"The Book for Cider Lovers"--New York Times Today, food is being reconsidered. It's a front-and-center topic in everything from politics to art, from science to economics. We know now that leaving food to government and industry specialists was one of the twentieth century's greatest mistakes. The question is where do we go from here. Author Andy Brennan describes uncultivation as a process: It involves exploring the wild; recognizing that much of nature is omitted from our conventional ways of seeing and doing things (our cultivations); and realizing the advantages to embracing what we've somehow forgotten or ignored. For most of us this process can be difficult, like swimming against the strong current of our modern culture. The hero of this book is the wild apple. Uncultivated follows Brennan's twenty-four-year history with naturalized trees and shows how they have guided him toward successes in agriculture, in the art of cider making, and in creating a small-farm business. The book contains useful information relevant to those particular fields, but is designed to connect the wild to a far greater audience, skillfully blending cultural criticism with a food activist's agenda. Apples rank among the most manipulated crops in the world, because not only do farmers want perfect fruit, they also assume the health of the tree depends on human intervention. Yet wild trees live all around us, and left to their own devices, they achieve different forms of success that modernity fails to apprehend. Andy Brennan learned of the health and taste advantages of such trees, and by emulating nature in his orchard (and in his cider) he has also enjoyed environmental and financial benefits. None of this would be possible by following today's prevailing winds of apple cultivation. In all fields, our cultural perspective is limited by a parallel proclivity. It's not just agriculture: we all must fight tendencies toward specialization, efficiency, linear thought, and predetermined growth. We have cultivated those tendencies at the exclusion of nature's full range. If Uncultivated is about faith in nature, and the power it has to deliver us from our own mistakes, then wild apple trees have already shown us the way.

Written with the non-specialist in mind, this guide is a must-have for flower lovers, hikers, tour guides and tourists – anyone interested in identifying the wild flowers that grace the Cape Peninsula.

Wild Flowers of the Cape Peninsula covers the most remarkable and commonly seen wild flowers of Table Mountain, Silvermine and Cape Point. The book was originally published as Common Wild Flowers of Table Mountain in 2007, then revised in 2013 to include the flowers of Silvermine.

This new edition offers:

• 360 (previously 208) of the region’s most remarkable and commonly seen wild flowers
• Clear photographs of all featured flowers and concise, informative text
• Flowers grouped according to colour, to help with quick ID
• Walking routes in the Peninsula’s famed reserves, plotted on 3 clear maps
• Illustrated glossary of terms

Fill your home with gorgeous flowers every day with this beautifully designed book. The Flower Garden brings to life over 50 varieties of flower with exquisite botanical illustrations. The innovative paper design allows you to press each illustration out of the page, transforming your book into a lovely object for you to display. Sunflowers, lilies, frangipani and birds of paradise are brought into your home and described in lyrical detail by botanist Michael Scott. This stunning bunch of blooms is the perfect gift for any lover of flowers to treasure for years to come. To see how your Paperscapes book transforms, check out the video below (just above the reviews) or have a look at the Paperscapes author page.

Sasol First Field Guide to Wild Flowers of Southern Africa provides fascinating insight into the wild flowers of the region.

With the help of full-colour photo graphs and easy-to-read text, the beginner and budding naturalist will be able to identify the more common wild flowers that grow in southern Africa, discover where they are found, and learn about their unique features.

Washington, D.C., boasts more than three hundred species of trees from America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, and City of Trees has been the authoritative guide for locating, identifying, and learning about them for more than twenty-five years. The third edition is fully revised, updated, and expanded and includes an eloquent new foreword by the "Washington Post"'s garden editor, Adrian Higgins.

In the introduction, Choukas-Bradley describes the efforts of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and other prominent Washingtonians who helped the nation's capital evolve into the "City of Trees," a moniker regaining popularity thanks to present-day efforts encouraging citizen participation in tree planting and maintenance.

Part 1 gives the reader a guided tour of the nation's capital, highlighting historic and rare trees of the urban canopy. Part 2 is a comprehensive, simply worded, and fully illustrated botanical guide to the magnificent trees of the nation's capital and surroundings. The guide also includes botanical keys, an illustrated glossary, exquisite pen-and-ink drawings by Polly Alexander, and color close-up photographs of flowering trees, many by the nationally acclaimed photographer Susan A. Roth.

What to look for in the new edition:

* Added locations: the FDR Memorial; the Smithsonian Institution gardens; the Tudor Place grounds; the Bishop's Garden of the Washington National Cathedral; Audubon Naturalist Society sanctuaries; and much more.

