Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #95946 in Books
• Published on: 1999-02-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

Synopsis
Tremendous historical novel of the early 1600s, as seen through the eyes of John Tradescant, gardener to the great men of the age. A traveller in a time of discovery, the greatest gardening pioneer of his day, yet a man of humble birth: John Tradescant's story is a mirror to the extraordinary age in which he lives. As gardener and confidante to Sir Robert Cecil, Tradescant is well placed to observe the social and political changes that are about to sweep through the kingdom. While his master conjures intrigues at Court, Tradescant designs for him the magnificent garden at Hatfield, scouring the known world for ever more wonderful plants: new varieties of fruit and flower, the first horse chestnuts to be cultivated in England, even larches from Russia. Moving to the household of the flamboyant Duke of Buckingham, Tradescant witnesses at first hand the growing division between Parliament and the people; and the most loyal of servants must find a way to become an independent squire.

Customer Reviews

Absolutely enthralling
This book and its sequel 'Virgin Earth' is a must! I read both books one after the other and was fascinated by its historical background. It was well researched and both books transport the reader to the period covering the reign of James I, his son Charles I and the Cromwellian war up to the restoration of Charles II. How frightening, corrupt and uncertain life was then. How easily this country could have become a republic!
Although not a gardener myself, I was fascinated by the great amounts of plants and trees introduced by both Johns Tradescant and which are now so common in our gardens. From now on I will look at these plants and trees with totally different eyes and think back at how John the elder or John the younger managed to ship them safely to the UK and propegate them for futute generations.
This book and its sequel are full of interesting little snippets of historical value - absolute gems - such as the birth of the stock market in the Netherlands during the tulip bulb mania.
It's amazing to think that one single tulip bulb would set you back £1000 in the 1620s. Then try and imagine how much that would be in present-day currency!

Gregory's best book yet!
This book, together with the sequel, Virgin Earth, are Phillipa Gregory's best books yet. A mixture of history, gardening, religion, travel, and love of many kinds. Both books written in her usual totally readable style, I couldn't put the first book down, and couldn't wait to get the sequel.
All aspects of this period of history have been well researched and are plausible and fascinating.From the disintegration of the monarchy, to the horrors of the plague, and the glories of the royal gardens, the family of Tradescants, gardeners to the king, are involved in all.
You will love this book. I certainly did.

Beautifully written from a depth of historical knowledge second to none
Both Earthly Joys and Virgin Earth by Philippa Gregory are fantastic reads, which are a must for the reader of historical fiction and those with an interest in the development of british botanical specimin collections.

John Tradescant, gardner to the king, explorer and botanical collector was responsible for bringing a wide variety of plants to Britain, including the Horse Chestnut tree and was the benefactor responsible for the development of the Ashmolean Museum.

This book is about his voyages, his life in times of civil war and plague as well as global exploration and discovery. The sequel, the continuing tale of his son, who furthers his father's passion for collecting.

This was the frst Philippa Gregory book I read andwas hooked on her writing from then on. A great place to start and discover her style and depth of knowledge. Ideal for both male and female readers.