Fencing Paradise: The Uses and Abuses of Plants - Softcover

Richard Mabey is the author of the bestselling, award-winning and ground-breaking Flora Britannica, as well as many highly praised books about nature and the environment, including Food for Free and The Unofficial Countryside. His book about Gilbert White won the Whitbread Biography of the Year.
From the Hardcover edition.

"Fluid and highly readable, Fencing Paradise is environmentally aware, but never preachy. Mabey dips into a broad pool of knowledge...to offer a panoramic depiction of our attempts to tame nature, and a cautionary vision of the possible consequences." The Daily Telegraph "Mabey's lucid and very erudite "pot-pourri of responses, recollections and free associations" was sparked off by three seasons' worth of visits to the Eden Project. The ambitious scale of that massive hothouse umbrella is reflected in the breadth of his contemplation." Independent on Sunday "A remarkable, beautifully written, exquisite book on botanical and ecological ideas, inspired by visits to the Eden Project. Subtitled "The Uses and Abuses of Plants", it's a gem." The Bookseller "A terrific book...it's an engaging compendium of plant chat and history." -- Catherine Shoard The Evening Standard "The author structures his book with a journey through the biotopia of the Eden Project in Cornwall, from where he darts off in history and geography to offer sparkling mini-essays on specific herbs and plants and more general matters botanical and ecological." -- Steven Poole Guardian