Orchid Muse

A History of Obsession in Fifteen Flowers

De: Erica Hannickel

Narrado por: Nicol Zanzarella

One of Literary Hub's Most Anticipated Books of 2022

A kaleidoscopic journey into the world of nature's most tantalizing flower, and the lives it has inspired.

The epitome of floral beauty, orchids have long fostered works of art, tales of adventure, and scientific discovery. Tenacious plant hunters have traversed continents to collect rare specimens; naturalists and shoguns have marveled at orchids' seductive architecture; royalty and the smart set have adorned themselves with their allure. In Orchid Muse, historian and home grower Erica Hannickel gathers these bold tales of the orchid-smitten throughout history, while providing tips on cultivating the extraordinary flowers she features.

The story of orchidomania is one that spans the globe, transporting listeners from the glories of the palace gardens of Chinese Empress Cixi to a seedy dime museum in Gilded Age New York's Tenderloin, from hazardous jungles to the greenhouses and bookshelves of Victorian collectors. Lush and inviting, Orchid Muse is the ultimate celebration of our enduring fascination with these beguiling flowers.

©2022 Erica Hannickel (P)2022 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

best orchid book

Super interesting stories and very well detailed, a fantastic review of orchid history a must listen or read

Disappointing

As a long time orchid grower, I was disappointed. Chapters consisted of a bizarre hodge podge of anecdotes that sounded like they came from Readers Digest. Much of the truly fascinating history of orchids was skipped over entirely, while in other chapters, orchids were barely mentioned at all.