American Household Botany: A History of Useful Plants, 1620-1900 [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Judith Sumner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2004

In this fascinating book, a celebrated author rescues from the pages of history the practical experience and botanical wisdom of generations of Americans.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Sumner examines nearly two hundred years of American know-how, offering a captivating perspective on how plants have been used in the home. The foodstuffs of Native American agriculture and the gardens of European settlers are first studied, from the preparation of many kinds of grains to arrays of fruits, berries, and vegetables found in the kitchen gardens at Monticello. Early "herbals" and cookbooks provide background, which is supplemented by descriptions of botanical aspects such as toxic compounds or helpful medicinal properties. In great detail Sumner traces and documents preservation methods and wine making, and analyzes how the evolution of aromatic herbs and spices influenced the tastes and culinary habits of immigrants to the New World. A chapter on domestic medicine covers a fascinating cornucopia of plants cultivated for health, nourishment, and healing. Species that produce wood, fiber, and textiles are accorded equal attention. Attitudes toward the landscape and individuals who spread the word about botanical pursuits round out Sumner's well-researched study. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Well documented, authoritative, eminently readable, and a good resource for several disciplines."—Joann Karges, Sida, Contributions to Botany, September 2005 (Joann Karges Sida Contributions to Botany )

"The subject as presented here is more than a factual history; it places these plants in the daily activities of people, from chores to rituals, and anchors them in a realistic landscape that has room for beauty as well as utilitarian function."—Kim Long, Bloomsbury Review, May 2005 (Kim Long Bloomsbury Review )

"Sumner is an accomplished storyteller who weaves together fascinating information about plants and people."—Linda Askey, American Gardener, May/June 2005 (Linda Askey American Gardener )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 396 pages
• Publisher: Timber Press (September 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881926523
• ISBN-13: 978-0881926521
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #501,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Agricultural Sciences > Crop Science

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous book., November 23, 2006

By 

Catherine Sumner "plant lover" (MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Household Botany: A History of Useful Plants, 1620-1900 (Hardcover)

In this fascinating book, celebrated author Judith Sumner rescues from the pages of history the practical experience and botanical wisdom of generations of Americans. Crossing the disciplines of history, ethnobotany, and horticulture--and with a flair for the colorful anecdote--Sumner underlines a part of the American story often ignored or forgotten: how European settlers and their descendents made use of the "strange" new plants they found, as well as the select varieties of foods and medicines they brought with them from other continents. From "turkie wheat" (corn) to "tuckahoe" (a Native American source of starch), Sumner describes the transition from wonderment to daily use, as homesteads were built upon and prospered from the plants of the New World.

Virtually no aspect of "practical" botany is ignored in these pages, from dyestuffs to household herbs and from timber harvests to holly wreaths. It is a remarkable story of the interdependence of plants and the American home. Historians, herbalists, home gardeners, and ethnobotanists will find American Household Botany a treasure trove of original research and insight.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars American Household Botany Review, October 22, 2007

By 

Paul Holloway - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: American Household Botany: A History of Useful Plants, 1620-1900 (Hardcover)

AN excellent history of useful botanicals as developed and/or brought to the shore of America. I have enjoyed it very much and hope that my loaned-out copy cames back to me ;-).

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More reviews of this superb book, November 23, 2006

By 

J. Sumner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: American Household Botany: A History of Useful Plants, 1620-1900 (Hardcover)

Read what many other reviews have had to say about this book -

"Well documented, authoritative, eminently readable, and a good resource for several disciplines."
--Joann Karges, Sida, Contributions to Botany, September 2005

"The subject as presented here is more than a factual history; it places these plants in the daily activities of people, from chores to rituals, and anchors them in a realistic landscape that has room for beauty as well as utilitarian function."
--Kim Long, Bloomsbury Review, May 2005

"Sumner is an accomplished storyteller who weaves together fascinating information about plants and people."
--Linda Askey, American Gardener, May/June 2005

"Readers will discover many intersting tidbits about the geographical origins, folklore, and uses of particular plants. ... Readers will gain a good general introduction to plant science and discover the multitudinous ways in which plants play a part in people's lives."
--D. H. Pfister, Choice, March 2005

"Historians, herbalists, horticulturists, ethnobotanists, cooks and home gardeners will find many items of interest written in a delightful and useful manner in this comprehensive book."
--Joanne S. Carpender, National Gardener, October 2004

"American Household Botany is a great way to while away an afternoon. Each page is permeated with an abundance of fascinating facts and figures. ... [It] will amaze, delight, and inform."
--Lynette Walther, Camden Herald, July 29, 2006

"History underground is unearthed in Judith Sumner's latest contribution to American studies. ... isn't nearly as dry as its title implies. In fact, the subject matter can get a bit dirty."
--Suzanne Moore, Wichita Falls Times Record News, April 3, 2005

"It makes a great gift for anyone who loves history or gardens or both."
--Mary Ann Newcomer, Idaho Botanical Garden, Spring 2005

"The book traces the history of the immigrant's dependence on these unknown resources and provides a very well written lively history of the settler's numerous ways of coping with and utilising plants."
--Michael Heinrich, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, March 2005

"A sprightly tome, well written, and well researched, covering a range of topics... fascinating."
--Marvin J. Caldwell, Taxon, February 2005

"Historians, herbalists, ethno-botanists, and even home gardeners will find [this book] a treasure trove ... an absolute joy to read."
--Larry Cox, Tucson Citizen, February 10, 2005

"It is a remarkable story of the interdependence of plants and the American home. Historians, herbalists, home gardeners, and ethnobotanists will find American Household Botany a treasure trove of original research and insight."
--Alliance for Historic Landscape Preservation Newsletter, Winter 2005

"The book begins with foods cultivated by Native Americans, then discusses garden plots of European settlers that provided wood, fiber, and textiles. It gracefully merges history, ethnobotany, and horticulture, all spiced with colorful antecdotes."
--American Herb Association Quarterly Newsletter, Winter 2005

"She has gathered often quite obscure information from a huge number of both primary and secondary sources for American Household Botany in order to tell utterly fascinating tales of ethnobotanical history."
--HortIdeas, December 2004

"Engaging and enlightening."
--Ilene Sternberg, Wilmington News Journal, December 16, 2004

"This is a treasure of original research and insight."
--Russell Studebaker, Tulsa World, December 11, 2004

"A fun and hearty read."
--Marion Owen, UpBeet Gardener Newsletter, December 3, 2004

"Sumner's findings make interesting reading."
--Suzanne Hively, Cleveland Plain Dealer, October 7, 2004