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The botanical riches of this book are twofold. This is firstly a book about plants themselves, and the story of their exploration, appreciation, introduction and exploitation through the ages. It is equally about the collective library of books that document this botanical exploration and appreciation of plants, and the history and craft of botanical illustration. Richard Aitken brings his wide expertise in garden history to this highly illustrated book. He traces man's gradual realisation of the potential of plants for medicinal, nutritional, flavouring and decorative purposes from the ancient and classical worlds, through the Renaissance and the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, to today. Magnificently illustrated, with engraved, lithographed and hand coloured botanical illustrations.