Book Discussion "The Triumph of Seeds" by Thor Hanson

Our book for August is The Triumph of Seeds: How Grains, Nuts, Kernels, Pulses, & Pips Conquered the Plant Kingdom and Shaped Human History by American conservation biologist and author Thor Hanson.

From Amazon:
We live in a world of seeds. From our morning toast to the cotton in our clothes, they are quite literally the stuff and staff of life: supporting diets, economies, and civilizations around the globe. Just as the search for nutmeg and pepper drove the Age of Discovery, coffee beans fueled the Enlightenment and cottonseed sparked the Industrial Revolution. Seeds are fundamental objects of beauty, evolutionary wonders, and simple fascinations. Yet, despite their importance, seeds are often seen as commonplace, their extraordinary natural and human histories overlooked…A fascinating scientific [and historic] adventure, [this book] is essential reading for anyone who loves to see a plant grow.

“A fascinating, inspiring, and entertaining book…Hanson takes one of the least-impressive-looking natural objects and reveals a life of elegance and wonder.” – New York Times Book Review