Earthly Joys
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
‘When it comes to writers of historical fiction, Philippa Gregory is in the very top league’
Daily Mail
‘A hugely enjoyable and unexpectedly moving book’
Daily Telegraph
‘Vivid and enthralling… good gripping stuff’ SundayTimes
Product Description
Sweeping historical novel from Philippa Gregory the author of The Other Boleyn Girl and The Virgin’s Lover. Set in the 1600s and seen through the eyes of John Tradescant, gardener to the great men of the age.
A traveller in a time of discovery, the greatest gardening pioneer of his day, yet a man of humble birth: John Tradescant’s story is a mirror to the extraordinary age in which he lives.
As gardener and confidante to Sir Robert Cecil, Tradescant is well placed to observe the social and political changes that are about to sweep through the kingdom. While his master conjures intrigues at Court, Tradescant designs for him the magnificent garden at Hatfield, scouring the known world for ever more wonderful plants: new varieties of fruit and flower, the first horse chestnuts to be cultivated in England, even larches from Russia.
Moving to the household of the flamboyant Duke of Buckingham, Tradescant witnesses at first hand the growing division between Parliament and the people; and the most loyal of servants must find a way to become an independent squire.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
44 of 44 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book and its sequel 'Virgin Earth' is a must! I read both books one after the other and was fascinated by its historical background. It was well researched and both books transport the reader to the period covering the reign of James I, his son Charles I and the Cromwellian war up to the restoration of Charles II. How frightening, corrupt and uncertain life was then. How easily this country could have become a republic!
Although not a gardener myself, I was fascinated by the great amounts of plants and trees introduced by both Johns Tradescant and which are now so common in our gardens. From now on I will look at these plants and trees with totally different eyes and think back at how John the elder or John the younger managed to ship them safely to the UK and propegate them for futute generations.
This book and its sequel are full of interesting little snippets of historical value - absolute gems - such as the birth of the stock market in the Netherlands during the tulip bulb mania.
It's amazing to think that one single tulip bulb would set you back £1000 in the 1620s. Then try and imagine how much that would be in present-day currency!
Although not a gardener myself, I was fascinated by the great amounts of plants and trees introduced by both Johns Tradescant and which are now so common in our gardens. From now on I will look at these plants and trees with totally different eyes and think back at how John the elder or John the younger managed to ship them safely to the UK and propegate them for futute generations.
This book and its sequel are full of interesting little snippets of historical value - absolute gems - such as the birth of the stock market in the Netherlands during the tulip bulb mania.
It's amazing to think that one single tulip bulb would set you back £1000 in the 1620s. Then try and imagine how much that would be in present-day currency!
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book, together with the sequel, Virgin Earth, are Phillipa Gregory's best books yet. A mixture of history, gardening, religion, travel, and love of many kinds. Both books written in her usual totally readable style, I couldn't put the first book down, and couldn't wait to get the sequel.
All aspects of this period of history have been well researched and are plausible and fascinating.From the disintegration of the monarchy, to the horrors of the plague, and the glories of the royal gardens, the family of Tradescants, gardeners to the king, are involved in all.
You will love this book. I certainly did.
All aspects of this period of history have been well researched and are plausible and fascinating.From the disintegration of the monarchy, to the horrors of the plague, and the glories of the royal gardens, the family of Tradescants, gardeners to the king, are involved in all.
You will love this book. I certainly did.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Both Earthly Joys and Virgin Earth by Philippa Gregory are fantastic reads, which are a must for the reader of historical fiction and those with an interest in the development of british botanical specimin collections.
John Tradescant, gardner to the king, explorer and botanical collector was responsible for bringing a wide variety of plants to Britain, including the Horse Chestnut tree and was the benefactor responsible for the development of the Ashmolean Museum.
This book is about his voyages, his life in times of civil war and plague as well as global exploration and discovery. The sequel, the continuing tale of his son, who furthers his father's passion for collecting.
This was the frst Philippa Gregory book I read andwas hooked on her writing from then on. A great place to start and discover her style and depth of knowledge. Ideal for both male and female readers.
John Tradescant, gardner to the king, explorer and botanical collector was responsible for bringing a wide variety of plants to Britain, including the Horse Chestnut tree and was the benefactor responsible for the development of the Ashmolean Museum.
This book is about his voyages, his life in times of civil war and plague as well as global exploration and discovery. The sequel, the continuing tale of his son, who furthers his father's passion for collecting.
This was the frst Philippa Gregory book I read andwas hooked on her writing from then on. A great place to start and discover her style and depth of knowledge. Ideal for both male and female readers.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A worthwhile purchase
This book arrived quickly and is just lovely. I do recommend it as Philippa Gregory is a great writer. She captures your attention from the first page to the very last. Read more
Published 14 days ago by Mrs. E. J. Collins
Another good read from Philippa Gregory
A good read and in Philippa Gregory's easy style. A fascinating insight into the work of John Tradescant and all the wonderful gardens he designed and worked in, against the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by mytton.smith@virgin.net
Fabulous book but had to ask for a refund
I have read this book before and it is one of my favourites (as is the sequel Virgin Earth). Many of Phillipa Gregory's historical novels are told from the viewpoint of the main... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gill
Darn good read if you like historical novels.
As with all Philippa Gregory books, a novel based in real history. Darn good read at a good price! Direct from Amazon its on time, very well packed and arrives in perfect... Read more
Published 4 months ago by mr m g hart
Great Book - Sloppy Editing
The story is great but Harper Collins should be shot for the poor conversion to Kindle. There is a character called "J" in both this and "Virgin Earth" and every sentence in the... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Frustrated
earthly joys by Philippa Gregory
You don't have to know about gardening to really enjoy this story. Set in 1603 to 1638 it tells the story of a young gardener and his rise to head gardener and his travels for new... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Denise Michelle
But is it accurate?
It's good to see a novel about a really interesting person, like John Tradescant, rather than yet another bodice-ripper about kings and queens. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Merryn Williams
earthly joys
Hi
having read all the Tudor books by Phillipa Gregory
i found earthly joys very boring and did not finish it
having read all the Tudor books by Phillipa Gregory
i found earthly joys very boring and did not finish it
Published 13 months ago by pepe
Civil War? I saw no sign of it....
Unless you are interestd in gardening this book has no other value.It does not depict the spirit of the years leading up to the actual outbreak of war. Read more
Published 16 months ago by lizatrix
Good for gardeners
This was my first encounter with the author. I enjoyed the historical details particularly of the gardens, their design and the way the plants and trees were found around the world... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Lyndam
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