* "City of Trees" history from 1987 to 2007, including the establishment of Casey Trees and the importance of the urban canopy in the twenty-first century.

* Twice as many pages of color photographs, new species descriptions and illustrations, and added habitat information.

"Published in association with the Center for American Places"

Hierdie omvattend uitgebreide, hersiene uitgawe van die beste verkoper onder boom-veldgidse vir die streek bied veel meer as die hoogs suksesvolle eerste uitgawe. Volledig bygewerkte teks (insluitend bykomende spesie-inskrywings) en verspreidingskaarte, talle nuwe foto’s en ’n nuwe seksie van 87 bladsye met foto’s van die hele boom maak dié gewilde gids nog meer noodsaaklik in die veld.

Suider-Afrika het ’n ryk verskeidenheid bome, met sowat 2 100 inheemse en meer as 100 genaturaliseerde uitheemse spesies. Veldgids tot Bome van Suider-Afrika beskryf en illustreer meer as 1 000 hiervan, met die klem op die algemeenste bome en dié wat waarskynlik die meeste teëgekom word. Spesies is op grond van maklik waarneembare blaar- en stingelkenmerke logies in 43 groepe gerangskik, elke inskrywing met volkleurfoto’s van die diagnostiese dele van die plant. Praktiese gebruike van die plante word ook genoem.

Out of all the trees in the world, the ash is most closely bound up with who we are: the tree we have made the greatest and most varied use of over the course of human history. One frigid winter morning, Robert Penn lovingly selected an ash tree and cut it down. He wanted to see how many beautiful, handmade objects could be made from it. Thus begins an adventure of craftsmanship and discovery. Penn visits the shops of modern-day woodworkers-whose expertise has been handed down through generations-and finds that ancient woodworking techniques are far from dead. He introduces artisans who create a flawless axe handle, a rugged and true wagon wheel, a deadly bow and arrow, an Olympic-grade toboggan, and many other handmade objects using their knowledge of ash's unique properties. Penn connects our daily lives back to the natural woodlands that once dominated our landscapes. Throughout his travels-from his home in Wales, across Europe, and America-Penn makes a case for the continued and better use of the ash tree as a sustainable resource and reveals some of the dire threats to our ash trees. The emerald ash borer, a voracious and destructive beetle, has killed tens of millions of ash trees across North America since 2002. Unless we are prepared to act now and better value our trees, Penn argues, the ash tree and its many magnificent contributions to mankind will become a thing of the past. This exuberant tale of nature, human ingenuity, and the pleasure of making things by hand chronicles how the urge to understand and appreciate trees still runs through us all like grain through wood.

This invaluable book provides an illustrated ecology of eastern seashore habitats, including the ocean and continental shelf, the intertidal zone, sand dunes and beaches, and salt marshes. Donald D. Cox uses nontechnical terminology in order to provide clear references for the general public as well as professional and amateur naturalists and students. He explores the origins of the oceans, tides, wind belts, and land plants and includes useful illustrations for aid in identification. Most significantly, this guide brings together a wide range of information relative to ocean and seashore ecosystems. Cox includes the types of plants that grow near the seashore; adaptations that help plants survive in seashore habitats; poisonous, medicinal, and edible plants of the ocean and seashore; seasonal changes in the seashore habitat; and methods of naming plants and the folklore of common names. The author also provides complete and accurate details for those readers who are interested in collecting plants and preserving plant collections. The final chapter offers non-technical investigations, activities, and projects. Conservation and habitat preservation are emphasized throughout the book.

Southern Africa has possibly the most beautiful and diverse floral kingdom in the world, but it is also the most polluted and threatened. Agricultural production is under threat from both indigenous and alien weeds and our entire ecosystem is now being seriously threatened by these alien, invasive species. Awareness of these weeds, the regulations involved and possible control measures have become critical factors. Things change in time, more weeds appear and the scope of this edition is extended up into more Central Africa. This then initiated the fourth revised and updated edition, titled Problem Plants and Alien Weeds of Southern Africa.

