Plants, Man and Life

Plants, Man, and Life by Edgar Anderson is a pioneering exploration of the intricate relationships between humanity and the plant world, written with a keen eye for both scientific inquiry and accessibility. Originally conceived as a digest of botanical knowledge, Anderson’s work defied expectations, focusing instead on the gaps in understanding and the questions yet to be answered about the plants on which humans depend. His narrative offers a blend of personal observations, historical context, and vivid examples, from the role of weeds and cultivated plants in shaping landscapes to the diverse uses of dooryard flora in underdeveloped countries. These unorthodox insights captivated a broad spectrum of readers, from scientists to curious laypeople, making the book a touchstone in the field of ethnobotany.

Written with a conversational style aimed at the intellectually curious—embodied by figures like Pandit Nehru, whom Anderson imagined as his ideal reader—the book remains a testament to the evolving nature of botanical science. Its discussions of underexplored subjects, such as the cultural significance of plants and their ecological adaptations, have inspired generations of botanists, ecologists, and anthropologists. With its interdisciplinary approach and its ability to bridge gaps between academic and general audiences, Plants, Man, and Life continues to be a valuable resource for understanding the vital connections between people and the plant kingdom.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1952.