Customer Reviews

Demons in Eden: The Paradox of Plant Diversity

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Every species, at least early in its life, must spread. In most cases this spread involves competition with other already existing species. Why hasn't this competition led to just a few successful species? Why do we have hundreds of thousands of species?

Silvertown has a talent for clear explanation and decades of accumulated knowledge to enthusiastically share. His sense of awe is conveyed, especially during the global field experiences on which you are taken. Sit back and enjoy; this book must be read. Botanists, plant ecologists, and students of biodiversity will appreciate this book because of the examples drawn from around the globe, tidbits of wisdom interspersed throughout, clear/logical thinking, and the enjoyable infusion of history. I especially enjoyed the logic and clarity of Silvertown's discussion of genetically modified crops.

Figures and maps are entirely lacking from the text. I felt a strong need for a few figures and maps to be interspersed with the text. Chapter three's discussion of phylogeny of Canary Island species would have been easier to follow with a simple map of the islands and a stick figure cladogram. The chapter became tedious without these. The author made up for the lack of figures with very clear explanation, but we all know that a picture is worth so many words. There are color photos grouped together at the center of the book, but these don't seem to convey the images that were needed, certainly not where they are needed. A half dozen black and white figures (including maps) interspersed throughout the book would have been better, and perhaps cheaper, than the group of color photos.

The author's skill at explaining ideas and years of experience in plant evolutionary biology are evident, and so I highly recommend this book.

Demons in Eden is an immensely enjoyable introduction to the world of plant biodiversity. Throughout his book Jonathan Silvertown demonstrates not only his passion for the subject, but also his ability to share his wealth of knowledge in such a way that anyone new to the subject will immediately feel at ease.

Peppered with atmospheric narration, accessible science and field studies in several countries worldwide, Demons in Eden is an eye-opening journey that graphically illustrates the essential role that evolution has played, and continues to play, in maintaining the balance of nature. Conversely, the author also gently reminds us - with his references to `Darwinian Demons' - of the potential danger of interfering with the status quo.

I can think of no other book that approaches this topic with such lucidity and appeal. But don't just take my word for it...on the back cover of the book I noticed glowing reviews from best-selling author, Oliver Sacks, and Peter Crane, director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as well as several other luminaries in this field.

I read this book after greatly enjoying AN ORCHARD INVISIBLE also written by Silvertown. Demons in Eden is strongly ecology oriented with a fair smattering of evolution within it. There is also a chapter discussing genetic engineering with pros and con. These two books of his make great reading for a horticulture or botany oriented person looking for non-scientific yet informative reading in ecology. You also get to travel all over the world with the author. There was enough good science in the 162 pages for me to want to reread it at a future date. I'm a retired agronomist with a horticulture and botany background.

This was the book that introduced me to Silvertown initially, and I've not stopped reading him since. His following books, "99% Ape" (unfortunate title) and "The Orchard Invisible" confirm the impression that "Eden" gave me, that Silvertown represents a sharp, distinct new voice in science writing that will be worth following.

Silvertown weaves interesting botanical information with biographical anecdotes and colorful asides to make the more substantial scientific prose go down smooth. So enjoyable is the book that one almost doesn't notice how persuasive and educational it is in the process. The photos in the book's center pages, many from Kew Gardens, help illustrate the more salient points in "Eden" with handsome images.

Botany and the evolution of plants has been too largely ignore. When I think of the books on evolution that have taught me the most, the stress has almost always been on animals--tiktaalik, ice fish, finches, whales, chimps and the like. And as a fellow animal, there's a natural hook there into the topic. But the secret life of plants is, if anything, more fasinating in key regards, and certainly deserves the kind of page-turning attention that Silvertown lavishes on it. Highly recommended.

"Demons in Eden" is an enjoyable tour through the science of plant ecology, written by a leading plant ecologist, Jonathan Silvertown. Silvertown writes in a casual, entertaining way, sprinkled with personal anecdotes and with obvious passion for, and deep knowledge of, his subject. The unifying thread through Silvertown's travels about the world's ecosystems is what makes some plants become invasive and dominate and change ecosystem. It's a timely topic and a book that keen gardeners would benefit from reading. It's also a great book to give to young university undergraduates with an interest in plants.