Gary Paul Nabhan Libros

In his latest book, Mesquite, Gary Paul Nabhan employs humor and contemplative reflection to convince readers that they have never really glimpsed the essence of what he calls arboreality.

Winner of the John Burroughs Association’s John Burroughs Medal for natural history writing and a Southwest Book Award from the Border Regional Library Association To the untrained eye, a desert is a wasteland that defies civilization; yet the desert has been home to native cultures for centuries and offers sustenance in its surprisingly wide range of plant life. Gary Paul Nabhan has combed the desert in search of plants forgotten by all but a handful of American Indians and Mexican Americans. In Gathering the Desert readers will discover that the bounty of the desert is much more than meets the eye—whether found in the luscious fruit of the stately organpipe cactus or in the lowly tepary bean. Nabhan has chosen a dozen of the more than 425 edible wild species found in the Sonoran Desert to demonstrate just how bountiful the land can be. From the red-hot chiltepines of Mexico to the palms of Palm Springs, each plant exemplifies a symbolic or ecological relationship which people of this region have had with plants through history. Each chapter focuses on a particular plant and is accompanied by an original drawing by artist Paul Mirocha. Word and picture together create a total impression of plants and people as the book traces the turn of seasons in the desert.

Focusing on the interplay between human communities and their specific terrains, the author blends ethnobiology with narratives from remote areas where diverse ecosystems and indigenous cultures thrive. This collection of essays highlights the profound connections between identity and environment, creating a rich tapestry that emphasizes the importance of understanding our relationship with nature and the spaces we inhabit.

This fascinating approach to bees shows readers an entirely new perspective - seeing the world through a bee's eyes.

The book highlights the critical loss of plant species and its implications for biodiversity, emphasizing the importance of traditional Native agricultural practices. It explores the rich diversity of tropical plants and their contributions to modern crops, while detailing how agriculture and logging threaten this diversity. Through local Native American agricultural stories, it underscores the urgency of preserving endangered plants and maintaining a wide gene pool for resilient crop varieties. The new foreword by Miguel Altieri enhances its focus on sustainable agriculture and indigenous methods.

Exploring the intersection of art and science, Gary Paul Nabhan shares four compelling stories that highlight how creativity fosters scientific innovation. His journey begins with a personal challenge in art class that ignites his scientific career. He reveals how ancient American Indian songs provide deep insights into flora and fauna, parallels modern research. A poem inspires a novel diabetes treatment with desert plants, and a collaboration between scientists and artists leads to the establishment of the Ironwood Forest National Monument.

An acclaimed ethnobotanist and a pioneering restaurateur beautifully capture the unparalleled diversity and distinctiveness of artisanal mezcals

In Honey Bees: Letters From the Hive, bee expert Stephen Buchmann takes readers on an incredible tour. Enter a beehive--one part nursery, one part honey factory, one part queen bee sanctum--then fly through backyard gardens, open fields, and deserts where wildflowers bloom. It's fascinating--and delicious! Hailed for their hard work and harmonious society, bees make possible life on earth as we know it. This fundamental link between bees and humans reaches beyond biology to our environment and our culture: bees have long played important roles in art, religion, literature, and medicine--and, of course, in the kitchen. For honey fanatics and all who have a sweet tooth, this book not only entertains and enlightens but also reminds us of the fragility of humanity's relationship with nature. Includes illustrations and photographs throughout.