Amy Stewart explores the dizzying array of herbs, flowers, trees, fruits, and fungi that humans have, through ingenuity, inspiration, and sheer desperation, contrived to transform into alcohol over the centuries.

Throughout the world, closely related species are found on landmasses separated by wide stretches of ocean. What explains these far-flung distributions? Why are such species found where they are across the Earth?
Since the discovery of plate tectonics, scientists have conjectured that plants and animals were scattered over the globe by riding pieces of ancient supercontinents as they broke up. In the past decade, however, that theory has foundered,...

Presents scientific, sociological, and demographic insight into the complex relationship between plants and humans across history.

"Describes the fascinating plant details that are too small for the unaided eye to see, and how these microscopic systems work to keep the plant alive and healthy"--Provided by publisher.