Wicked Plants

The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities

De: Amy Stewart

Narrado por: Coleen Marlo

Beware! The sordid lives of plants behaving badly. A tree that sheds poison daggers; a glistening red seed that stops the heart; a shrub that causes paralysis; a vine that strangles; and a leaf that triggered a war. Amy Stewart, best-selling author of Flower Confidential, takes on over 200 of Mother Nature's most appalling creations in an A to Z of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend.

Stewart renders a vivid portrait of evildoers that may be lurking in your own backyard. Drawing on history, medicine, science, and legend, this compendium of bloodcurdling botany will entertain, enlighten, and alarm even the most intrepid gardeners and nature lovers.

©2009 Amy Stewart (P)2011 Tantor

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Culling legend and citing science, Stewart's fact-filled, A-Z compendium of nature's worst offenders offers practical and tantalizing composite views of toxic, irritating, prickly, and all-around ill-mannered plants." ( Booklist)

Couldn't finish it

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I would recommend a print copy to someone who was very interested in plants. It's basically a research book, a list of plants.

Would you recommend Wicked Plants to your friends? Why or why not?

No, because it is basically a list of noxious plants and their characteristics. I thought it would be a nonfiction boo, k arranged as essays or themed chapter. Lists do not make entertaining reading.

What three words best describe Coleen Marlo’s performance?

Clear, accurate, educated.

Reads like a Encyclopedic List

This was interesting but most of the plants were only lightly touched upon. I was hoping for a more detailed account of what they were and how they have been used. It was still interesting to find out how dangerous some plants can be and how some are used for common decoration.

Interesting

Parts were very interesting but then it felt like everything could make certain people react. Having certain allergies and sensitivities I was eager to learn about this but I think this is a book that is better either with an accompanying PDF if there is one or just get the hardcover which hopefully has visuals or photos. If you’re into hiking or really into nature, this probably is a must read though.

A physical book would have been better.

The narration was good, don’t get me wrong, but I wish I had a physical book or even a kindle copy to make notes etc. it would be easier to look up things later. Amazed at how many common plants can make you sick or kill you.

A catalog of toxic plants

Wide ranging but superficial. Hard to listen. Repetitive at times, could benefit from editing. A few interesting anecdotes.

Lots of information

I learned a lot from this book about plants that I had never heard of, and about plants that I knew about already. I love to learn new things. I will read this again probably.

Better in print

This book describes poisonous and noxious plants. It’s more a list than a narrative: fascinating, but definitely better in print.

The narrator is very staccato and doesn’t emphasize words that might make the format more engaging. I slowed the narration to 0.9 to keep up with the barrage of truly interesting information.

It’s a fun and informative book that doesn’t translate well to audio.

For the Casual Nerd

Any additional comments?

This is an enjoyable book for those who also like to read tidbits of trivia, in this case about poisonous plants. I listened to this while I ran on the treadmill during my workout. Lots of neat stuff to learn about without being too weighed down with specific scientific speak. For the casual nerd who doesn't necessarily have to be into plants.

More of a list

A lot of good info, no real story. Many of the factoids were repeated. Of course now I’ll never eat another plant again, but....

These plants are no joke

The narration is a little stale, but there is good information to be had in this book.

You'll learn not only about things like Wolf's Bane and it's commonly known poisonous friends, but about weeds, trees, and flowers. It's really fascinating, give it a try.