Graham Harvey: The Forgiveness of Nature: The story of grass

By MARGIE THOMSON

Here is a substantial book about the stuff that is so ubiquitous, so insistent, that we scarcely accord it any significance at all: grass.

Yet, writes Harvey, in fact it is full of symbolism and meaning, denoting "a spirit of independence ... a sort of visual shorthand suggesting robust individualism and lives uncluttered by social niceties". Hmmm.

But we can't deny it has a florid history, implicated in early human trade, wealth and prosperity, the grasslands the "foundation of modern capitalism".

Today, it shapes our cultural life, civilising our cities and providing the suburbs with a glimpse of Arcadia. Heady stuff, and fascinating: a graceful, green romp through history.

Jonathan Cape

$64.95