Insects and Gardens: in Pursuit of a Garden Ecology

Description

Professional entomologist and amateur gardener Eric Grissell suggests that it might be time to declare a truce with the insects in our lives. With a sound basis in science and a practical grounding in gardening experience, Grissell introduces the reader to the role of insects in garden ecology. His insightful account of insect biology is supported by gorgeous photographs, which reveal a captivating beauty and illustrate the vital interdependence between insects and plants. Now available in paperback, this book will be loved by anyone seeking a greater appreciation and understanding of these often-maligned garden visitors.

Eric Grissell - a member of the Garden Writers Association as well as a half dozen entomological and horticultural societies - has written two books of essays on gardening and a popular book entitled Insects and Gardens. His latest book, Bees, Wasps, and Ants: The Indispensable Role of Hymenoptera in Gardens, examines the undeniably important role these often maligned insects play in our lives and gardens. Grissell grew up in San Francisco where he acquired the basics of gardening at an early age. Many of his youthful exploits (such as stalking salamanders at night and working in neighborhood gardens to supplement his meager allowance) were touched upon in his first book, Thyme on My Hands, published by Timber Press in 1987. Torn between the seemingly artificial world of gardens and the natural world of insects, Grissell entered the University of California, Davis, where he ultimately decided to major in entomology with a minor in botany. His postgraduate research centered on the systematics of predatory and parasitic wasps. Grissell went on to work for three decades as a research entomologist, first with the Florida Department of Agriculture, then with the United States Department of Agriculture in the Systematic Entomology Laboratory. As well as conducting research trips and publishing a hundred scientific papers, Grissell was in charge of curating and building sections of the Smithsonian's insect collection. In addition, he co-taught a biennial, week-long workshop in parasitic wasps over a 22-year period, was a cofounding member of the International Society of Hymenopterists, and served as editor of the Journal of Hymenoptera Research for seven years. After having gardened in Mediterranean, subtropical, and temperate climates, Eric now practices what he refers to as Darwinian Victory Gardening in the high desert grasslands of southeastern Arizona. According to the principles of DVG, anything that survives in his garden is considered a victory. Even weeds.

With a captivating blend of humor and candor, this research entomologist describes in detail the insect orders residing in our gardens and their habits. Goodpasture's fine photographs befit Grissell's effervescent treatise. -- Alice Joyce Booklist 20010820 Engaging ... The accompanying close-ups of insects and other creatures and other photographs are beautifully composed and illustrate the text well... Highly recommended for all gardening collections. Library Journal 20011015 The writer and the photographer have together joined the separate worlds of the visual and the written word and created a tour de force garden book. They have dedicated their book to Rachel Carson, whose book Silent Spring has achieved classic status. I suspect their book may achieve such acclaim also. -- Madeleine Wilde Kirkland Courier 20011201 For gardeners who are realistic about acting as stewards of the world we live in, Insects and Gardens is an inspiration. -- Jean Starr Munster (IN) Times 20011201 Insects and Gardens is destined to become a classic of garden literature. -- Deborah Brown Minneapolis Star Tribune 20011220 This is an important book indeed, with the potential to become a classic... It is a must-read for all who plunge a trowel into the earth, and care about the health and well-being of our natural world. -- Ethel Fried Manchester (CT) Journal Inquirer 20020228 For a long time, I've hoped to find more humor in American garden writing. Oddly, I've found it in a surprising place--a scientific book called Insects and Gardens... The text is lively and closely linked to some superior close-up photographs of these curiously chic creatures. -- Pamela Lord Gardener for the Prairies 20011206 This is a complex and fascinating book, a great winter companion to garden catalogs. -- Virgil Rupp East Oregonian 20020120 Not only does he understand and appreciate the work of insects, he has a wild sense of humor-it's nice to chuckle when reading about insects... The many color photographs by Carll Goodpasture will change the attitude of the most determined insectophobe. They are stunning, showing insects as graceful, colorful creatures in beautiful settings. -- Cathie Draine Rapid City Journal 20020124 A fascinating book filled with useful information, Insects and Gardens is illustrated with over 100 exceptional color photographs by Carll Goodpasture that offer close-up views of a diversity of insects. A book that can be enjoyed from cover to cover, it also reads nicely as a pick up, put down, read again sort of volume. -- Judy Glattstein Home Monthly 20020113 Grissell manages to navigate the reader through all the intricacies of the insect world while being completely entertaining... There is so much information jammed into this book, along with fabulous photographs by Carll Goodpasture... In fact, I can say without reservation that this should be required reading in school biology courses and for everyone who is remotely interested in the world around them. -- Susan Banks Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 20020209 Insects and Gardens provides science readers with