Flora (noun, Latin) 1. A treatise on or list of the plants of an area or period.Mirabilis (adjective, Latin) 1. wondrous, extraordinary.
National Geographic was a staple in our home as the girls grew up, with a subscription to the magazine an annual Christmas gift from their paternal grandmother. The Society's books have been welcomed into our home, eagerly read, and referred to often as school reports and term papers were written. Some still grace the shelves of our home library, while others went with the girls as they moved out on their own.
I'm fascinated by the history of plants, and have always loved botanical illustrations. Imagine the thrill being offered a free review copy of the new National Geographic/Missouri Botanic Garden collaborative book Flora Mirabilis - How Plants Have Shaped World Knowledge, Health, Wealth, and Beauty - An Illustrated Timeline; authored by Catherine Herbert Howell.
This is a gorgeous volume, printed on heavy stock and filled with over 200 rare botanical prints from the MOBOT collection. Examples can be seen in this gallery of top ten plants that shaped the world.
With a forward by the president of Missouri Botanic Garden and an introduction by the director of its library, the book contains a wealth of information on how plant explorations and botanical passions have shaped human history and culture. Flora Mirabilis would make a wonderful addition to your own library, or a thoughtful gift for any plant lover on your holiday list. It's available through booksellers everywhere.
I'm excited to offer a giveaway copy, complements of National Geographic. For an opportunity to win Flora Mirabilis, please leave a comment on this post. This drawing will be open to United States residents today through Saturday, November 7th at 9 p.m. Central Time. (One entry per person.) The winner's name will be drawn Saturday evening, and announced here on Sunday, November 8th.
After the announcement the winner can provide their mailing address to me via email. Flora Mirabilis will be sent directly from National Geographic. Good luck everyone, and remember to check back on Sunday!
After the announcement the winner can provide their mailing address to me via email. Flora Mirabilis will be sent directly from National Geographic. Good luck everyone, and remember to check back on Sunday!
Looks like a wonderful book, Linda. National Geographic has the most wonderful photography... not to mention the valuable information.
ReplyDeleteMeems @ Hoe and Shovel
Hi Linda, I got that email from the NGS, too, but didn't really understand what they meant me to do with it. (I thought it was some kind of spam at first and then didn't re-read. Glad you did!) Now I understand! My local library is going to be getting a copy, which I requested, but, sure, please enter me in the drawing. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fascinating book, Linda! I've enjoyed National Geographic since childhood; not many magazines have been around that long! Count me in for the drawing, and thanks for hosting this.
ReplyDeleteI love how much attention the history of plants is getting this year. This book looks wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book when I read about it...The top ten plants was a great list~~Several I can't imagine living without~~cocoa, coffee and potatoes! Do add me to the drawing. Gail
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a beautiful and interesting book. My elderly aunt gave me 3 grocery sacks full of her old plant books. Even when they're many years old they are still so interesting to look through.
ReplyDeleteI love this type of book! I'd love to win it so I can review it on my new book review site!
ReplyDeleteThanks for having this give-away of a great book. I think it looks like a very interesting read. I wished I had named one of my daughters Flora. I love that name.
ReplyDeleteRosey
Never met a book about plants that I didn't like!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in your drawing. Just scheduled a spring lecture at a historical society. The membership requested a discussion of historical gardens. Should be fun....kinda like winning!
ReplyDeleteGeorge Africa
The Vermont Gardener
This book looks super cool...thanks for the chance!!
ReplyDeleteI find these stories so interesting. We all know about historical personalities, but we seldom consider the impact of other life forms upon our lives, especially the presumedly inanimate greener that surrounds us.
ReplyDeleteI just put down an old copy of 100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names and decided to check my feeds before shutting down the comp and saw this post. I love these kinds of books about the history behind these flowers and plants.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to enter this contest, but next time you get offered a garden history type book, tell 'em you know a guy... ;0)
I just recently saw Michael Pollen's Botany of Desire documentary. I am interested in learning more about plant history and their effects on humans. I would love to read this book!
ReplyDeleteThere has been a big spate of garden history and botanical history books in the last decade or so. I think it's partly because educated Baby Boomer gardeners gradually got more sophisticated and wanted to know more about their plants (and it has gotten easier to read than to garden as their knees give out); partly because of the Susan Orleans book "The Orchid Thief," which made plant hunters seem interesting and glamorous; and partly because of Michael Pollan and other writers who have made gardeners think about the connections of their plants to the rest of the world. These are not the kinds of books you would have seen on even an avid gardener's bookshelf in 1959.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the National Geographic books. It looks like a beautiful one. I'd love to enter the drawing for it.
ReplyDeleteWow what a beautiful book, I would love to win and have this!
ReplyDeleteYes please--my husband andI are big plant fans we love National Geographic--they find such lovely pictures--thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeletekakihararocks@gmail.com
This looks like a wonderful winter read...thanks for hosting the opportunity for someone to win a copy!
ReplyDeleteOoh, Ooh, I wanna play!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda!
Lynn ;)
Looks like it has great photos and lots of good info. I hope I win it from you!
ReplyDeleteIf by chance my name is drawn, please pick someone else. I was going through my spam folder and saw that I was offered a copy of this book, too. I responded to the e-mail and one is on the way to me from NGS. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood luck to everyone!
Woohoo! Sign me up!
ReplyDeleteIt's only been in the last few months that I've actually started looking into ornamental plants. Someone recently told me they thought I was mainly edibles, and he was right! I opened my eyes and am learning so much and having a blast.
What a fabulous book. I would be proud to have it on my coffee table. sharonaquilino(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHow exciting, Linda. It looks like a beautiful book. I would love to read it, refer to it, and enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteLike Kylee I was offered a copy as well but was aiming to buy it from Amazon.com but if I can win it from you that'll be even better.
ReplyDeleteThanks for offering, Linda.