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Summary: An extraordinary armchair journey
Review: Eric Hansen takes the reader all over the world in pursuit of the cause and effect of orchid fever. He is a talented writer and a gifted individual who has written about some absolutely astounding and fascinating events and individuals in the orchid world with keen and witty insight.
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Summary: A Minnesota traveler
Review: Forget the flowers, this book is a treasure. Eric Hansen is a special story teller that can create a fascinating world from the mundane. But just give him a cause and a group of eccentric characters and he is off spinning an incredible tale that is impossible to stop reading, impossible not to laugh and always leaves you wishing for more. This book was a joy to read, I look forward to his next adventure.
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Summary: Big trouble in orchid city
Review: The only thing that aggravates me more than CITES is an accurate book on how truly awful the situation really is. Having mired through the CITES mess as it relates to orchids for several years now, I was surprised to find so many other growers in the same boat. The author presents a cogent expose of the magnitude of the problem, both in terms of how many people are affected by it, but by how those allegedly working to conserve these species are often ignorant, corrupt, or thieves themselves. This book is said to have researched this subject for seven years; having read the book and, based on what I know from acquaintences and my own personal research on the subject, I have found it to be absolutely accurate- more than can be said about similar books, best left nameless. Hansen has produced a book that would outwardly appear to be dull-as-dishwater boring, but I managed to consume it in 5 hours. It is alarming that a book on a subject so esoteric as laws concerning orchid "conservation" should be so accurate, particularly from someone who would appear to be from outside the realm. I would recommend this book to those involved in rare plant horticulture, orchids in general, and those involved with CITES, conservation, or other environmental concerns.
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Summary: Beware orchid collectors
Review: Who would believe that dealing in orchids can be as dangerous as running drugs in Columbia? If you collect orchids, beware. The "orchid police" are watching and you may be subject to a midnight raid.Mr. Hansen has written a story every bit as riveting as a bestselling mystery. And his cast of characters is unforgettable.Read this book. Tell your friends about it. And buy your next orchid with greatcare.
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Summary: From an Amateur Orchid Grower
Review: Eric Hansen takes you on journeys around the world and back again as he points out the trials, tribulations, obsessions, repossessions of orchids. The book is not only full of humor and suspense, but it is a wonderful reference for botanical gardens, books, people, etc. I only put the book down to sleep and go to work. I think my most common statement throughout was "oh my god!" The verbal visualization of the world's most exotic plants to the irrational acts of the people with "power" to the lengths people will go to save a plant simply made me say "oh my god" over and over again. It's a must read!
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Summary: Orchid Fever
Review: "In my 40 years as an orchid scientist, author and book editor, I have never read anything quite like ORCHID FEVER. It is part absurdist black humor and part horticultural expose. Mr. Hansen displays a rare talent for capturing the allure of orchids, describing the dubious characters who lurk in the shadows, and exposing the small handful of self-appointed power brokers who rule the orchid world. Frightening, funny and full of tantalizing insider knowledge. And yes...there are strange and wonderful stories about orchids as well. I have a distinct feeling that what was left unsaid about several people is much more interesting than what was written. I look forward to a no holds barred second edition."Dr. Joseph Arditti Editor, Orchid Biology Irvine
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Summary: Orchid Apartheid
Review: Eric Hansen's book is a complete revelation of how ill-informed authorities would go to any length to persecute and prosecute often innocent people whose only fault it is to love and cherish orchids. Hansen authoratatively demonstrates how paper pushing, so-called botanists, often misguided, with little or no first hand experience, other than what is given to them through the grapevine put their feet into their own mouth. In many ways their collective acts together with ill-informed administrators in IUCN, and CITES, that proclaim to act in the interest of conservation, can only be termed as a form of Orchid-Apertheid. A sad state of affairs for all scientists round the globe, who are caught in the brutal, sophisticated and shortsighted machination of a group of self proclaimed authorites in charge, whose own records in the past is often deplorable. Individuals such as Cribb, Eric Hagstar, Vogel, van Vliet, are grim reminders of the dark age self-proclaimed do-goodies, that in the in their own interst sent many innocent victims to their death. As an individual who has travelled to the remote corners of the world several times, and with no active interst in orchids, I endorse Hansen's comments on the shallow understanding, and narrow-minded group of officials and botanists who unfortunately seem to have the upper-hand. I congradulate Hansen for his frank revelations of the blot clouding the orchid world. A sad story, about which the perpetrators should try to learn from, and be ashamed of their own acts in the past, and even present.
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Summary: EXTREMELY WELL DONE
Review: This is a good one and I highly recommend it. The author's style and syntax is wonderful and makes for an easy read. The book is extremely informative. I have delt in this area for years, i.e. orchids, and know for a fact, if anything, the author has down played the infighting, the horrible and insave government regulations, et al. Wheather or not you are into orchids, or even plants, this is an interesting read, very entertaining. This is one you should add to your collection. Thank you Mr Hansen!
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Summary: Less than expected
Review: I read a large segment of this book while stranded in the English Channel but found myself somewhat disinterested in the content which seemed to have an overwhelming focus on the regulations involving orchids. I was expecting a bit more of the focus to be on the amalgamation of people and their orchids but felt that overall, this book came up short in that department. I was spoiled by the first chapter "Journey to Fire Mountain" and hoped the following chapters would be similar; however, the emphasis gradually drifted away from becoming more acquainted with the fascinating people and their orchids and more to the more bureaucratic aspect. I recommend The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan for additional reading or as an alternative.
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Summary: Biased Journalism
Review: Hansen is a reporter who makes a guy boading a plane with orchids hidden inside his clothes sound like a nice man, while making environmental agencies sound evil. He spends many pages letting likely criminals tell their stories, while providing only a brief and biased view of the people trying to stop them. It's an entertaining story, but it's false. Please read Susan Orlean's "Orchid Thief" instead.
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