Coffee Table Books

A History of Botanical Gardens
Between Science and Landscape Art
Y. Allain
Edition 2012

The work retraces the origin of botanical gardens and the history of their design from their gradual creation from the 16th century, firstly in Europe and then in other continents.Illustrated by old engravings and colour photos, it shows the changing functions of botanical gardens through the ages. It highlights the originality of all the major European botanical gardens. The book also invokes relatively unknown undertakings like the seed companies and their international trade, plant labelling, herbariums, etc.

Rivers and Rivals
V. Andréassian, J. Margat
Edition 2012

Water, a natural resource unlike any other and essential to all living beings.
Water has so many, often exclusive, uses that the risk of not having any (or even of depending on others to supply it) is easily perceived as a threat. The history of ancient civilisations is teeming with water-related rivalries. What about today? An original analysis of the geopolitical dimension of water detailing the scientific concepts that explain the issues linked to sharing water resources throughout the world.

A History of Colonial Plants
From Cocoa to Vanilla
S. Volper
Edition 2011

Set off on a journey rich in aromas and flavours in late 19th century Africa up to the African States gaining their independence in 1950! This well-illustrated book retraces the golden age of colonial plants and their significance in African countries until recent times.

Les pêches méditerranéennes
A Journey Through Tradition
J. Monot
Edition 2011

Climb aboard a felucca, a fishing boat or a longliner for a fascinating, illustrated journey through fishing traditions. Here is depicted a vibrant homage to the men of "the gear", be it nets or dragged.

Bullfighting Without Death?
J. Porcher, C. Pereira
Edition 2011

Bullfighting - you are either for or against, there is no happy medium. Moving away from this dichotomy, the author views bullfighting from the angle of working with the animals. Is bullfighting possible without death?

A la conquête des grands fonds
J. Kornprobst, C. Laverne
Edition 2011

An astonishing adventure illustrated by a hundred or so watercolours which present the measuring instruments, vessels, submersibles, sailors and scientists which have contributed to the exploration of abysses.

Le coton au fil du temps

M. Jeanguyot
Edition 2011 This book summarizes what we know about cotton, and traces the adventures of the plant and its fibre worldwide. This lavishly illustrated work is both an art book and a reference work on the topic.

Bergers du monde

B. Faye
Edition 2011 For the past thirty years or so, Bernard Faye has been crisscrossing four continents meeting people who devote their lives to their animals and to the land. His book, illustrated with more than 400 colour photos, pays homage to the world's herdsmen.

Quelques pas en marché africain
V. Baisse
Edition 2010

The combination of photographs and poetic impressions in this book testifies to the wealth and diversity of trade generated by African markets, watches them as they come alive or unravel, and punctuates an itinerary of traveller, guide or storyteller.

Lithops
Jewels of the Veld
S. Hammer, M. Legrand
Edition 2010

The lithops give themselves away every Autumn, these stunning little plant chameleons which imitate the surrounding rocks to perfection. Discover them in pictures.