an excellent survey. Highly recommended. Bookwatch 20020322 As a research entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and an avid gardener, [Eric Grissell] certainly knows the subject. Even better, he has a gift for presenting scientific ideas in an engaging and understandable way. HortIdeas 20020422 Bar none, this is the best garden book I have read that was published in 2001... I have never seen a book with such beautiful pictures of insects. -- Diana Pederson Suite101.com 20020125 He makes us appreciate the value of insects and their significant place in the environment. -- John Van de Water Newark Star-Ledger 20020407 It addresses an area that no one has really ventured into before... It's a highly readable book that ought to be read in every classroom. American Gardener 20020528 Seeks to explain the vital role insects play in every garden ecosystem. -- Amanda Solomon Sussex Wildlife 20020429 As gardeners we may be surprised to discover the hidden wonders of the insect world when we invite them into our gardens. Phenomenal close-up photographs. -- Joanne S. Carpender National Gardener 20020529 Entertaining and enlightening... I highly recommend Insects and Gardens, which is a recipient of the American Horticultural Society's Book Award for 2002... Grissell's lifelong fascination with the insect world is contagious and the magnificent color photographs by Carll Goodpasture perfectly illustrate the author's concepts... I give this book two antennae up! -- Kathryn Lund Johnson American Gardener 20020529 Share this with your children. -- Marty Figley Michigan Observer and Eccentric 20020328 The author approaches his subject with humor and childlike fascination at the complexity and diversity of the insect world... Highly recommended. Ecology Action 20020504 [This book] is an eloquent and fascinating look at a world most of us are not even aware of. Pair his prose with the extraordinary photographs ... and you have a book that is hard to put down. Not only is there no specialized jargon, but he adds a dash of humor to his text. His literary voice is strong and his message is clear. -- Susan Banks Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 20020209 The photographs for this book are so spectacular that 34 of them are traveling throughout the USA in a Smithsonian Museum exhibit. If you can tear yourself away from the fascinating photographs, you will find that the well-written text is riveting. Buy this book. You'll love it. -- Susan Knorr Fairchild Tropical Garden 20020708 Eric Grissell's charming sense of humor and engaging prose, and Carll Goodpasture's amazing photographs make this an excellent basic reference on insects of all ecologically minded gardeners... Most people-even gardeners, don't know the second thing about insects, and for that reason alone this book is to be highly recommended: it makes learning about insects a pleasure. -- Peter Bane Permaculture Activist 20020709 Eric Grissell escorts us on a fascinating journey through the little recognized work of our garden's ecology. Through this down-to-earth text, and Carll Goodpasture's remarkable and well-captioned photographs, the world of insect biology and the role of insects in our garden's ecology emerge as a solid part of our daily gardening experience. Pacific Horticulture 20020715 Insects and Gardens is a thoughtful guide to creating a garden that works with nature. -- Cliff Fairweather Audubon Naturalist News 20020731 Never have I been more surprised to fall in love with a book... This well-written book has done more to increase my joy in the garden than others I've read. -- Wendy Ely Woodland Garden 20020731 Upon reading it you will have a new appreciation for garden insects and their roles in the ecology of your yard. -- Don Davis Lynchburg News and Advance 20020724 Grissell's book will help to generate a greater respect and appreciation for insects and possibly a new approach to gardening. -- Sharon Wootton Everett Herald 20020523 Once in a very great while, art and science unite to produce a work that is one-third natural history, one-third philosophy, and one-third poetry. Think of Thoreau's 'Walden,' Rachel Carson's 'The Sea Around Us' and the canticle Beneddicite omnia opera Domini domino... To this list I would add Insects and Gardens: In Pursuit of a Garden Ecology. -- Stuart Kellogg Daily Press 20020823 Every gardener or anyone who has a garden can easily read and should read this book. -- Agah Uguz Plant Science Bulletin 20021001 Page after page of fascinating information ... The author takes a complex subject and explains it in an authoritative, yet entertaining, way. -- Tim Morehouse Cincinnati Enquirer 20020824 Sensible and humane ... Readers will be entertained and informed by Grissell's effort... Carll Goodpasture's photographs are the perfect complement to the text, presenting the insect world as we have never seen it. -- Janice E. Bowers Quarterly Review of Biology 20020909 It is obvious that the author both respects and admires insects of all kinds... Insects and Gardens is well-written, thought-provoking and profusely illustrated... [It] deserves to be read by anyone interested in gardens, insects or both. -- S. Rawlins Botanical Artist 20021009 I had only to leaf through the pages to see the most extraordinary color photographs of insects I have ever seen. -- Russell Studebaker Horticulture 20021125 Eric Grissell's book challenges our deeply ingrained intolerance of insects, especially in the garden... Insects and Gardens is filled with stunning colour photographs, taken by Carll Goodpasture, that should make everyone (well, almost everyone) change their view from disgust to awe. Gardeners everywhere, especially native plant gardeners, would be wise to consider Grissell's message, for it