Product Description

This extraordinary book contains in one unique volume, the most wide ranging history of apples ever written and a detailed survey of over 2,000 of the world's apple varieties. Beautifully illustrated with 32 exquisite colour paintings, the last edition of this book received many accolades and was quickly recognised as a classic. Complete with a fully revised directory covering all the varieties of apples to be found in the world's largest apple collection, "The New Book of Apples" includes full historical, geographical and botanical details as well as tasting notes on each type of apple. Exploring the role of apples in cooking, cider making, gardening, myth and medicine, this is an indispendable reference guide.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41647 in Books
• Published on: 2002-10-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

Review
From the dawn of time the apple has played an important role in the making of history: Adam and Eve, the battle of Troy, religious wars have started over apples and the scientific theory of gravity was conceived by watching an apple fall from a tree. This fully revised edition of the most definitive work on the subject covers the apple's origins in Kazakhstan, the history of its spread across Europe and beyond, its uses both culinary, medically and decoratively through the ages to the present day and the myriad of varieties and cultivars now available. Beautifully illustrated by RHS Gold Medal winning botanical artist, Elizabeth Dowle and written by two renowned authorities on the subject, Joan Morgan and Alison Richards, this is a vital work for every pomologist to own. The directory at the rear of the book, based on the National Collection at Brogdale, lists more than 2000 varieties, giving a summary of each variety's (cultivar's) characteristics and history. Cultivation details are also included, clearly explaining the different techniques and forms available to both the amateur and professional grower. Not just for horticulturalists, this is a fascinating history of a fruit and how it has become an international commodity. - Lucy Watson

About the Author
Joan Morgan is probably the only person alive to have tasted and annotated almost every one of the world’s apples varieties. Originally trained as a biochemist, she now concentrates on studying, writing and lecturing on fruit and garden history. The first woman ever to have been invited to become a member of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Fruit and Vegetable Committee, she is now chairman of the RHS Fruit Trial Committee and president of the Friends of Brogdale.

Alison Richards is an award-winning radio producer and writer with a special interest in the social aspects of gardening and cookery. Their previous book Paradise Out of a Common Field was described by Victoria Glendinning as ‘a brilliant book’, a ‘celebration of the Victorian head gardener on a large country estate.’

Elizabeth Dowle is the winner of seven Royal Horticultural Society gold medals, including one for these apple paintings. She received her formal training at Croydon College of Art, but is a self-taught botanical artist and is now widely sought after. Other books featuring her paintings include the Collins Field Guide to Crops and the New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. She lives in Sussex with her husband and son.

Customer Reviews

THE outstanding guide for UK apples
I have not found a better book for those interested in apples in the UK. There is an excellent potted history, plus details of many apples varieties local and foreign. A brief guide to growing apples at the back tells you most of what you know to start a small orchard.

The descriptions of the apple varieties are what makes this book outstanding. They include details of history, appearance, flavour, shape and so on - enough not only to help identify and apple, but also to help you choose one to grow. For instance, the entry on Ashmead's Kernel gives a brief decription of its development by a Gloucester physician, describes its taste as "strong, sweet-sharp intese flavour reminiscent of fruit or acid drops", talks a bit about what it's grown for, comprehensive details of appearance, picking and storage dates. There is also a drawing to help in identification.

The one downfall of the book is the shortage of apple pictures. There are only 32 plates, all of which show apples of great interest in this country - but a poor showing nonetheless. Obviously it would require a mammoth effort to provide pictures of over 2000 apples, but a more comprehensive photo directory would have been useful. Failing that, they might have mentioned that pictures of many apples are available on the Brogdale webiste (referenced in the back - but failing to mention the availability of descriptions and photos on the website).

Although 2000+ seems a lot, there are a lot of UK apples missing. I would also have preferred that they concentrate on full coverage of the UK (for instance, they are missing several of our local cider apples), and omit some of the foreign apples.

However, this is still a great book for what it does do, and well worth having if you have even a few trees.