Flowers in the Field - New Book

[Lancashire Lad]

Earlier this week I received my copy of this just published book, which I think would make a useful addition to any would be botanist's book collection: -

"Flowers in the Field" (How to find, identify and enjoy wild flowers).
Author - Faith Anstey
Publisher Whittet Books
ISBN 978 1 873580 80 6
174 pages, softback, approximately 220mm tall x 150mm wide x 15mm thick.
Price £12.95

I think it fills a glaring gap in the types of botany & wild flower books that have previously been available, and aims to guide the beginner/novice botanist through the maze of how to go about identifying the plants that might be found.

The book is most definitely not a field guide, but more of an introduction to the "how's", "why's", & "where's", of wild flowers.

There are sections on exactly what wild flowers are, how they work, where to look, naming of plants, getting involved, sources of help, etc. etc., all of which are subdivided into more specific areas. (For example the Name that plant section includes detail on how plants are classified, the use of field guides & keys, strategies for identification).

It contains quite a few line diagrams, and a substantial number of good quality photographs. - (As it happens, one of which is mine ). The narrative is in easy going, mainly layman's terminology style, and contains a plethora of tips on plant characteristics and the features that should be looked for to gain a better chance of identification.

It is a book that needs to be used not instead of, but in conjunction with a good field guide.

Not really a book for the very experienced, but I think the novice or thus far "casual" botanist will find that this, along with a suitable field guide, should provide much of what is needed to get a firm foothold on the botanical path.

Regards,
Mike.

[earthdragon64]

Thanks for the info Mike, that looks really interesting, and sounds like something I've been looking for. I had a look at the table of contents on Amazon, the part on the structure of a flower is just one thing that I think will be very useful, as is how plants are classified.

Some field guides have some of this info, but I often feel it's added as a bit of an afterthought, most seem to assume the reader will already be familiar with all the nomenclature in the book.

I've ordered a copy - I hope you're on commission!

Regards, Audrey.

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by earthdragon64

....I've ordered a copy....

I think you will find that there's some very interesting & helpful info in there.

Originally Posted by earthdragon64

....I hope you're on commission!....

Wish I was. - I think this little book should sell very well.

Regards,
Mike.