The Story of the Apple

The Story of the Apple reveals the solution to a long-standing puzzle. Where did the apple come from, and why is the familiar large, sweet, cultivated apple so different from all other wild apple species with their bitter, cherry-sized fruits? This book will fascinate gardeners who wish to know more about the origin and natural history of the plants that they grow in their yards or orchards, researchers and students in botany and horticulture who want the evidence from DNA, geology, anthropology, archaeology, zoology, and Classical history, and anyone with an interest in diet, well-being, and the benevolent effects of plants on the emergence of humankind.

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Media reviews of this book:

"A rich account of the origins of one of our favorite fruits."

—Lynette Walther, Camden Herald, November 9, 2006

Customer reviews of this book:

"Very good mix of science, history, and horticulture by two renowned scholars."

—Aljos F. from United Kingdom, March 29, 2007

An excerpt from this book:

Another feature of the fruit forest may be interpreted from a study of apples in Western markets, showing that there are three consecutive phases in the kinds of apples produced through the growing season. Excluded from this speculation are the relatively modern triploids, which are generally completely sterile and thus could not play any evolutionary role in a natural fruit forest. As a general rule, early-season apples (July–August in the northern hemisphere) are brightly colored and often have a glistening skin, often predominantly red or with a red flush over a bright yellow ground, sometimes glaucous and frequently with a fine, particulate wax bloom ...

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