Product Description

Cannabis sativa has been called the world's most versatile plant. Materials made from hemp fiber have been discovered in tombs dating back to before 7000 BC. During the Middle Ages hemp was used to treat fevers, insomnia, and malaria. Columbus's ships had sails of hemp, and during colonial times it was universally grown because its strong fibers made superior ropes, sails, cloth, and paper. In fact, hemp was used for money in most of the Americas from 1631 until the early 1800s, and the original drafts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written on hemp paper. As a food, the oil from hemp seeds has the highest percentage of essential fatty acids and the lowest percentage of saturated fats. Britain and Canada have recently lifted bans on growing industrial hemp and today it is reappearing in the marketplace in an amazing array of products: from lip-salve, jeans, salad oil, and cheese to paper products, composite fiberboard, and biomass fuel.

This illustrated, easy-to-read guide covers all aspects of hemp: -The history of its cultivation worldwide -Its role as a source of renewable energy and as an alternative for paper manufacturing and fossil fuels -Its versatility as a fiber -Its many nutritional and medicinal uses -Examines the physiological and psychological effects of marijuana use in recreation and therapy

A comprehensive resource section includes information on organizations involved in legalizing hemp, product suppliers, and an annotated bibliography.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #48811 in Books
• Published on: 1996-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Wisconsin Bookwatch
The Great Book of Hemp Brings together a vast amount of information on all aspects of this remarkable plant in an illustrated, entertaining, easily accessible format. Readers will learn the history of hemp cultivation worldwide and its role as a source of renewable energy and as a raw material for paper manufacturing. Lost in the political discussions about marijuana usage is hemp's versatility as a fiber and its many nutritional and medicinal uses. The Great Book of Hemp provides a comprehensive resource section with information on organizations involved in legalizing hemp, product suppliers, and an annotated bibliography.

Thomas P. Healy Branches
The engagingly written, well-illustrated reference book is a thoughtful contribution to the discussion of hemp. The Great Book of Hemp makes a strong case for reconsidering hemp now!

About the Author
Rowan Robinson is the pen name of an author who chooses to remain anonymous.

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive overview of all aspects of hemp.
A very inspirational book about all aspects of hemp, including history, possible benefits of cultivation and amazing uses. If you are even slightly interested in hemp, this book will open your eyes to the injustice that this brilliant (3000 year old!) crop has endured over the last 100 years. Very well illustrated and researched, a must read on the subject.

Interesting - very
Factual, informative, eye-opener of a book presenting all the facts in a very readable and entertaining fashion. Not quite as entertaining though as the somewhat more quirky 'The Emperor Wears no Clothes' which contains the same information but in a less academic style. Read them both.