AMAZING FEATURES
The contents cover more than 800 problem plants of which 433 species are illustrated and their origin, environmental impact and control measures are described. Similar species are mentioned.
More than 900 colour photographs assist with identification, create more awareness and illustrate the problematic nature of plants.
Up-to-date distribution maps show the range in Southern Africa.
The existence of a herbicide registration (in South Africa) is indicated with “H” where applicable, and the latest government regulations (NEMBA categories: 1a, 1b, 2 and 3), as well as biological control, where applicable, are mentioned next to the distribution map.
Introductory chapters cover biodiversity and the threat of alien species; problematic indigenous vegetation including bush encroachment; veld degradation; control and management techniques; biological control; chemical weed control; herbicide resistance, and the threat posed by ornamental garden plants.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Clive Bromilow holds a degree in Applied Biology with a major in Ecology. He has been involved in the agricultural chemical industry all over the world for over 40 years and this has led to a lifelong interest in plants and weeds. His first book Problem Plants of South Africa was published in 1995 and was a huge success. This edition and the subsequent three revised editions were very successful and became reference books on the subject throughout Southern Africa and indeed the world.

Featuring 60 superb color plates, this is an easy-to-use photographic identification guide to the 51 orchid species native to Britain and Ireland, including their various forms, and 9 species of uncertain provenance. The text includes key identification information, flowering and germination times, and differences between similar species and subspecies. Color distribution maps show where each species has been seen in the past 25 years, while the accompanying text indicates its current location. It is a comprehensive photographic guide to the orchids of Britain and Ireland, covering the 51 species recorded, including all the varieties and subspecies, as well as 9 species of uncertain or doubtful provenance. It contains 60 stunning color plates that show the whole plant and close-up views of flower spikes and individual florets. Each species account covers the identification of the plant, highlighting potentially confusing species. Where appropriate, details are given of the hybrids recorded and a summary of the taxonomic status. The species accounts also include information on habitat requirements, pollination, and conservation. Color distribution maps and a summary of the flowering period(s) accompany the text for each species. Additional illustrated sections cover orchid biology and ecology, protection, conservation, and hybrids. The innovative, easy-to-use format aims to help the orchid enthusiast, whether beginner or expert, to identify any species they encounter.

Wildflowers of New York in Color is a field guide that will give nature enthusiasts instant access to the diverse and beautiful flora of the state. It contains over 350 photographs and concise descriptions, written in easy-to-follow, non-technical language. The color illustrations have been selected for their scientific accuracy as well as their aesthetic quality. This field guide is keyed in a manner that easily leads the reader to major groups based on flower color and other physical characteristics. Wildflowers of New York in Color contains descriptions of both commonly encountered and rarer, protected species. Included are color illustrations and descriptions of species not seen in other field guides. Nomenclature has been updated to reflect current usage.

Sasol Eerste Veldgids tot Bome van Suider-Afrika bied ’n fassinerende blik op die bome van die subkontinent. Met behulp van volkleurfoto's en verspreidingskaarte, asook maklik leesbare teks, sal die beginner en ontluikende natuurliefhebber die meer algemene bome in Suider-Afrika kan identifiseer, kan vasstel waar hulle groei, en meer te wete kom oor hul unieke eienskappe.

Sasol First Field Guide to Aloes of Southern Africa provides fascinating insight into the aloes of the region.

Full-colour photographs , distribution maps and easy-to-read text will help the budding naturalist to identify the more common aloes found in southern African gardens and landscapes, discover where they occur, and learn about their unique features.

A field guide for the wildflowers of the Texas High Plains. 141 color photographs and descriptions, glossary of terms, and key to the various flower families.

Die eerste volledige streekgids oor die inheemse bome wat in die Magaliesberg voorkom.
Beskrywing van meer as 170 spesies inheemse bome wat in die Magaliesberg voorkom georden volgens FSA-nommer
Familie- en genusbekrywings van die boomspesies
Oorsprong en verklaring van wetenskaplike name en die beskermingstatus van bome
Afrikaanse streekname wat 'n ryk taal- en kultuurerfenis verteenwoordig
Boomname in Afrikaans, Engels en / of in Setswana of isiZulu
Meer as 350 kleurfoto's
Interessante boomstories, ekologiese inligting en allerlei nuttige praktiese wenke oor die gebruik en aanwending van inheemse bome
Opgedateerde wetenskaplike en gewone name

An essential guide to every species of tree found in the British Isles outside of arboretums This easy-to-use guide covers the 360 species of tree that are found in Britain & Ireland. Each species is covered in detail with information on how to identify, whether from a leaf, twig, bark or whole tree, plus extra information on where the tree grows (including a map), how high they grow, what uses the tree is used for and its unique history. Every species is also comprehensively illustrated with photographs of every useful feature - bark, leaf, seed, flower, twig and whole tree. Sample identification section: Silver Birch Betula pendula (Betulaceae) height to 26m A slender, fast-growing deciduous tree with a narrow, tapering crown when young and growing vigorously. Older trees acquire a weeping habit, especially if growing in an open, uncrowded situation.

