Musgrave, Toby

The reference use of the title will be high, but consider buying it for the circulating collection too, for this is a work that readers will pore over.

Lushly illustrated and filled with fascinating historical and scientific tidbits about the connections between different religions and plants, Musgrave's latest is lively reading and a solid introduction to the topic. The ambitious scope of the book, however, may leave some readers with the feeling that at times the title serves more as an amuse-bouche to the subject rather than a full-course meal.