The history of civilization told through the story of man’s relation to and use of seeds. Seeds have influenced evolution; and for millennia they have influenced and sometimes determined where and how we live. This is an epic tale; given added enchantment by the fact that to most of us seeds mean little more than tiny objects in paper packets: who thinks first of rice; wheat; coffee; nuts; peas; beans; or olives? Here; Peter Thompson unfolds the absorbing history of how; after centuries of investigation; we finally discovered what seeds do and how they work. This is a scientific detective story with heroes and heroines following clues and finding answers. Thompson brings to life the eccentrics; explorers; amateurs; and highly dedicated professionals who have accumulated our knowledge. Some are well known; such as Charles Darwin and Gregor Mendel; others; like the Russian geneticist Nikolai Vavilov; are less so. The seeds also have a story and appear to have personalities; ambitions; and “stratagems†of their own. The book concludes with a chapter by Stephen Harris on current debates about genetically modified crops; seed conservation; and plant ownership in the contemporary world. 42 color and 8 black-and-white illustrations
#771408 in Books 2008-12-22Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 .70 x 7.90 x 9.80l; 1.30 #File Name: 0495603856448 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Contains errorsBy gadget girlI bought this for a class and was disappointed to find errors. One that I noticed in particular was the comment that the Shia's are waiting for the return of Husayn; the Prophet;s grandson. The book is correct in that the Shia position is that Ali should have been the immediate successor to Mohammad and that Husayn was martyred; but he is not "hidden away" (as the book says). Husayn was the third imam; the imam that was/is "hidden away" is the twelfth and it is his return as the Mahdi that the Shia Muslims await. It seemed to me to be an easy fact to correct and I don't know whether to blame sloppy research or sloppy editing; but it lowered my rating on this book. There are others much better and more accurate.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Interesting.By David CorveraBook did come in new. But since it's a paperback it does get bended along the edges after a short period of time. But then again it depends how you take care of it.As far as the material that is given; I just finished reading about the 1st chapter on Hinduism; and it covers a whole lot of background from the earliest times to modern days.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. FANTASTIC LAYOUT!By City CountryAWESOME coverage of major world religions without being religious!! Great; easy to follow consistent chapter layout! Gives you the points you need to know while maintaining respect of the subject matter-again not religious in tone at all- simply presents the information academically.
