Kulturgeschichte der Nutzpflanzen, Band IV, 1. Hälfte

This volume opens a sweeping survey of the plants that have fed humanity for millennia, tracing how early cultivators turned wild cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables into reliable staples. The author combines meticulous source work with clear explanations, stripping away specialist jargon while preserving the scientific backbone that supports each plant’s story. Richly illustrated with more than fifty original plates and ninety finely reproduced prints, the text lets listeners picture ancient wheat fields, barley harvests and early orchardings as they are described.

Organized into chapters that follow major groups—grains, fruit trees, citrus, and root vegetables—the book highlights the geographic journeys and cultural adaptations that shaped each crop. By linking botanical details to the broader patterns of human settlement and trade, it shows how the manipulation of plants has been a cornerstone of civilization’s expansion. Listeners will come away with a deeper appreciation of the everyday foods that quietly underlie our history.