Benut ons Inheemse Bome is ongetwyfeld die nuttigste en mees praktiese boek wat oor die onderwerp in Suid-Afrika gepubliseer is.
Hierdie derde en hersiene uitgawe bevat 22 meer boomspesies. Die 163 boomsoorte is alfabeties volgens botaniese naam gerangskik, met meer as 850 volkleur foto’s geïllustreer en volledig bespreek.
Die volgende inligting is vir elke boomsoort ingesluit:
'n Inleidende afdeling oor die kweek van bome deur saad, steggies en stamsteggies.
'n Volledige spesiebeskrywing, kenmerke waaraan die boom uitgeken kan word, blom- en dratye, natuurlike verspreiding en habitat.
Die ekologiese rol en benutting deur soogdiere, voëls en insekte.
Ekonomiese waarde en gebruik deur die mens in tuine, op plase en elders as ’n bron van voedsel, vesel en medikasie.
Eienskappe van die hout en benutting daarvan deur die mens.
Duidelike riglyne oor die ent en kweek van elke boomsoort.
'n Kaart wat die natuurlike verspreiding van elke boomsoort aandui.
Meer as 850 volkleur foto’s wat met sorg uitgesoek is om die teks te komplementeer en te illustreer.
Die boek bevat ’n tabel wat boombenutting deur diere, voëls en insekte saamvat, bronverwysings en ’n indeks van algemene en botaniese name.
Hierdie waardevolle inheemse boomgids behoort die naslaan- en gebruiksbron te wees van elke tuinier, boer, natuurliefhebber, boomkweker, bosbouer en natuurbewaarder – trouens enigeen met ’n liefde en waardering vir bome.

Ook in Engels beskikbaar: Making the Most of Indigenous Trees

This is a comprehensive field guide to the milk mushrooms of North America. Featuring over 150 species and varieties, this volume includes detailed descriptions and more than 250 rich color photographs. The photographs were selected for high-quality color fidelity, documentary merit, and aesthetic appeal of the subject. The number of species described and illustrated in color, some for the very first time, is substantially more than has previously appeared in any other single work devoted to the milk mushrooms of North America. With accurate, detailed, and easy-to-follow descriptions, this volume is ideally suited for both amateur mushroom enthusiasts and professional mycologists. In addition to the descriptions and illustrations, it includes sections devoted to the features and process of identification, to the ecology of milk mushrooms, and to the edibility of members of the genus Lactarius. Additional sections for species related to Lactarius and hyperparasites of the genus are included in this field guide.

Wildflowers of the Coastal Plain provides detailed information on 535 species of herbaceous plants, vines, and shrubs inhabiting one of the great floristic provinces of the United States. The coastal plain extends from southeast Texas eastward to Florida and includes the Mississippi River flood plain, which stretches from southern Illinois to the Gulf of Mexico. It embraces all but the southern tip of the Florida peninsula and proceeds up the eastern seaboard into southern New Jersey and includes parts of Long Island and Cape Cod. In this indispensable guide, botanist Ray Neyland catalogs the native flora, as well as the naturalized species found throughout the far-flung but unified coastal plain.

Each illuminating entry includes a vivid color photograph of the wildflower in its natural setting, the plant's scientific and common names, and a precise description of the species, including its range and blooming time. Some entries describe modern and historical applications for the plants -- such as use by Native Americans for food or medicine -- and mention closely related species to prevent confusion in identification. The volume's simplified glossary and a series of line drawings explain essential botanical terms. Dichotomous keys facilitate a helpful step-by-step identification method, allowing readers to begin with what they know -- a flower's color -- and then follow a process of elimination (Is the plant aquatic or not? Are the leaves fan shaped or linear?).

A sturdy, flexible cover makes this guide the perfect companion on outdoor excursions. With its beautiful color photographs, instructive descriptions, and wide-ranging geographic scope, Wildflowers of the Coastal Plain is an integral reference for every nature lover.

