Aug 12, Almeta rated it liked it Shelves: Not so much a narrative but an encyclopedia with a story or two. I am not likely to remember every plant and its toxin but its affect no matter which genus will likely be; nausea, vomiting, irritated bowel in the extreme, paralysis and respiratory failure. I was surprised at how many of these I have actually cultivated in my own garden and home.
Some of which I gave a "Jaundiced eye" while reading this book! If your significant other has Not so much a narrative but an encyclopedia with a story or two. Apr 02, Akira rated it it was amazing. Jan 06, Sue Smith rated it really liked it Shelves: This is the nicest presentation of a 'fact' book that I've seen for a long time. I love the cover.
That's just me- I love how it gives a sinister vibe, looks old and has a solemn, menacing appearance with the use of that intertwining thorny vine. Absolutely made me want to pick it up and open it. Also loved the golden ribbon stitched into the binding so you could mark your place - or the plant that you want to use on your next victim. Next, I love the beautiful illustrations and etc This is the nicest presentation of a 'fact' book that I've seen for a long time.
Next, I love the beautiful illustrations and etchings. Soooooo detailed it felt like you could reach out and touch them. Really helped to show the beauty and the beast in the plants - how deceptive the beauty can be.
The illustrations were macabre, to say the least, but they certainly gave you the true understanding of the nature of the plant. I think my favorite one was the Botanical Crime Families - had a strong resemblance to the Godfather!! Mainly, I love how this little tome was laid out - alphabetical but broken up by small 'chapters' on groupings. The plants all were introduced with a small but interesting story that involved some poor unfortunate that had a run in with said plant that usually didn't end well.
All plants were given a brief history and symptoms you should expect if you decide to ingest them, as well as the latin name and the other given names by locals,etc. It's a quick read actually, but would be really handy to have on your shelf on the off chance you decide to try that 'weed' that looks and smells just like celery in your next culinary creation. Me - I'll stick to the tried and true! But, it's always good to know!! Mar 25, Sesana rated it really liked it Shelves: Wicked Plants is a sort of capsule collection of plants that have some sort of harmful effect.
That's a vague summary, because there's a wide variety here, from poisonous to irritating to invasive. Each plant has a very short write up that describes what it is and what makes it so bad. There's also a few short "feature" sections that will have brief paragraphs about half a dozen or so plants that fit a theme deadly to house pets, for example. The author is writing in a very conversational styl Wicked Plants is a sort of capsule collection of plants that have some sort of harmful effect.
The author is writing in a very conversational style. If I were to walk with her through her own poison garden, she'd probably say pretty much exactly the same things in exactly the same ways when talking about her plants. It's a quick and fascinating read. Oh, and it's so very pretty.
Starting with that lovely green cover of entwining, thorny vines. Each plant is illustrated with an honest-to-God copper plate etching by Briony Morrow-Cribbs, every one so beautiful that I'd love to have them framed. This is the sort of book that can just be looked at appreciatively. Jul 15, Nikki rated it liked it Shelves: Wicked Plants is one of those books which seems, to me, more like the sort of thing you dip into, flip through, and ultimately probably leave on the bookshop shelf.
Reviewed for The Bibliophibian. Jun 11, Lauren rated it really liked it Shelves: A very interesting little reference book - the plants are grouped by how "wicked" they are: I learned several tidbits from it. Did you know that Bayer drug company was the first distributor of heroin from the opium poppy?
- Wicked plants : the weed that killed Lincoln's mother & other botanical atrocities.
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It was on the market for years before they completely realized the effects of the drug. The bit about the deadly nightshade berries crossed my mind when I went berry-picking this past weekend Apr 16, Amy rated it liked it Shelves: Very fun and interesting - and now I don't touch anything when I go outside. Jul 24, Robyn rated it did not like it. What happens when you abandon ethos and choose inappropriate evidence to induce shock? You get Amy Stewart's Wicked Plants. If you need to research some clever poisons for your next murder mystery, you could do worse than start your search for candidates here.
It's a quick and readable introduction to the wide world of dangerous plants, with the fun and exciting well, if you share some of my gallows humor basics on the major ones plus the relatives of these dangerous plants. But that's not all this book offers. It's not just clever murder methods.
