1.15Kg of CO2
144 litre(s) of Water
0.0086 Tree(s)
1 book donated to global literacy projects
How to be a Bad Botanist
How to be a Bad Botanist
hardback
Published:
25 April, 2024
Popular Books by Simon Barnes
View All Books by Simon Barnes
Description
Can you tell a tomato from a grape? A patch of grass from a Christmas tree? Then congratulations – you’re a botanist.
Self-confessed bad birdwatcher Simon Barnes thought he knew nothing about plants. He didn't have anything against them: trees are interesting because birds perch in them; plants are useful because they create habitats, and all birds live in habitats. But while admiring the tenacity of some yellow horned poppies thriving on a shingle beach – a place where it seemed no plant had a hope of surviving – he was struck by a simple yet profound truth. It all begins with plants.
In this charming and inspiring book, Barnes takes us on a fascinating journey, from the simple genius of photosynthesis to the complex and bizarre ways that plants reproduce. We consider plants as varied as cabbages and conifers, familiar wildflowers and enigmatic orchids, nefarious parasites and plants that carry deadly poisons – helping us better appreciate the beauty and diversity of the natural world.
Both a primer on botany and an exploration of how plants make our external and interior worlds, How to Be a Bad Botanist opens our eyes to the wonders around us. Plants are everywhere, in every part of your life, and you know more than you think.
More Details
| Type | Book |
|---|---|
| ISBN13 | 9781398518919 |
| ISBN10 | 1398518913 |
| Number Of Pages | 288 |
| Item Weight | 1000 g |
| Product Dimensions | 135 x 216 x 25 mm |
| Publisher / Reseller | Simon & Schuster Ltd |
| Format | hardback |
Media Reviews
‘I’d give Simon Barnes’s How to Be a Bad Botanist to anyone interested in what we take for granted, the plants around us. He writes as an everyman, not an expert, which makes the book accessible and appealing.' -- Michael Palin * Observer Best Books of 2024 *
‘I can’t think of a better introduction for an intelligent reader . . . a book whose time has come’ * Country Living *
'Funny and inspiring' * People's Friend *
GoodReads Reviews
Author's Bio
Simon Barnes is the author of many wild volumes, including the bestselling Bad Birdwatcher trilogy, Rewild Yourself, On The Marsh and The History of the World in 100 Animals. He is a council member of World Land Trust, trustee of Conservation South Luangwa and patron of Save the Rhino. In 2014, he was awarded the Rothschild Medal for services to conservation. He lives in Norfolk with his family and horses, where he manages several acres for wildlife. He was the Chief Sports Writer for The Times until 2014, having worked for the paper for 30 years.