Despite being a source of insults - swede basher, cabbage head, couch potato - the kitchen garden is as full of life, excitement and anecdote as the flower garden. Vegetables have relieved, and caused, famines. They have played a part in protest movements and been used to wage and win wars. Vegetables have shaped the world we know - while the American population thrived on 'king corn' (maize) and green beans, Europeans were hot-housed on a diet of potatoes. Meanwhile many famous historical figures have waxed lyrical on vegetables from Claude Monet, Thomas Jefferson and George Bernard Shaw to Beatrix Potter and P.G. Wodehouse. By celebrating our history of vegetables Bill Laws highlights the facts and foibles for our pleasure and edification.

"Laws delights in entertaining us with curious facts, some well known, some new." The Garden "Fascinating and well researched." The English Garden "You'll discover a new side to the common garden vegetable." Period House "There couldn't be a better gift for the dedicated gardener." Publishing News.