{"product_id":"9780715338544","title":"Fifty Plants That Changed the Course of History","description":"\u003cb\u003eThe fascinating stories of the plants that changed civilizations.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e  \u003ci\u003eFifty Plants That Changed the Course of History\u003c\/i\u003e is a beautifully presented guide to the plants that have had the greatest impact on human civilization. Entries feature a description of the plant, its botanical name, its native range and its primary functions—edible, medicinal, commercial or practical. Concise text is highlighted by elegant botanical drawings, paintings and photographs as well as insightful quotes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e  Many of the plants are well known, such as rice, tea, cotton, rubber, wheat, sugarcane, tobacco, wine grapes and corn. However, there are also many whose stories are less known. These history-changing plants include:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAgave, used to make sisal, poison arrows, bullets, tequila and surgical thread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePineapple, which influenced the construction of greenhouses and conservatories\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHemp, used for hangman's rope, sustainable plastics, the Declaration of Independence and Levi's jeans\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCoconut, used for coir fiber, soap, margarine, cream, sterile IV drips and coagulants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEucalyptus, used in mouthwash, diuretics, vitamins, honey, underwear and fire-resistant uniforms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSweet pea, which Gregor Mendel used in his research on genetic heredity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite mulberry, used to make silk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnglish oak, used for fire-resistant structures, dyes, leather tanning, charcoal, casks and ships\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite willow, used in the manufacture of aspirin, cricket bats, hot-air balloon baskets and coffins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e  This attractive reference provides an innovative perspective on both botanical and human history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"David \u0026 Charles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43032580751421,"sku":"9780715338544","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0603\/0838\/9949\/files\/9780715338544_p0.jpg?v=1773089823","url":"https:\/\/www.tatteredcover.com\/products\/9780715338544","provider":"Tattered Cover","version":"1.0","type":"link"}