Harde band, meer as 400 volkleurfoto's

Ook beskikbaar in Engels - Guide to the Aloes of South Africa

Gids tot die Aalwyne van Suid-Afrika is die eerste volledige en moderne aalwyngids in Afrikaans. Dit is 'n volkleur-handleiding en die hoë gehalte foto's maak dit vir die algemene belangstellende sowel as die wetenskaplike maklik om aalwyne in die natuur en in tuine te identifiseer. Die inhoud weerspieël die nuutste wetenskaplike bevindings en bevat:
Volledige beskrywings van al 155 spesies wat tans deur aalwynkenners erken word, met inligting oor kenmerke waarvolgens die plante geïdentifiseer kan word, blomtyd, habitat en geografiese verspreiding, bewaringstatus, oorsprong van die wetenskaplike name, en volksname, asook algemene riglyne vir die kweek van die plante, en inligting oor hul tradisionele gebruike.
Meer as 400 kleurfoto's wat die habitat en groeivorm aantoon, sowel as nabyfoto's van die blomme en blare.
Verspreidingskaarte van al die spesies, as 'n verdere hulpmiddel vir identifisering.
'n Gebruikersvriendelike klassifikasiestelsel wat die aalwyne in 12 groepe verdeel, hoofsaaklik aan die hand van hul groeivorms.
Inleidende hoofstukke wat die fokus plaas op aalwynagtige plante (wat met aalwyne verwar kan word); medisinale, kosmetiese en tonikumgebruike; bewaring; kweking en vermeerdering; tuinmaak en landskapontwerp met aalwyne; hibriede en kultivars, plae en siektes; en verwantskappe en genuskonsepte.
'n Geïllustreerde woordelys van plantkundige terme, indeks tot die wetenskaplike en volksname, asook 'n literatuurlys vir verdere leeswerk.

Die outeurs: Ben-Erik van Wyk is 'n professor in Plantkunde aan die Universiteit van Johannesburg en het 'n navorsingsbelangstelling in plantsistematiek en plantbenutting. Hy is die skrywer van internasionale wetenskaplike topverkopers soos Medicinal Plants of the World en Food Plants of the World.
Gideon F. Smith is Hoofdirekteur van Biosistematiek en Versamelings by die Suid- Afrikaanse Nasionale Biodiversiteitsinstituut, professor in Plantwetenskap aan die Universiteit van Pretoria, en 'n navorsingsgenoot aan die Universiteit van Coimbra in Portugal. Hy is die skrywer of medeskrywer van meer as 40 boeke oor onder meer aalwyne, sukkulente, tuinbou, tuine, Angola, taksonomie en indringerplante.

Sagteblad, volkleur, 900 fotos, verspreidingskaarte
(Ook beskikbaar in Engels Photo Guide to the Wildflowers of South Africa)

Suid-Afrika het 'n ryk flora van nagenoeg 19 000 verskillende spesies blomplante. Heelwat hiervan, veral proteas, gerberas, bloulelies en clivias, is vandag internasionaal bekend, terwyl die helderkleurige blomme van freesias, nerinas, sparaxis en tjienkerientjees gunstelinge in tuine regoor die wêreld geword het. Duisende besoekers word elke jaar na die skouspel van lenteblomme in Namakwaland en die Wes-Kaap gelok. Vir dié wat meer van Suid-Afrika se veldblomme wil weet, hou hierdie rykdom sy eie probleme in. Die meeste veldblomgidse dek nie veel meer as net klein dele van die land nie en die ander sluit weer te min spesies in om van veel waarde te wees.

Fotogids tot die Veldblomme van Suid-Afrika is daarop gemik om hierdie tekortkominge uit die weg te ruim. Met sorg saamgestel om dié veldblomme in te sluit wat waarskynlik die meeste aandag sal trek, dek hierdie landwye gids byna 900 van die mees algemene en opvallendste veldblomme wat in Suid-Afrika en die buurlande Lesotho, Swaziland en Namibië voorkom. Die keuse van spesies is die resultaat van die skrywer se baie jare ervaring in die veld.

Die gebruiker-vriendelike formaat verdeel die land in drie hoof- veldblomstreke, Grasveld en Savanne, Fynbos en Namakwaland, met die spesies in elke streek gegroepeer. 'n Kitsgids verminder die opsies met een oogopslag. Elke spesie word geïllustreer en beskryf, met inligting oor die volksnaam en wetenskaplike naam, habitat, blomtye en plaaslike gebruike. Soortgelyke spesies word bymekaar geplaas om vergelyking te vergemaklik en verskille word kortliks uitgewys. Geskryf en geïllustreer deur professionele persone met wye ervaring van gidsboeke, is Veldblomme van Suid-Afrika die sleutel tot die ontsluiting van Suid-Afrika se veldblom-erfenis.

