ANNA LEWINGTON

In a world dominated by technological change, it is easy to forget the importance of plants: they feed us, clothe us, clean us, protect us, cure us, transport us and entertain us. Every day, plants play a fundamental role in our lives. "Plants for People" gives us an insight into the countless, often surprising ways in which we use plants - from the woodpulp in our clothing and the soya in fast food, to new medicines from daffodil bulbs (for Alzheimer''s), yew leaves and hazel nuts (for cancers), and sunflower and rape seeds providing cleaner fuel for our cars. Plants are essential to our lives, yet the ways in which we manage them are seriously harming people and environments worldwide. "Plants for People" considers practical and ethical issues such as organic production, bio-piracy and the Fairtrade movement. Its mission: to help us save the diversity of plant life on earth, and to treat as equals the millions of people whose knowledge and services support us every day.

Among all the varied productions with which Nature has adorned the surfaces of the earth, none awakens our sympathies, or interests our imagination so powerfully as those venerable trees, which seem to have stood the lapse of ages John Muir, 1868A fascinating celebration of the some of the oldest living organisms on the planet, from the grand Oaks of Europe and mighty Redwoods of California to Africas upside-down Baobab tree, and from the Ginkgos of China and Korea to the Olive tree, the worldwide symbol of peace.Ancient Trees covers those species of tree that have lived for more than a thousand years: the Redwood, Bristlecone pine, Montezuma Cypress, the Monkey Puzzle, Amazonian Ancients, Yew, Oak, Sweet Chestnut, Lime, Olive, Welwitschia, the Baobab, Kauri, Totara, Antarctic Beech, the Fig, Cedar, and Ginkgo.Anna Lewington, the well-known writer on all things botanical, and leading wildlife photographer Edward Parker provide an illuminating and visually striking history of each tree species, including where the long-living species can still be found, the trees botanical details, and its mythical associations.