2737 Anna Pavord (b. 1940) – The Tulip: The Story of a Flower That Drove Men Mad (1999)

This beautifully produced and richly illustrated book tells the extraordinary story of the tulip — a flower that stirred greed, desire, anxiety, and devotion. It is not a gardening manual, but a cultural and historical journey through the tulip’s symbolic power and its role in shaping politics, economics, religion, and social behavior across centuries. From its origins in Turkey to its stormy reception in Western Europe, Pavord traces the tulip’s evolution into a global phenomenon. The book combines in-depth historical research with stunning visuals, offering a compelling narrative that appeals to collectors, historians, and flower lovers alike.