“Demons in Eden is a grand scientific narrative, full of vivid description, clear analysis, and personal warmth—an enthralling read and an important contribution to our understanding of biodiversity.” Oliver Sacks

“An inspiring tour through the sheer wonder of plant life and the key ideas on how plant diversity came about. This book takes us inside the grand theatre of plant diversity—and also asks how we would like the current act to end.” Peter Crane, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

“In a sequence of cameos each as invigorating as a stroll in a mountain meadow, with marvelous clarity and wit Jonathan Silvertown entices us on a quest...." Peter Ashton, Harvard University

“Demons in Eden is a riveting account of the effort to understand—and to stop—the tragic loss of plant species throughout the world. Like a botanical ... a compelling journey to the very frontiers of science that hold the answer to one of the most crucial questions of our age: why is nature disappearing and what can we do about it?” Paul Alan Cox

Reviews in full

Bonus Chapter

Read/edit the Wikipedia entry for the book

There is a paradox at the heart of the theory of evolution

Natural selection favours above all the particular individual that leaves the most offspring – a super-organism that might be called the Darwinian Demon. If it existed, this theoretical ogre would populate the world with only its own kind and would extinguish all diversity.

• Why, then, has evolution manifestly filled the world with diversity and not demons?
• What keeps Darwinian demons in check?
• Can they be let loose by human actions, or even be created by genetic manipulation?

• What is the future of biodiversity in a world now so dominated by one species – our own?

Demons in Eden is a work of popular science which explores these questions using the latest scientific theories and discoveries of evolutionary biology and ecology applied to plants.

Last updated May 29, 2006

Text © Jonathan Silvertown, Photographs © Mike Dodd