Susan Strauss expertly weaves myth, storytelling, and science in this gem of a book. She includes the natural cycles of life and death seen in nature and mirrored in the dance all humans encounter throughout our history. This connection of people and plants encourages our own personal desire to sink our hands in the rich, cool soil of the garden and grow something miraculous.Christine Capra Coauthor and editor, The Progression and Practice of Horticultural Therapy; Cofounder of the Horticultural Therapy Institute
Reading this book was like chatting to Susan Strauss and Ian Edwards for a weekend. What greater joy could there be for someone with a passionate belief and interest in the life-sustaining power of stories? More than that, they arrived with the glorious images by Gretta Johnson. What a party. What a gorgeous book.Susan Cross Director, Telltale, United Kingdom
As a celebrated storyteller, Susan Strauss intuitively understands how human beings are hardwired from our evolutionary history, from our biology, that cellular net stronger and even more subtle than spider silk to connect our roots through the act of telling stories which is a literal expiration, a breathing out of spirit. It is a hot circuit firing every aspect of how we primates store and process the universe in our minds, soul, blood, and bones.-Shelton Johnson Acclaimed storyteller, author, and interpreter
Tree With Golden Apples is a rare collection of twelve myths, anecdotes and folk tales revealing the botanical wisdom of the ancients alongside the perspective of modern scientific discoveries. For possibly the first time, these parallel views of the extraordinary gifts of botanical life are presented side-by-side with the musical, poetic speech of the storyteller and the precise language of the scientist, expanding our awe for life on earth.