Orchid Fever

By Eric Hansen,

Book cover of Orchid Fever: A Horticultural Tale of Love, Lust, and Lunacy

Book description

The acclaimed author of Motoring with Mohammed brings us a compelling adventure into the remarkable world of the orchid and the impossibly bizarre array of international characters who dedicte their lives to it.

The orchid is used for everything from medicine for elephants to an aphrodisiac ice cream. A Malaysian…


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Why read it?

1 author picked Orchid Fever as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Hanson’s book is a wild ride. Look here to learn a lot about the global orchid trade and environmental politics of orchid collecting. Just one unforgettable quote in the book: "You can get off alcohol, drugs, women, food, and cars, but once you're hooked on orchids, you're finished. You never get off orchids...never." – Hansen quoting Joe Kunisch, commercial orchid grower in New York.

I read this during a particularly difficult time in my life and am still thankful for its ability to transport me into strange and beautiful places.

From Erica's list on orchid history and culture.

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