オーストラリアのロイヤルメルボルン工科大学メディアコミュニケーション学部上級講師。アニメーション、メディア、大衆文化などを幅広く研究する。サボテンの熱心な栽培家、コレクターでもある。著書に『食虫植物 Carnivorous Plants』、『アニメーション - プロセス、認知と現実性 Animation - process, cognition and actuality』ほかがある。
大山晶(おおやま・あきら)
1961年生まれ。大阪外国語大学外国語学部ロシア語科卒業。翻訳家。おもな訳書に「食」の図書館シリーズの『バナナの歴史』『ハチミツの歴史』『ウオッカの歴史』、『産業革命歴史図鑑――100の発明と技術革新』(以上、原書房)、『ナチスの戦争1918-1949』『ナチの妻たち――第三帝国のファーストレディー』(以上、中央公論新社)などがある。
256 pages, Hardcover
Published August 13, 2021
2 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 19, 2017
Cacti are weird. In my mind, although I am fully, 100% aware that they are just another kind of plant, I have them categorized with stalagtites and icicles and other "nonliving things that grow". Dan Torre's book about cacti is only somewhat about the family of plants itself, and is more about how we humans think (and feel) about them.
There is a lot of artwork, much of it pre-20th century, in this book, as well as a number of early photographs. The cactus is a handy metaphor for lots of qualities (hard to approach, persistence in harsh environments), and there are a lot of artists who have decided to put them to use.
Torre's book is thus more about the sociological history of the cactus as a symbol and object of interest, and only to a lesser degree about the natural history of the plants themselves. Not that there is nothing in here for the amateur botanist, but if you come to the book expecting cactus and instead get cactus-as-symbol, you might be disappointed.
If you take it for what it is, though, Torre's book is well-written, abundantly illustrated, and an excellent nightstand read that will take you away from your own worries and stresses, and deliver you to a place of quiet contemplation. Cactus as comfy chair. It works better than you'd think.
There is a lot of artwork, much of it pre-20th century, in this book, as well as a number of early photographs. The cactus is a handy metaphor for lots of qualities (hard to approach, persistence in harsh environments), and there are a lot of artists who have decided to put them to use.
Torre's book is thus more about the sociological history of the cactus as a symbol and object of interest, and only to a lesser degree about the natural history of the plants themselves. Not that there is nothing in here for the amateur botanist, but if you come to the book expecting cactus and instead get cactus-as-symbol, you might be disappointed.
If you take it for what it is, though, Torre's book is well-written, abundantly illustrated, and an excellent nightstand read that will take you away from your own worries and stresses, and deliver you to a place of quiet contemplation. Cactus as comfy chair. It works better than you'd think.
January 22, 2025
This is just about the most comprehensive overview of the cacti species and their role in human societies. It is engaging and enthusiastic. I have an even greater appreciation for cacti, and I was already a big fan to begin with.
September 7, 2020
Purchase Cactus here for just $12!
Written by an RMIT professor, this is therefore a must for any local. Torre looks at how cacti have appeared in literature and art as he charts their journey through civilisations. Full of beautiful artwork, this would be an excellent coffee table book, sure to delight friends and guests.
Elisa - Book Grocer
Written by an RMIT professor, this is therefore a must for any local. Torre looks at how cacti have appeared in literature and art as he charts their journey through civilisations. Full of beautiful artwork, this would be an excellent coffee table book, sure to delight friends and guests.
Elisa - Book Grocer
July 24, 2024
Cactus is a reference book in the series of books called Botanicals. The whole series is great. I wish that I could purchase the set all at once, like we used to do in the past. Cacti, you either love them or hate them. I never met anyone who was indifferent to them. When I moved to Nevada I saw them for sale in the produce section of the store. I never bought one because I wouldn’t know how to prepare it or eat it.
November 27, 2021
I quite enjoyed reading about cacti (I was so surprised to find out that the dragon fruits were fruits of cactus... am I stupid for not knowing this?).
But after a while, I got bored.
Non-fiction books do that to me unless it's an audiobook.
But after a while, I got bored.
Non-fiction books do that to me unless it's an audiobook.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews