The Story of Flowers: And How They Changed the Way We Live

by Noel Kingsbury, Charlotte Day (Illustrator)

Throughout history flowers have been an integral part of human survival and culture – as food, for medicine, to express feelings, as symbols, to commemorate and celebrate, and to decorate. Their shapes, colors, scents and textures have always attracted us, as they do animals and insects. Flowers are used as luxury spices (saffron), and as coloring and flavoring agents – marigolds fed to chickens make eggs more yellow and lavender was Elizabeth I's favorite flavor of jam. Flowers are full of symbolic violets represent modesty, daises purity and daffodils unrequited love. And they have always played an important role in culture through myths and legends, literature and the decorative arts. This delightful new book brings together 100 of the world's flowers to tell their remarkable stories. Each flower is richly illustrated in color and accompanied by facts about each species and what role it has played in our culture and history.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Science, History, Gardening

216 pages, Hardcover

Published March 7, 2023

Reviews

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just plowed through this book. It was super amazing. The way this book was styled reminded me of botany and taxonomy books from the 17th and 19th Centuries.

If you are way into flowers and botany, this book is a winner.

[Luca Morandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molto molto interessante!
A parte le descrizioni di ogni fiore, dove mi sarebbe piaciuto di più qualche nota sulle potenzialità di utilizzo come piante medicamentose o velenose, mi ha stupito quante piante che noi diamo per "nostre" vengano in verità dalla parte opposta del pianeta.
Un libro interessante e curioso

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libro stupendo con disegni meravigliosi.
Descrive 100 fiori tipici dei climi freddi e temperati nell'emisfero boreale, quindi tanti si conoscono ed è bello acquisirne informazioni particolari o anche semplicemente il nome e la provenienza.

Dopo questa piacevole lettura spero di ricordarmi il significato di brattea=foglia modificata, che hai comuni mortali sembra un petalo di fiore (esempi: calla, stella di Natale, stella alpina, bouganville).

[Jayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting read and the illustrations were cute. This was really a book I picked up to pass the time. It’s pretty cool I would recommend if ur really into plants and their history (u can say).

[Alessia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ottimo come lettura serale: contiene molte curiosità, spunti per eventuali approfondimenti e meravigliose illustrazioni!
Lo ricomprerei e vorrei leggere ancora più cose curiose.

[Servabo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations :D

1) Foxglove
2)

[Minister Jane Trivigno · Rating 4 out of 5]

decent book going over famous species in f flowers and the history and science behind them