Death in the Garden: Poisonous Plants and Their Use Throughout History

I did not realize that the plants were found In English gardens. After awhile a started skipping plants I had never heard of and likely never see.

I enjoyed this. Very interesting.

Well written and so interesting.

I liked that this book was just as advertised and the seller was great to work with.

In perfect condition. Very interesting histories of plants.

One of the best books on poisonous plants I ever had.

Whether you are a gardener or a history buff, you’ll love this nonfiction book about the poisonous plants we have feared, revered and misunderstood for thousands of years. Brown begins with the ancients, who used poisonous plants to stealthily dispatch enemies and moves on to the Middle Ages where kingdoms were often lost and won with the help of poison dispensed through food, drink and even clothing. Then in more modern times when people began to use plant based household products to murder and others to get rid of unwanted plants and pests, unaware they were also often dooming themselves. My biggest surprise was learning how many of my own plants were poisonous. I knew about foxglove and lily of the valley, but columbine and crocuses? Who knew? Brown provides a comprehensive list of poisonous plants likely found in our gardens, accompanied with gorgeous photos and a fascinating history of the plant, and its uses (and abuses). An absolute necessity for the home gardener, I know I’ve decided to plant my very own poison garden this summer. Thanks to Pen & Sword for the review copy

This is really interesting book, as a child we were always told not to touch this plant or that, it is good to know that there was some basis to the instruction. There is a full description of the plant including colour picture, and this is extremely helpful, living in Australia some of the plants have different common names.There are quite a lot of historical details in amongst the plant information which I found quite interesting. The beginning of the book proved a little slower and harder to get into being pure facts.I did enjoy the book, and now I did not think it was going to be a murder mystery, although I can see the link and why poisons where used in Golden Age writings.

This is such an awesome little book and has a very well deserved place in my home library. The information about harmful plants is clear and concise and there is lovely historic detail about the use of plants in the past. Each page has a good identifying coloured picture of the plant in question and there is a small table listing genus, species, other names and its active constituents which is good for pharmacology. My son who is a horticultural student has also been impressed with its easy to use format.For gardening and history enthusiasts this book is a must have. I highly recommend it.

Love this book it’s funny informative often gives bit of history as well as clear information on the plants and which bits are dangerous loved the bit about cannabis growing at police station a few red faces perhapsI would recommend this book

lots of info and plants you would never think of as poisonus that are in most peoples gardens

Arrived on time and I really like this book. Arrived well packaged.