The Plant Messiah: Adventures in Search of the World's Rarest Species Paperback – March 19, 2019

First, a word about the rating. The five stars is primarily for botany enthusiasts, though this is also a great read for people interested in the conservation of rare species. Others may find it less compelling though it's a good read. I was reminded, first, of an observation by Alfred Russel Wallace upon the discovery of a new species - conceding that, to the average person, the excitement he felt would be seen as "lacking adequate cause." Magdalena explains, and in near-poetic language, conveys this excitement, and it is infectious. "Messiah" appears to be a nickname bestowed by a Spanish journalist, in part because Magdalena does look a little bit like Jesus, but also because his blunt refusal to accept extinction has driven him to superhuman efforts to propagate and restore rare species. Raised in a nature-loving family in rural Spain, his acceptance at and rise through the ranks of Britain's Kew Gardens also seems miraculous. Finally, the book serves well as a travelogue also, recounting fascinating destinations such as Bolivian jungles, the Australian Outback, Peruvian deserts, and most of all the Mascarene Islands in the Indian Ocean. POSTSCRIPT: Some reviewers have complained about no pictures; my edition (Doubleday) has at least some. I agree they add to the appeal of the book.

If you’ve ever been concerned about the extinction of plants due to climate change, deforestation, urban sprawl, or use of chemicals and how that chain from pesticides to pollinators can affect our surrounding environment...well Carlos Magdalena gives us all a little hope that there is someone like him. Carlos was untrained technically in his early career but had the passion to dedicate his life to saving some of the worlds most endangered plants. I recommend this book to those who think about protecting rare plants, the value of the worlds seed bank and think just maybe they too can help protect just one plant from extinction. To that end, congratulations to S. Blair Hedges for saving the Magnolia Ekmanii within Haiti, yes, a handful of us are aware of your research and propagation insitu work.

as advertised. A great read

Carlos Magdalena, a renowned biologist, had been featured in David Attenborough's Kingdom of Plants documentary and is known for saving extinct plants. This book tells the story how his passion for the natural sciences, particularly for plants, lead him to become a plant conservationist. Having heard and read news in the past about how Carlos successfully saving many extinct plant species, Carlos is truly a living modern day hero. A gift to humanity.

Carlos's stories of conservation are a roller coaster of emotion, often multiple at once. i didnt realize i could be frustrated, dumbfounded, and entertained at the same time until i read about a situation he recalls where someone *ate* some seeds of a rare palm tree he was trying to propogate. highly recommend this book

Magdalena has a passion for conservation that leaps from his heart into the page. Describing his water lily collection trips & propagating tricks enthralled & educated me but it was his stories of ongoing habitat destruction that broke my heart.

If you love plants, then you will love this book. The story really flows and you get some details about his job and their consequences that really make you think about the world we live in.

Awesome read. Highly recommended.

Top rating because I'm inspired to keep drawing the plants in my home in Tenerife.... Even though I can't identify all of them. Someone in the future? It's like sending a message in a bottle!!!!

Absolutely loved how packed full of information it is. Quite interesting. 💚

She loves this book

Libro de fondo científico pero escrito de forma amena y de fácil comprensión para los no científicos con toques de humor buenísimos. El libro me llego un miércoles a mediodía y lo termine el sábado! Ahora toca volver a leerlo con Google al alcance para ver imágenes de plantas y áreas geográficas poco conocidos. Cuando salga en español volveré a comprarlo para compartirlo con mis familiares y amigos que no leen ingles.

This book could inspire a generation. Thank goodness somebody is doing this work. Without plant diversity the human race would become extinct.