A world history of citrus, from the art of antiquity to the science of the modern era.
Citrus traces the history of today's global superfood from its cultivation in the ancient world from just a handful of original wild species, via Arab trade routes, the noble collectors of medieval Europe, imperial conquerors on the high seas, and merchants betting on the highest-value fruit crop ever known.
The story of citrus permeates human history, as recorded in the literature and art of civilizations from antiquity to the present day. When Alexander the Great's army swept over the Persian Empire, they found the citron: the first citrus fruit known in the West. During the Napoleonic wars, British ships carried lemons and limes to protect their sailors against scurvy; the "Limeys" ruled the waves. As the citrus trade grew in importance in the nineteenth century, the Sicilian Mafia was established among citrus farmers, protecting their crops and their livelihoods.
Mandarin, citron, pomelo, bergamot, kumquat-a glorious abundance of citrus fruits has delighted and stimulated ancient thinkers and explorers, Arab geographers and scientists, European royalty, artists, physicians, and plant breeders. From the art of the Renaissance to modern advertising and graphic design, this richly illustrated, invigorating cultural history reveals how these extraordinary, life-giving fruits have flavored, scented, healed, and colored our world.
Après les succès de The Sick Rose, Crucial Interventions puis Anatomical Venus, cette série réalisée avec la Wellcome Collection se poursuit avec l'Histoire des soins dentaires de l'âge de bronze à aujourd'hui. L'auteur Richard Barnett y retrace la vie de nos bouches, des pinces médiévales pour arracheurs de dents aux affiches incitant les enfants des années 30 à l'hygiène buco-dentaire en passant par les premières prothèses, les planches anatomiques, les emballages arts déco des poudres et pâtes garantissant l'haleine fraîche, et l'importance du sourire chez les stars hollywoodiennes des années 50.
'Cyborg', from the Greek for 'steersman' combined with 'organism', was coined in the mid-20th century to describe the new human who would be required for space travel - enhanced by mechanical, chemical or electronic means, he or she would be half-human, half-machine. This excitingly-illustrated book discusses the astonishing changes in biotechnology that make the cyborg seem more science fact than science fiction. Soon we could all be Superman or Wonderwoman. What will this mean to us as individuals? How will it affect society? The author reminds us that the yearning for immortality and superpowers is as ancient as the human race; it's just that these now seem within our reach. We are guided on a journey through metamorphoses old and new, fictional and factual - from werewolves to genetic engineering, from Dr Frankenstein to a professor's arm controlled by another's thoughts, from the androids of science fiction to a real robot sensitive to human moods.
Did life on Earth arrive on a meteorite from outer space? Are there living beings on planets beyond our solar system? If they are out there, what might these aliens look like? Would they be smart, curious, scared? Would they even want to meet us?
Revealing the wonders of scientific inquiry, astrophysicist and best-selling author Lisa Harvey-Smith guides Earthlings young and old through our search for alien life. On the way, she considers where our best chances are to find any galactic neighbours; ponders whether they might already be living among us; and looks at what we might learn about aliens from life at Earth's extremes.
Asking all the important questions, answering some and explaining why others need further investigation, Aliens and Other Worlds explores the mystery of life beyond Earth. With illustrations by acclaimed artist Tracie Grimwood, this awe-inspiring journey will thrill anyone with eyes fixed on distant horizons.
