The fascinating and enlightening botany of the sacred texts.
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This book celebrates the plants of the Old Testament, New Testament and Quran. From acacia, the wood of the tabernacle, to wormwood, whose bitter leaves, as absinthe, flavour alcoholic drinks, 81 chapters cover the more than 100 plants in the holy texts that have true botanical counterparts. Fascinating stories of the fruits, grains, grasses, trees, flowers and fragrances include botanical characteristics, habitat, uses and literary context. Richly illustrated with extensive colour, this delightful ecumenical botany offers the welcome tonic of a deep look into an enduring, shared natural heritage.
Media Reviews
A promising title to try. ... A thorough, ethno-botanical tome.
This is a fun one. I'm always interested in plants that have literary and historic connections.
The enormous task of examining the diverse and sometimes speculative side of religious ethnobotany is well executed here. ... Appears to be the only work published to date to include both the Bible and the Quran.
Musselman's fascinating work includes not only the stories of ancient plants but also botanical characteristics, native environment, uses, and literary context. If you are looking for a serious approach to the subject of plants of the Bible, then this is the book.
A readable and relevant book for our times. For those gardening with the plants of the Mediterranean, the book will be a treasured resource.