Carnivorous Plants (The MIT Press)

Back in 1981 I found a copy of this book at my community college library. Prior to that I had been trying to grow carnivorous plants with only meager success since all the literature was up to that time was scant, and often based on pre-conceived notions about carnivorous plants. Most success I had were a combination of just applying common sense based on the little I knew about the plants, and just dumb luck. Most information up to that time led to quite a few dead plants.After going through the book I was so entranced that I probably read it 10 or more times, and later purchased two copies of it, one of which I wore out since I was using it as more of a garden guide. Slack's book not only had beautiful pictures, but descriptions and natural history of species I had never heard of. This text was a turning point in being successful with carnivorous plants, and was instrumental in leading me to having a carnivorous plant nursery today.Even though the information is getting a little dated, I still refer back to this book and his companion book, "Insect Eating Plants and How to Grow Them", to this day. Adrian Slack had some insights that were valuable, and wisdom that I quote to this day.Some of the folks who give this book low ratings are not taking a couple things into account. This book was published in 1979; no computers, film photography, four color process offset printing. It was expensive back in this day to publish lots of color photos. I found the photos for the time period amazing. Also, Slack never intended this book to be a "how-to" guide; he did the cultivation section as an after-thought. He was already working on the second book which was a cp horticulture guide. It was meant to be a natural history guide. Even so, it was the best information out there at that time.I would say this book is a must if your serious about carnivorous plants. It wouldn't be my first choice for a beginner, but would still provide excellent background on the natural history of the plants.

I think some of the previous reviewers may not have been aware that Adrian Slack has a different book available that deals specifically with growing carnivorous plants. This book's intended purpose is definitely not to be a "growing guide" for carnivorous plants. Rather, it is a rigorous and detailed study of the plants themselves, their history, biology and trapping mechanisms. Yes, there is a small section in end of the book regarding cultivation, but it is clearly intended to serve more as an appendix than a main chapter in the book.To dismiss this text on the basis that it is not a growing guide and that it lacks sufficient cultivation information is a cheap shot, because that was never the author's intent and anyone who has read it could tell you that.For what this book IS intended to do, it is without a doubt the best on the market (even today!). No other carnivorous plant book on the market today covers their biology and trapping mechanisms in such vivid detail, nor do they provide such high quality drawings and examinations of just how these plants function.If you want information on how to cultivate these amazing plants, this is definitely not the book for you. If, however, you want to know where these plants come from and seek rigorous scientific detail on just how they work, this is without a doubt the best resource in publication, bar none.This book has been around for a long time and I hope it remains in publication because there is currently nothing else that supplies the same information. If you are growing these plants and want to know more about them than what is covered in more popular cultivation books (e.g. Peter D'Amato or Barry Rice's texts) then this book is what you need. It makes an excellent companion to many of the cultivation books on the market today and will give you an even greater appreciation and understanding of these remarkable plants.

The information is presented more like a textbook rather than 'easy reading'. Lots of details in terms of methods of growing and taxonomy of these interesting plants. One downside is the majority of pictures are black and white rather than color.

Excellent book. Covers entire spectrum of plants and cultivation. Detailed descriptions and information. Well-known author.Will be helpful as I try to cultivate plants. Well known author.

What a hit!! What a great book!

I was a little disappointed with this book. Adrian Slack's expertise can't be doubted but as a layperson I found the book heavy going. There was an awful lot of scientific jargon used and I didn't even finish reading it - something I rarely do. There were some stunning full-page colour photos in the book which were sadly few and far between. Most of the photos were black and white or sketches. I like my gardening books to have full colour photos and a minimum of jargon. One for those with scientific/botanical backgrounds only I think.

The author gives amazing detail in describing the diversity between plants, how to grow them, where they come from, and different methods of indoor growing

Great book! Everything I thought it would be

I've been collecting carnivorous plants for a couple of years and now have about twenty, mainly Sarracenia and Venus fly traps plus a Cobra plant, the 'Alien'. They are not difficult to grow but I bet we've all killed Venus fly traps by keeping 'em too warm in winter and killing 'em with kindness. This book and a couple of others I have, is a MUST for the grower. Sarracenias in particular often look similar; there are at least four varieties that are easy to mistake.and unless buying from a specialised grower, they probably wont be clearly identified if bought from a garden centre. That's where this and other books help, although the b&w illustrations in this book aren't very helpful...its my only criticism.

Excellent book, useful information with good illustrations. Fast delivery, well packed.

Great item.

great book

Full of quality info.