Love this book! I am a keen botanical artist and love looking at historical botanical prints. This book helps brings perspective to prints and artists I have known for years.

I love it so much I will be purchasing the hardback!

This book is a piece of art. It's full of detailed and beautiful illustrations. It's organized as a precious timeline about the historical events that shaped the world of botany. What kept me from giving a 5 star rating is the fact that it's only concentrated on the history of it instead of botany, which was the main reason behind me reading this book. Nonetheless, it's a must read for those of you who love to learn about this topic.

#TheBotanistsLibrary #NetGalley

I think the author did a good job gathering information and sharing the history of botany from the beginning. I also enjoyed the prints through out the book.

Beautiful illustrations interspersed within texts about botanists and history. I think this wold be the perfect book for any plant lover in your life (I have already preordered this for just this reason) and a delight for any history buff.

The Botanist library does an amazing job of walking you through the history of Botany. It showcases documents, artwork and beautiful illustrations to show the reader how far this area of science has come. From Ancient times all the way to the present day. For me, as a homeschool mom and someone who appreciates nature and science, this would be a book I would want to read, own, and display. So much is packed into this one book and I think you can not go wrong by ordering it!

The chapter line-up shows what can be expected

-Early texts show emerging knowledge of plants
-the coming of print
-botanists strive to know and classify more plants
-the global and the local
-botany becomes a science
-the modern botanists library takes shape

Grab this book and enjoy!!!

Book Review: The Botanist's Library by Carolyn Fry and Emma Wayland

Rating: 4 Stars

As someone who has always been captivated by the wonders of the plant kingdom, I recently had the pleasure of reviewing The Botanist's Library, and it’s safe to say that this book is a true gem! With over 300 significant botanical works and illustrations, Fry and Wayland have created an impressive collection that takes readers on a visual and intellectual journey through the history of botany.

From ancient manuscripts written by pioneering naturalists to contemporary references that continue to influence our understanding of plants, this book serves as a heartfelt tribute to the dedication and curiosity of botanists throughout the ages. The narrative is engaging, weaving together fascinating stories and insights from each era while showcasing the beauty of botanical illustrations.

One of the aspects I found particularly intriguing was how the book highlights key milestones in botanical science, such as Theophrastus's Historia Plantarum, which is regarded as the first comprehensive history of botany. It’s incredible to think about how these early classifications laid the groundwork for our modern understanding of plants. The sections covering the herbalists of the 16th century and the adventurous flower hunters of the 18th and 19th centuries were equally captivating. They painted a picture of a time when exploration and discovery were at the forefront of botanical science.

What truly sets this book apart for me is its stunning artwork. Each page seems like a window into a world filled with vibrant colors and intricate details that bring plants to life. I can easily see this book becoming a staple on my coffee table, sparking conversations among fellow botany lovers and anyone curious about nature. The combination of gorgeous illustrations and rich narratives makes it a pleasure to flip through, whether you're diving deep into a specific chapter or simply browsing for inspiration.

Overall, I would give The Botanist's Library a solid four stars. It is not only informative but also visually appealing, making it a fantastic addition to any nature enthusiast’s collection. Whether you’re a seasoned botanist or just someone who appreciates the beauty of plants, this book is bound to enrich your understanding of the incredible world of botany.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

If I were a botanist, I would have loved to own this book.
I am not a botanist, and I still think I should get the print copy to refer to the history of botany/botanical science.
I found the images to be very inspiring and informative as well as the text. There is a nice balance between them.
As someone who has recently developed an amateur interest in female botanists, the highlights for me were the passages about their work.

Here is a beautifully illustrated title that looks at the history of botanical texts. There is so much included here.

Readers begin with the Egyptians and the Ebers papyrus. Other sections include The Coming Of Print, Botanists Strive to Know More and Classify More Plants, The Global and the Local, Botany Becomes a Science and, The Modern Botanists’ Library Takes Shape. In this way this wide ranging book goes from ancient times up until the present. Throughout there are beautiful photographs and illustrations.

It is getting close to the holiday season. This book would make a great gift for someone who is interested in botanical history.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

A beautiful and informative book that’s a must for both readers and gardeners. A gorgeous coffee table tome