It's also the stuff won't kill you probably , but will make you sick If you need to research some clever poisons for your next murder mystery, you could do worse than start your search for candidates here. It's also the stuff won't kill you probably , but will make you sick and very uncomfortable. It's the stuff it would never occur to you to eat, but might kill your animals. It's the stuff you probably don't want to plant in your garden, especially if you have allergies, or care about people who do.
It's the invasive plants that are choking waterways. It's the nasty stuff that global warming will help invade areas currently free of it. It's those fascinating carnivorous plants. Did I mention it's a lot of fun? I bought this audiobook. Sep 06, Emma Woolner rated it really liked it. Pretty interesting and fun read! Jan 30, FabulousRaye rated it liked it Shelves: Informative and surprisingly funny in parts.
It does tell you about plants that can be used for murder and suicide purposes. Dec 31, Jessi rated it liked it. I was expecting more of a Mary Roach vibe, but this is a super anecdotal guide book.
Wicked Plants - Workman Publishing
The trivia vibe is fun and the presentation is good, but I was hoping for something a bit more substantial, which was my fault. Dec 09, Claire Greene rated it it was amazing. This book was loaned to me from a friend and I admit at first I was a bit sketch about it. While I have begun to learn and enjoy the art of gardening in the last few years, I am not really into all things plants. However, after I began reading it, I really loved it. The book is well written and doesn't get too bogged down in the tiny boring details. Instead, it more focuses on all the This book was loaned to me from a friend and I admit at first I was a bit sketch about it.
Instead, it more focuses on all the little facts and stories regarding plants that we are very familiar with and others that are pretty obscure. Every page is full of interesting facts that are perfect for cocktail party talk, trivial pursuit questions and general conversation starters. Did you know that tomato plants are part of the Nightshade family? Beyond the content and the writing, the actual book is beautiful. The cover design gives you a hint of the intricate and beautiful drawings that are on almost every page.
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This is a great read for doctors appointments, etc. Given that there isn't a true plot, etc. I highly recommend this book to everyone - I guarantee even if you don't really like plants, this book will surprise and entertain you. Mar 18, Shawn Thrasher rated it it was ok. I was looking forward to Wicked Plants , but I was kind of disappointed.
It wasn't what I wanted it to be at all. I once read this book called The Red Hourglass: Lives of the Predators , which was this magnificent book of essays all about spiders, particularly the poisonous kind. Gruesomely interesting, eloquently written, full of fascinating information delicately doled out like caviar at a wedding reception - it's been my touchstone for books of essays and books of information ever since.
Wicked I was looking forward to Wicked Plants , but I was kind of disappointed.
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Wicked Plants was certainly a book of information, but there wasn't really any kind of narrative theme; it was just a series of short articles on poisonous and wicked plants around the world. It sort of felt like a book of school themes albeit extremely well written ones.
Individually interesting, but more for the information Stewart gathered, not for her writing style --and that disappoints. Now if I had wanted to murder someone and wanted to use poison found in the back yard a la Agatha Christie, then I think I would have been far more satisfied with Wicked Plants Wicked Plants 1 5 Jun 17, Videos About This Book.
She lives in Portland with her husband Scott Brown, a rare book dealer. They own an independent bookstore called Eureka Books , which is so independent that it lives in California while they live in Oregon. You can also find her all over the country speaking to audiences at bookstores, libraries, botanical gardens, corporate campuses, and university and museum lecture series. To find out if she's coming to your town, visit the Events page of her website. She's online almost every week chatting with book clubs on Skype, so get in touch! The World's Most Fascinating Flora. Customers also shopped for.
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Wicked plants : the weed that killed Lincoln's mother & other botanical atrocities
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It was so good I gave it as a gift. I bought it again and ordered more by this Author. Short chapters or sections on each plant make it a good book for when you just want a little break from your day but don't want to get engrossed in a novel. However, there are a number of inaccuracies in the book- I wouldn't use it as a reference to write your term paper. One person found this helpful. There's a problem loading this menu right now.
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Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities
Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations. View or edit your browsing history. Get to Know Us. Your rating has been recorded. Write a review Rate this item: Preview this item Preview this item. Stewart takes on more than of Mother Nature's most appalling creations and offers this A-to-Z compendium of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend.
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