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Seeds of Change: Six Plants That Transformed Mankind
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 581.6309
EAN: 9781593760496
ISBN: 1593760493
Label: Shoemaker & Hoard
Manufacturer: Shoemaker & Hoard
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 400
Publication Date: November 22, 2005
Publisher: Shoemaker & Hoard
Studio: Shoemaker & Hoard
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Editorial Review:
A personal and highly original take on the history of six commercial plants, Seeds of Change illuminates how sugar, tea, cotton, the potato, quinine, and the cocoa plant have shaped our past. In this fascinating account, the impassioned Henry Hobhouse explains the consequences of these plants with attention-grabbing historical moments. While most records of history focus on human influence, Hobhouse emphasizes how plants too are a central and influential factor in the historical process. Seeds of Change is a captivating and invaluable addition to our understanding of modern culture.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - This book is ahistorical
For my research at this time, I only read the section on sugar. This section was filled with historical errors and biased, prejudiced language. Very few of his interpretations were orthodox. . He lumped all Arabs together as always having a low opinion of physical work. Furthermore, according to Hobhouse, they have all enjoyed making trade agreements, all the time. He cited Arabs as having been partly responsible for African race-based slave trade. This was not accurate; Europeans did not use intermediaries ... Read More
Rating:  - His own way with words
This book consists of a collection of historical essays about six plants: quinine, sugar, tea, cotton, the potato, and coca. For each plant, the author provides historical information about when it first began to be used (especially by Westerners), and how its use spread across the planet. Some of the information was quite interesting, particularly since the author is British and presents the material from a British point-of-view, emphasizing facts that may be less familiar to Americans. Unfortunately, no ... Read More
Rating:  - An insightful book
I havn't read this book in a while but came across an editorial by Hobhouse recently and I thought I'd check to see if it's still in print. I recall some rather strange notions about our 'current' lack of fiber in our diet and the dire effect it may have, but in most areas where he dosn't range too far afield it's a good read. A reader above found the book racist but I don't recall anything like that. If you like Hobhouse try to dig up Edgar Andersons ' ' Plants Man and Life'. Not an inspired title but a ... Read More
Rating: - An insightful book
I havn't read this book in a while but came across an editorial by Hobhouse recently and I thought I'd check to see if it's still in print. I recall some rather strange notions about our 'current' lack of fiber in our diet and the dire effect it may have, but in most areas where he dosn't range too far afield it's a good read. A reader above found the book racist but I don't recall anything like that. If you like Hobhouse try to dig up Edgar Andersons ' ' Plants Man and Life'. Not an inspired title but a ... Read More
Rating: - Important book - but read with a critical mind.
Hobhouse is a must for anyone interested in history (particularly environmental history). He provides a new perspective to parts of history that we often don't question. However, reader beware - Hobhouse is an overt racist. Don't take everything he says at face value and be prepared to "toss off" the inflamatory remarks that are sprinkled throughout the book. While an important book, the chapters are poorly organized. Hobhouse attempts to tackle immense topics ("macrohistory") in limited ... Read More
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