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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Oranges is a narrative nonfiction book written by John McPhee in 1966. I picked this book up at a used-book sale mostly because I greatly enjoyed other McPhee books I read in the 1970s and 1980s. |
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“A John McPhee classic. McPhee will find a (sometimes) random topic that interests him - research it really well - and write a book. Great talent as a researcher and author.
KWR wrote this review Friday, January 6, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
If you, dear reader, enjoy lots of facts and data, then you will enjoy this. ”“A good book, but not as engrossing as others.”
Jamie C. Collier wrote this review Wednesday, October 12, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“As usual, McPhee can take what may at first glance appear to be a mundane topic and uncover fascinating details and information and tell a great story. Citrus has an interesting genetically quality that can allow oranges to grow from lime seeds. Oranges began their migration from the Malay peninsula, was taken by the Muslims to Europe and from there to the Americas. This book originally started as a magazine article, but the data accumulated beyond magazine sized. It is amazing how much oranges are buried, in plain view, of our history. Oranges painted erroneously into religious scenes by renaissance artists and taken into family crests by European nobility. Oranges are an amazing fruit as this book will explain.”
Kenn S wrote this review Sunday, February 27, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Great book”
Ree C wrote this review Sunday, July 11, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“My favorite of McPhee's books. Short and sweet.”
Edward B wrote this review Tuesday, December 22, 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No1 of 1 members found this review helpful“Oranges is a narrative nonfiction book written by John McPhee in 1966. I picked this book up at a used-book sale mostly because I greatly enjoyed other McPhee books I read in the 1970s and 1980s.
Jonathan T wrote this review Sunday, October 12, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
These would include The John McPhee Reader (collection, 1977) ISBN 0-374-17992-1, Giving Good Weight (collection, 1979) ISBN 0-374-16306-5 and The Control of Nature (1989) ISBN 0-374-12890-1. I also picked it up because I live in Florida, I love orange Florida orange juice.
As with most John McPhee the inclusion of well-detailed characters, well-research details and obscure but interesting facts make the book very readable. The title of the book is Oranges and that is also the topic of the book, although more specifically it concentrates on Florida oranges. It covers all aspects of oranges as they traveled from China through Europe and eventually to Florida as well cultivation and marketing of Florida oranges. My description is quite dry but John McPhee makes the story of oranges very juicy.
The book is over 40 years old and was written before Mickey moved to Orlando and when oranges instead dominated central Florida. Nevertheless the book does not feel dated but I would like to know how what has happened to the industry in the last 4 decades.
The book is about 150 pages. I read it straight through in a few hours. I would recommend it those who enjoy reading New Yorker articles and those interested in historic writing about Florida.
John McPhee is a nonfiction writing instructor at Princeton University and he won a Pulitzer prize in 1999,
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“I was not only gripped, absorbed, and fascinated by this book on a citrus fruit, I even re-read it. McPhee makes me want to be a non-fiction essayist, too.”
Eli T wrote this review Sunday, July 13, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Good for reading. Inspiring some for people.
Sharon Chang wrote this review Monday, February 18, 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Thanks for summary and good comment.”
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