With a sound basis in science, Grissell explains the role of insects in garden ecology.
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Professional entomologist and amateur gardener Eric Grissell suggests that it might be time to declare a truce with the insects in our lives. With a sound basis in science and a practical grounding in gardening experience, Grissell introduces the reader to the role of insects in garden ecology. His insightful account of insect biology is supported by gorgeous photographs, which reveal a captivating beauty and illustrate the vital interdependence between insects and plants. Now available in paperback, this book will be loved by anyone seeking a greater appreciation and understanding of these often-maligned garden visitors.
345 pp, 150 x 230 mm, 106 colour photos, 1 colour chart, paperback
ISBN13 9780881927689
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Media Reviews
Grissell's text is complemented by captivating colour photographs which reveal the beauty and vital energy that insects bring to the garden. Even the most 'bug-hating' gardener cannot fail to be moved by some of Carll Goodpasture's colourful images.
With a captivating blend of humor and candor, this research entomologist describes in detail the insect orders residing in our gardens and their habits. Goodpasture’s fine photographs befit Grissell’s effervescent treatise.
Engaging . . . The accompanying close-ups of insects and other creatures and other photographs are beautifully composed and illustrate the text well. . . . Highly recommended for all gardening collections.
A fascinating book filled with useful information, Insects and Gardens is illustrated with over 100 exceptional color photographs by Carll Goodpasture that offer close-up views of a diversity of insects. A book that can be enjoyed from cover to cover, it also reads nicely as a pick up, put down, read again sort of volume.
Insects and Gardens provides science readers with an excellent survey. Highly recommended.
As a research entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and an avid gardener, [Eric Grissell] certainly knows the subject. Even better, he has a gift for presenting scientific ideas in an engaging and understandable way.
Seeks to explain the vital role insects play in every garden ecosystem.
As gardeners we may be surprised to discover the hidden wonders of the insect world when we invite them into our gardens. Phenomenal close-up photographs.
Entertaining and enlightening. . . . I highly recommend Insects and Gardens, which is a recipient of the American Horticultural Society’s Book Award for 2002. . . . Grissell’s lifelong fascination with the insect world is contagious and the magnificent color photographs by Carll Goodpasture perfectly illustrate the author's concepts. . . . I give this book two antennae up!
The author approaches his subject with humor and childlike fascination at the complexity and diversity of the insect world. . . . Highly recommended.
The photographs for this book are so spectacular that 34 of them are traveling throughout the USA in a Smithsonian Museum exhibit. If you can tear yourself away from the fascinating photographs, you will find that the well-written text is riveting. Buy this book. You'll love it.
Eric Grissell's charming sense of humor and engaging prose, and Carll Goodpasture's amazing photographs make this an excellent basic reference on insects of all ecologically minded gardeners. . . . Most people—even gardeners, don't know the second thing about insects, and for that reason alone this book is to be highly recommended: it makes learning about insects a pleasure.
Eric Grissell escorts us on a fascinating journey through the little recognized work of our garden's ecology. Through this down-to-earth text, and Carll Goodpasture's remarkable and well-captioned photographs, the world of insect biology and the role of insects in our garden's ecology emerge as a solid part of our daily gardening experience.
Never have I been more surprised to fall in love with a book. . . . This well-written book has done more to increase my joy in the garden than others I've read.
Once in a very great while, art and science unite to produce a work that is one-third natural history, one-third philosophy, and one-third poetry. Think of Thoreau's 'Walden,' Rachel Carson's 'The Sea Around Us' and the canticle Beneddicite omnia opera Domini domino. . . . To this list I would add Insects and Gardens: In Pursuit of a Garden Ecology.
Sensible and humane . . . Readers will be entertained and informed by Grissell's effort. . . . Carll Goodpasture's photographs are the perfect complement to the text, presenting the insect world as we have never seen it.
It is obvious that the author both respects and admires insects of all kinds. . . . Insects and Gardens is well-written, thought-provoking and profusely illustrated. . . . [It] deserves to be read by anyone interested in gardens, insects or both.
I had only to leaf through the pages to see the most extraordinary color photographs of insects I have ever seen.
Offers much that good gardeners should ponder over.
In an entertaining fashion, Grissell gently steers the reader toward a better understanding of the meshing of all facets of nature in a well-planned garden.
The award-winning book by Eric Grissell with his remarkable sense of humor, together with award-winning fantabulous photography by Carll Goodpasture . . . should change the way you think about insects, bugs, creepy crawlers or whatever. Or, at least get you to think about insects and how they relate as an essential part of a garden's structure.
An impressive book, interestingly written and superbly illustrated.
Every gardener or anyone who has a garden can easily read and should read this book. I am sure much less pesticides will be used with the help of this book.
Carll Goodpasture's fascinating photographs show readers the world—from an insect's point of view.
Insects and Gardens explores the vital role that insects play in every garden's ecosystem. . . . Remarkable color photographs reveal the surprising beauty and vital energy that insects bring to the garden.
With the understandable text and awesome photographs, Insects and Gardens is an excellent reference book.
More than 100 images by photographer Carl Goodpasture work hand-in-hand with the text to share the beauty and energy that insects bring to the garden.
With droll humor and a friendly style, Grissell puts his subjects back in the garden (with the help of many intimate, colorful portraits) and invites us to come on in, get friendly and take the big view.
I love this book. I love this book. I love this book. and by the way, I love this book. Eric Griselle...has communicated his love of insects...he believes they belong in the garden and the less we do toward interfering with them the healthier and better functioning our gardens will be.
This is not a handbook on how to recognize and eliminate insect pests, but a thoughtful exploration of the vital role insects play in every garden ecosystem.