Oranges - Couverture souple

'A classic of American reportage . . . a meeting point of zest, pith, colour, fruit, sweetness and acid.' (Julian Barnes)

Inspired by the glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice he bought every day on his morning commute, Pulitzer-Prize-winner John McPhee takes us on a remarkable journey in search of the world's most popular fruit.

With his trademark style and enchanting wit, he unravels the rich history and fascinating cultivation of this botanical marvel. Beginning with the fruit's origins in Southeast Asia, McPhee travels from the great orangeries of Andalucia, and through the endless groves in Florida. Along the way he introduces the people whose livelihood depends on the world's insatiable demand for the fruit: orange pickers, a citrus scientist, and an orange baron worth over $20 million.

In his inimitable and endlessly compelling prose, McPhee reveals the story behind this extraordinary fruit. Your morning glass of juice will never be the same.

John McPhee has published more than thirty books and much of his work first appeared in the pages of The New Yorker, where he has been a staff writer since 1963. He is a four-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, winning in 1999 for Annals of the Former World. McPhee teach¬es non-fiction writing at Princeton University.

Richard Mabey is a naturalist and award-winning author and journalist. He is the author of His works include The Cabaret of Plants, Nature Cure, and Flora Britannica. He is an active member of national and local conservation groups and lives in Norfolk.