Scan barcode
lainie's review against another edition
5.0
Eric Hansen’s observations of orchid fever are insightful and hilarious. The book is entertaining, a very easy read. Also appreciated the examination of botany imperialism by Kew Gardens.
sheemsinbk's review against another edition
2.0
started out flat but eventually, after over 100 pages, he pulled all the threads together and started to dig in to his subject matter. interesting but, ultimately, i didn't find it as compelling as I thought I would.
pandemoniumpizza's review against another edition
3.0
I was expecting this book to be more about the orchids themselves but it was actually more a out the people who collect and trade and sell orchids. It seems as though there is quite a lot of people who are interested in orchids and in some cases it can be a very lucrative business but there are also a lot of people who are criminally charged for not having the right paperwork etc. Anyway, I learned quite a bit about the orchid trading business. I enjoyed reading this book.
kathleenitpdx's review against another edition
3.0
A lot of interesting information and interesting characters that inhabit the world of orchids. Hansen conveys the information in short, tidy chapters from his personal experiences and interviews. This is a clear example of unintended consequences of rule making. I haven't been able to figure out if anything has changed since this book was published in 2000.
Hansen sometimes reaches a little too hard for a laugh.
Hansen sometimes reaches a little too hard for a laugh.
cspiwak's review against another edition
4.0
I love books that combine crime & nature and this one does so nearly flawlessly.
It is entertaining throughout, with tales of colorful characters in the orchid world. While I know CITE's and the fish & wildlife service have their faults, I thought a journalist would have given a more balanced view, but all in all an informative and entertaining read
It is entertaining throughout, with tales of colorful characters in the orchid world. While I know CITE's and the fish & wildlife service have their faults, I thought a journalist would have given a more balanced view, but all in all an informative and entertaining read
meeralee's review against another edition
2.0
Global orchid politics are fascinating! This was a fun read, and I was happy to have picked it up at the Friends bookstore in the library. There's nothing really wrong with it except that each chapter is a bit magaziney, and I think I would have enjoyed having more of a larger structure to organize all the (very) interesting facts you learn. Maybe a bit more science, too.
More...