&i;` This is a well-researched volume with considerable details about each crop. The authors' first-hand experience is obvious from some of the ethnobotanical and local details about plants from many different parts of the world. A feature that will be welcome to teachers of economic botany is a series of maps charting the spread of crops around the world. It is interesting to note the important role played by botanic gardens in the distribution of these crops.... I hope that the appeal by the authors for much more concerted action to preserve the plant genetic resources of tropical forests is heeded. '&o; Ghillean Prance, New Scientist