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The Plant Messiah
The Plant Messiah: Adventures in Search of the World's Rarest Species | Carlos Magdalena
19 posts | 11 read | 35 to read
An impassioned memoir of saving extraordinary plants on the brink of extinction, by a scientist who has been called a "codebreaker" (Telegraph) and "an inspiration" (Jane Goodall) Carlos Magdalena is not your average horticulturist. He's a man on a mission to save the world's most endangered plants. First captivated by the flora of his native Spain, he has travelled to the remotest parts of the globe in search of exotic species. Renowned for his pioneering work, he has committed his life to protecting plants from man-made ecological destruction and thieves hunting for wealthy collectors. In The Plant Messiah, Magdalena takes readers from the Amazon to the jungles of Mauritius to deep within the Australian Outback in search of the rare and the vulnerable. Back in the lab, we watch as he develops groundbreaking, left-field techniques for rescuing species from extinction, encouraging them to propagate and thrive once again. Along the way, he offers moving, heartfelt stories about the secrets contained within these incredible organisms. Passionate and absorbing, The Plant Messiah is a tribute to the diversity of life on our planet, and the importance of preserving it. *Featuring 16 pages of color photos*
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LauraBrook
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Just started this book this morning and I‘m loving it so far. Learning about both plants and the authors life is equally fascinating. So happy I picked it up thanks to two of my booktube friends and their reading group, The Book Naturalists.

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Ang203l
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Sunday nights pick!

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tenar
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Mehso-so

I‘m loath to rate this book So-So when its mission is so admirable - to wake us up to the wonder of plant life and the devastation plants are facing globally. Magdelena & his methods for saving species are fascinating, as are his rescue missions to Peruvian deserts and Australian rainforests. But the (ghost)writing is without artistry and the parade of anecdotes only vaguely grouped. It read like a stack of articles. #DoubleSpin #ScienceSeptember

TheAromaofBooks Ack, I hate it when a nonfiction book has an engaging premise & a poor follow-through. 4y
tenar @TheAromaofBooks Yeah! Even the intro and epilogue promised something more and seemed like they were sandwiched around the wrong book. I still learned a lot and had some adventures, though! 4y
13 likes2 comments
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Crazeedi
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#INTEGRATEYOURSHELF
#ScienceSeptember
@ChasingOm @Emilymdxn
The top two I've read
The middle two are current reads
The bottom two on tbr shelf

ChasingOm Ooh, how is the tagged book? It sounds like something my stepmom might like for her birthday! 4y
61 likes1 stack add1 comment
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MegCaldwell
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Pickpick

Loved! This book was so fast passed and fascinating. I feel like I‘ve been missing out on the magic of plants and am ready to become a messiah too!

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DebinHawaii
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#7days7covers #covercrush #Day4
I have the cover on the left, but I really like them both. 🌿💚

readordierachel Love the colors! 5y
73 likes1 comment
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glitterkitty459
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🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I'm so glad some people are trying to save the world's endangered plants 🌷🌺🌸🌱🌴
I also really want to visit The Kew gardens now, where the author works!

Pic featuring my first ever crochet blanket. It didn't turn out perfect, but I love it anyway 😊

#nonfiction

kgriffith Nice work! 6y
PurpleyPumpkin Your blanket is beautiful. Great job!👍🏽 6y
monalyisha @glitterkitty I love it, too! 6y
See All 6 Comments
SW-T Love the blanket! Got to see Kew Gardens a few years ago. Amazing! Hope you manage to visit 😊 Tagged book sounds interesting; have to check it out! 6y
Briary Love your blanket! And the book sounds awesome too 📚📚📚 Into the TBR it goes 😁 6y
83 likes5 stack adds6 comments
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glitterkitty459
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#Librarybookhaul !!! post 2 of 2
Some #nonfiction and #graphicnovels 😁

sarahbarnes Persepolis is fantastic! 6y
teaa41 Persepolis is one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it! 6y
greenhairdontcare This One Summer is excellent! 6y
106 likes3 comments
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BookishMarginalia
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#CurrentlyListening this terrific memoir about the conservation of endangered plants. Enthralling! #ImmersionReading