is gardeners who are in the best position to be ambassadors for these maligned creatures. -- Gail McCormack North American Native Plant Society Newsletter 20021105 Grissell writes in a remarkably clear, down-to-earth manner that is in turn educational and entertaining. The photos by Carll Goodpasture are so beautiful they could be framed and hung on the wall... Here's a book that finally puts insects in their place: our gardens. -- Kym Pokorny Oregonian 20021212 Although Grissell is an entomologist, he writes for the layperson-with plenty of earthy humor. -- Dulcy Mahar Oregonian 20021121 Offers much that good gardeners should ponder over. -- Mary Davies Irish Garden 20021208 In an entertaining fashion, Grissell gently steers the reader toward a better understanding of the meshing of all facets of nature in a well-planned garden. Off the Shelf 20020109 The clear and light style of writing provides both basic and fascinating information. The handsome photographs are sharp and clear, and nicely complement the text... This book informs, entertains, and gives insight into insect interaction, insect plant interaction and how this all ties in with diversity in the garden ecology. -- Barbara Joe Hoshizaki Southern California Horticultural Society Newsletter 20021213 The award-winning book by Eric Grissell with his remarkable sense of humor, together with award-winning fantabulous photography by Carll Goodpasture ... should change the way you think about insects, bugs, creepy crawlers or whatever. Or, at least get you to think about insects and how they relate as an essential part of a garden's structure. -- George Graine Virginia Master Gardeners Association Report 20021214 This is a wonderfully engaging book written with wit and style. -- Natalie Walsh Schenectady Daily Gazette 20021024 An impressive book, interestingly written and superbly illustrated. Taxon 20020216 This entomologist definitely knows his stuff. -- Deborah Mills Ventura County Star 20030121 The beautiful and detailed photography by Carll Goodpasture is a wonderful touch to an already educational and entertaining read. -- Alyssa Armentrout Neil Sperry's Gardens 20021022 Every gardener or anyone who has a garden can easily read and should read this book. I am sure much less pesticides will be used with the help of this book. -- Agah Uguz Plant Science Bulletin 20020122 Carll Goodpasture's fascinating photographs show readers the world-from an insect's point of view. -- Rebecca Sawyer-Fay Country Living Gardener 20020923 Read this book. -- Helen Chesnut Victoria Times Colonist 20021212 After you read Eric Grissell's amazing, award-winning book, Insects and Gardens: In Pursuit of a Garden Ecology, your thinking about insects will forever be changed. That's a promise. -- Lynette Walther Palatka Daily News 20021214 I cannot think of any gardener who would not love and benefit from this book. Hoosier Organic Gardener 20030130 This is a must read for gardeners interested in learning more about the delicate balance between plants and insects. Ontario Gardener 20020211 It is no coincidence that this book ... has won prestigious awards from both the Garden Writers Association and the American Horticultural Society. -- Liz Ball Springfield Press 20030122 Insects and Gardens explores the vital role that insects play in every garden's ecosystem... Remarkable color photographs reveal the surprising beauty and vital energy that insects bring to the garden. Seeds of Change 20030310 With over one hundred extraordinary photos by Carll Goodpasture, this book is an enjoyable and informative read for any gardener. Monarch Watch 20010527 In a word, fascinating! ... Wise, informative, very readable, and even funny. -- Marge Hols St. Paul Pioneer Press 20030426 With the understandable text and awesome photographs, Insects and Gardens is an excellent reference book. -- Suanne Sikkema Alaska Botonical Garden 20030611 Spend a little time with Grissell and you'll find a whole new world right in your own backyard...Th photographs by Goodpasture are stunning. New Hampshire Union Leader 20030520 Truly deserves its awards, and needs to be read by all broad--minded gardeners and -- if possible -- by strictly conventional growers. -- Carol Howe Rockland Courier-Gazette 20030605 Book Worth a Close Look -- Glen Andresen Portland Alliance 20030421 Elegantly attempts to find the middle ground where humans and insects can co-exist ... Well worth the attention of serious gardeners. Southeastern Naturalist 20030729 Good source for insect information. -- Kathy Gilbert Chattanooga Times Free Press 20030719 More than 100 images by photographer Carl Goodpasture work hand-in-hand with the text to share the beauty and energy that insects bring to the garden. -- Linda Coyner Senior Women Web 20030917 With droll humor and a friendly style, Grissell puts his subjects back in the garden (with the help of many intimate, colorful portraits) and invites us to come on in, get friendly and take the big view. -- Nancy Bauer Gardens 20031119 A fascinating little book. -- Valerie Sudol Newark Star-Ledger 20040513 Explaining the delicate balance of nature is next to impossible. Condensing it to book size is no less a feat. -- Mary Ann Fink St. Louis Post-Dispatch 20040612 I love this book. I love this book. I love this book. and by the way, I love this book. Eric Griselle...has communicated his love of insects...he believes they belong in the garden and the less we do toward interfering with them the healthier and better functioning our gardens will be. -- Caroline McCullagh Let's Talk Plants 20040301 This is not a handbook on how to recognize and eliminate insect pests, but a thoughtful exploration of the vital role insects play in every garden ecosystem. -- Patt Kasa National Gardener 20050317