Extraordinary Leaves - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1554073871 ISBN 13: 9781554073870

Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd, 2008

Synopsis

A stunning collaboration between a master nature photographer and a horticulturalist. Leaves are everywhere, appearing in an astonishing variety of shapes, colors and textures. They are the unappreciated gifts of nature, worthy of far more extensive study by all. Extraordinary Leaves is a celebration of one of nature's miracles. As Dennis Schrader explains: "To prepare this book, I have been obligated to take a more intimate look at all aspect of leaves -their many uses, their place in history, the science behind what's going on in a leaf and the unadulterated, simple beauty of the leaf itself." Photographer Stephen Green-Armytage discovered the beauty of leaves while browsing in a greenhouse. The more he looked at the intricate patterns, the more fascinated he became. His photography in this book is the result of years of study, and it is strikingly beautiful. Through words and images, Extraordinary Leaves provides an insightful tour. Topics include color, pattern, texture and shape. Among the specific plants covered are coleus, kale, caladium and ferns.

About this title

Review:

I had no idea that I would lust after a coffee-table book, but then I saw Extraordinary Leaves.--Marjorie Harris"National Post" (11/25/2008)

An artistic, mostly photographic celebration of the glorious diversity of leaf forms, shapes, colors and textures.--George Weigel"Patriot-News (Harrisburg PA)" (12/11/2008)

Leaves are one of nature's more underappreciated gits. The 225 color photographs displayed on these pages show them off in full glory with close-ups revealing their incredible diversity of shapes, colors and textures. Accompanying the photos is an insightfully written guide explaining the physical qualities, uses and science behind leaves.-- (12/01/2009)

"The photographs are attractive and interesting, and collectively, they present the diversity of plant leaves... This is a book suited for home coffee tables, for waiting rooms of businesses or hospitals, and for school and public libraries. It would also be useful in public schools as an example of the types of leaves that might be a part of a biology student's leaf collection assignment.... Often, a book reviewer finds the task onerous, but this was certainly not the case for Extraordinary Leaves.-- (04/01/2009)

Flowers get most of the attention in a garden, but it's the leaves that provide the setting for their grandeur. Their quiet beauty is showcased in this stunning collection of more than 225 close-up photographs with accompanying text....Soothing and artistic, this book will stand the test of time.-- (12/07/2008)

The photographs are attractive and interesting, and collectively, they present the diversity of plant leaves... This is a book suited for home coffee tables, for waiting rooms of businesses or hospitals, and for school and public libraries. It would also be useful in public schools as an example of the types of leaves that might be a part of a biology student's leaf collection assignment.... Often, a book reviewer finds the task onerous, but this was certainly not the case for Extraordinary Leaves.-- (04/01/2009)

Extraordinary Leaves will open your eyes to appreciate a world of beauty that you might never have stopped to look at before... Rich photographs of both common and exotic leaves on thick glossy pages paired with valuable horticultural text... This unusual collaboration of professional, beautiful photography with stories, data, and historical reference makes for an unusual coffee table book that is both a pleasure to look at and read.-- (04/01/2009)

A fresh view of leaves. Simply taking a close look a their color, shape, and texture reveals that these deceptively ordinary things are, in reality, extraordinary. Schrader provides the highly informative text while Green-Armytage fills each page with crisp and vivid images that are certain to spark your imagination.-- (04/01/2009)

Published in an oversized format (9.25 x 11.25)...and filled with full-page color plates of outstanding quality, this book offers an extended meditation on the many aesthetic qualities of leaves. Carefully lit portraits of single leaf examples are arranged into sections such as pattern, edges, kale, texture, shape, and autumn, interspersed with one-page essays about individual plants by Schrader.-- (09/01/2009)

Exquisite photographs get you up close and personal with poinsettia, holly, lettuce, tobacco, moss and marijuana. This is an inspired celebration of colour and pattern, form and texture that will make you see leaves in a whole new light.-- (12/06/2008)

About the Author:

Stephen Green-Armytage's previous book, Extraordinary Chickens, proved that there is much unappreciated beauty in the natural world around us. His photographs have appeared in many other books and such magazines as Sports Illustrated, Life, Fortune and The Smithsonian. Dennis Schrader runs a major greenhouse on Long Island. A professional horticulturalist and a regular guest on Martha Stewart Living TV, he has also worked on The Today Show, Better Homes and Gardens TV and HGTV. He is the author of Hot Plants for Cool Climates: Gardening with Tropical Plants in Temperate Zones.

About this edition

• Publisher: Firefly Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1554073871
• ISBN 13: 9781554073870
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272