105 likes5 stack adds
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BookishMarginalia
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Some of my current library books. I‘m trying to decide which to read today. 🤓

128 likes3 comments
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Redwritinghood
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Pickpick

The author of this book is a botanist at Kew Gardens who specializes in tropical plants. He details his experiences in various tropical regions to explore and attempt to save indigenous plant life of these areas. The writing is not always great, but his passion for his subject shines through. His knowledge, commitment to preserving biodiversity, and uncanny intuition in working with plant life is admirable and inspiring. 3⭐️

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Linsy
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Pickpick

I got this on NetGalley, but forgot to download it in time, so I tracked it down on audio. I‘m so glad I did!

This book was incredible!!! With Magdalena‘s intricate descriptions of plants, it doesn‘t need pictures. I could see the lilies and landscapes in striking detail. This book is a work of art, as well as a reminder about the importance of plants. It‘s our job to ensure their survival.

#13inthree #bookreview #review #netgalley #arc

85 likes2 stack adds
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DebinHawaii
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#ReadingResolutions #ColorfulCover

I still think this is my favorite and one of the most colorful covers that I've seen lately. 💚🌺🌿🌸💚I am happy that I was able to extend my hold on this one. I need to read more of it!
So many books, so little time! 📚📚📚😬📚📚

laurenlovesliterature LOVE this cover! 7y
batsy Gorgeous cover! 7y
Kalalalatja Pretty! 7y
86 likes1 stack add3 comments
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DebinHawaii
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#ReadingResolutions #CoolCover ??
OK, I posted this cool cover the other day when it compelled me to pick up the book from the library's new book shelves. I can't stop looking at it--the color & design are so cool.
With my dinner & blog post--Eric Ripert's Seared Salmon with Sautéed Pea Shoots (& peas) & Ginger-Soy Vinaigrette. Quick & delicious served over brown rice. Even better-leftover rice, salmon & peas mean stir-fry this weekend. ?

DebinHawaii Here's a link to the blog post & recipe with a few changes from the original: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/2018/05/eric-riperts-seared-salmon-sauteed-pe... 7y
108 likes1 stack add1 comment
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DreesReads
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Not the best month, but I also caught up with an annual read. Favorite book this month is tagged.

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DebinHawaii
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"My mission is to make you aware of exactly how important plants are; in fact, I am obsessed with this idea. I want to tell you all about them and what they do for us, how crucial they are for our survival, and why we should save them."

Returned a book to the library & this one grabbed me with its gorgeous cover, clever title & subject matter. Magdalena's #purpose is to protect plants from extinction & teach the world about them.?
#QuotsyMay18

DebinHawaii Also he has a blurb from Jane Goodall 😍and I think it will be my pick for #Booked2018 Reading Challenge's #FlowersOrSwordOnCover 🌺 7y
emilyhaldi Obsessed with this cover 😍 7y
DebinHawaii @emilyhaldi I know! Even under the library plastic it's just so striking. And I love when I'm the first person to check out a book.🤗💚 7y
Cinfhen Love the cover 7y
91 likes7 stack adds4 comments
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DreesReads
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Pickpick

Finished my first book from #netgalley and it was great! Magdalena is a rare plant specialist at Kew Gardens in England—he searches out, collects cutting and seeds, and works on germination and growth processes for raising rare plants. He also works with conservationists and residents around the world to raise and reintroduce such species into the wild. Everything from great adventure to the frustrations and boredom of lab work is in here.

DreesReads And look at that gorgeous book cover! Not quite the same on my kindle. #conservation #botany #adventure #kewgardens #horticulture (edited) 7y
37 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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DreesReads
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I started this today while waiting at school pickup. I‘m now 21% in, it is so good! Also, I want this guy‘s job.

27 likes4 stack adds
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Maude
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Pickpick

Great memoir for anyone interested in botany and/or plant conservation.

Dolly Is there a plot? 7y
Maude He starts with his childhood in Spain and his reasons for wanting to preserve native environments and progresses through his career, looking for and striving to save endangered plants. 7y
17 likes1 stack add2 comments