Kanawha County Images A Bicentennial History 1788-1988 Book

Brilliant! I bought this as a reference, and ended up reading it from cover to cover... :-)

This book describes the comparatively few plants that grew in Britain after the last Ice Age receded, and then discusses how various plants came to be imported from other countries during the centuries since. A chapter is devoted to each century from 1000 AD to 2000 AD. While there are lists of dates and plant names for those wanting to cut right to the chase, the narrative in each chapter is substantial. It is also delightful to read, with an engaging prose style - and the author knows the value of a good story.

This isn't, of course, just about plants, but about people and about history. William the Conqueror meant plants as well as Normans; the Black Plague meant that only two plants were introduced to Britain during the 1400s; the discovery of the New World in the following century ended that lull well and truly; China opened its frontiers and shared its botanic wonders for a while; and so on and so forth, until we come to the post-WW2 era when the movement of plants has actually slowed down again, due to concern for the conservation of their natural habitats and for the protection of our own.

Apart from being a great read, the book is also very nicely presented, and there is a good range of images of the plants, from old illustrations to modern art to photos. I was hungry for even more images, I have to say, but made do with the prose descriptions...

Recommended for anyone interested in plants, gardens, and how history affects (and perhaps is affected by?) them.