John Manning is 'n navorsingsplantkundige by die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Biodiversiteitinstituut in Kaapstad en is 'n internasionale kenner van die Iris- en Hiasint-families. Hy is outeur of mede-outeur van meer as 100 populêre en wetenskaplike publikasies asook nege veldblomgidse. Hy stel besonder daarin belang om Suid-Afrika se veldblomme aan die publiek bekend te stel en het sodoende bekendheid as 'n illustreerder en fotograaf van blomme verwerf.

Sagteband, 1 000 volkleurfoto's, verspreidingskaarte
Ook in Engels beskikbaar: Guide to the Grasses of southern Africa
Die grasfamilie, bekend as Poaceae, is waarskynlik die belangrikste plantfamilie op aarde. Grasse is die eerste voedselplante wat deur mense aangeplant is. Graangewasse soos mielies, koring, rys en suikerriet, almal grasse, is steeds ons belangrikste bron van energie. Gras, in die vorm van voer, is ook die belangrikste bron van kos vir vee en die groot kuddes grasvreters in die natuur.

Die akkurate identifikasie van grasse raak belangrik tydens veldbestuur aangesien grasse ten opsigte van hul weidingswaarde en ander ekologiese funksies verskil. Verder reageer verskillende onkruidgrasse anders op chemiese onkruiddoders en moet daarom akkuraat geidentifiseer word.

Hierdie boek, Gids tot Grasse van suider-Afrika, is die omvattendste volkleur identifikasiegids tot die algemene grasse in suider-Afrika en sluit onder meer die volgende kenmerke in:
Beskrywings en illustrasies van die 320 belangrikste grasse in suider-Afrika
'n Gebruikersvriendelike identifikasiesleutel
Meer as 1 000 uitstekende volkleurfoto's en illustrasies
Dertien kort en volledig geïllustreerde inleidende hoofstukke oor grasse
'n Naamlys van alle grasse in suider-Afrika
Algemene grasname in verskeie inheemse tale
Simbole wat die leser in staat stel om inligting met 'n oogopslag te bekom
DIE OUTEUR: Frits van Oudtshoorn se belangstelling in grasse, en in die natuur as geheel, het op 'n vroeë ouderdom op die plaas waar hy grootgeword het begin. Tans bestuur hy 'n besigheid genaamd Africa Land-Use Training en is betrokke by die aanbieding van verskeie kort kursusse in landbou en omgewingsake. Hy het 'n ywerige belangstelling in die volhoubare bestuur van natuurlike hulpbronne en beskik oor 'n meestersgraad in natuurbewaring.

The array of bottles is impressive, their contents finely tuned to varied tastes. But they all share the same roots in Mesoamerica's natural bounty and human culture. The drink is tequila--more properly, "mescal de tequila," the first mescal to be codified and recognized by its geographic origin and the only one known internationally by that name. In "ATequila! A Natural and Cultural History," Ana G. Valenzuela-Zapata, the leading agronomist in Mexico's tequila industry, and Gary Paul Nabhan, one of America's most respected ethnobotanists, plumb the myth of tequila as they introduce the natural history, economics, and cultural significance of the plants cultivated for its production. Valenzuela-Zapata and Nabhan take you into the agave fields of Mexico to convey their passion for the century plant and its popular by-product. In the labor-intensive business of producing quality mescal, the cultivation of "tequila azul" is maintained through traditional techniques passed down over generations. They tell how "jimadores" seek out the mature agaves, strip the leaves, and remove the heavy heads from the field; then they reveal how the roasting and fermentation process brings out the flavors that cosmopolitan palates crave. Today in Oaxaca it's not unusual to find small-scale mescal-makers vending their wares in the market plaza, while in Jalisco the scale of distillation facilities found near the town of Tequila would be unrecognizable to old JosA(c) Cuervo. Valenzuela-Zapata and Nabhan trace tequila's progress from its modest beginnings to one of the world's favored spirits, tell how innovations from cross-cultural exchanges made fortunes for Cuervo and other distillers, and explain howthe meteoric rise in tequila prices is due to an epidemic--one they predicted would occur--linked to the industry's cultivation of just one type of agave. The tequila industry today markets more than four hundred distinct products through a variety of strategies that heighten the liquor's mystique, and this book will educate readers about the grades of tequila, from blanco to aAejo, and marks of distinction for connoisseurs who pay up to two thousand dollars for a bottle. "ATequila! A Natural and Cultural History" will feed anyone's passion for the gift of the blue agave as it heightens their appreciation for its rich heritage.