Forgotten Fruits
The stories behind Britain's traditional fruit and vegetables
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Cornerstone
Published:7th May '09
Should be back in stock very soon
Monty Don's favourite book of the year
In Forgotten Fruits, Christopher Stocks tells the fascinating - often rather bizarre - stories behind Britain's rich heritage of fruit and vegetables.
In Forgotten Fruits, Christopher Stocks tells the fascinating - often rather bizarre - stories behind Britain's rich heritage of fruit and vegetables. Take Newton Wonder apples, for instance, first discovered around 1870 allegedly growing in the thatch of a Derbyshire pub. Or the humble gooseberry which, among other things, helped Charles Darwin to arrive at his theory of evolution. Not to mention the ubiquitous tomato, introduced to Britain from South America in the sixteenth century but regarded as highly poisonous for hearly 200 years.
This is a wonderful piece of social and natural history that will appeal to every gardener and food aficionado.
A great source of inspiration -- Simon Tiffin * Telegraph *
Scholarly and fascinating ... conjures a lost world from the humble gooseberry, leek and apple -- Jane Shilling * The Times *
Attractive anecdotal book * Financial Times *
Delightful celebration of Britain's forgotten fruit and veg ... an intriguing hybrid of narrative history and encyclopaedia * Guardian *
[A] captivating book ... written with a wonderfully light and assured touch -- Anna Pavord * Gardens Illustrated *
Christopher Stocks's passion for, and research of, his subject makes Forgotten Fruits a fascinating read - and not just for experts * Garden Media Guild - runner up for Inspirational Book Award *
Fruit and veg have never been more exciting ... fresh insight into Britain's natural and social history, with inspiration for gardeners in spadefuls * National Trust Magazine *
5 Stars ... superbly written ... do your bit to keep Britain's varied heritage going * BBC Countryfile magazine *
This book has arrived at just the right time ... part social history book, part gardening book and part allotment grower's wish list ... if you love the tit-bits and tales behind the varieties, you're in for a treat * Garden News *
Handsome and readable ... will be enjoyed by people interested in the diversity of British fruit and vegetables and the stories behind their development -- Joy Larkcom * The Garden *
- Short-listed for Guild of Food Writers Awards: Food Book of the Year 2009
ISBN: 9780099514749
Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 21mm
Weight: 268g
336 pages