It’s spring and gardening comes to mind. History and politics are always in season. Founding Gardeners: the Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation teems with insight into early gardens. The term is broadly defined to include not only kitchen gardens but also trees, parks, large formal planting patterns, early land acquisition. Frank acknowledgment of deplorable dependence upon slavery is an inevitable part of author Andrea Wulf’s account.
Of interest also are the historical and political ramifications of plant choices and garden tours by the founding fathers. Wulf draws these themes together gracefully in her unique survey. We see varied plants through the lives of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Madison. Evident also are the roots of political parties and tensions evident still.
The San Francisco Chronicle wrote: “Anecdotes…shimmer through Andrea Wulf’s fine story…Luxurious and sharp-witted.” The text itself occupies just over 200 pages with the rest of the book devoted to end notes, bibliography, and index along with a number of illustrations and charts. Wulf helpfully includes both common and Latin plant names in the detailed index.
Everett Public Library’s book set is now in hand. You can arrange pick up from our church library by contacting
Linda Senter,
Doreen Solberg, or directly from
Shirley Solberg.
