Putting Down Roots tells the origin story of Boyce Thompson Arboretum. A unique narrator explains the geological events and the depravity of the Indian wars that set the stage for the arrival of a mining magnate: Colonel William Boyce Thompson. We learn of the seminal moment that triggered Thompson’s desire to end world hunger; at the same time conserving and beautifying the environment. The theme of roots is at the heart of the entire book: the importance of shade from a nurse tree as a young saguaro takes root; the tragic consequences of ripping the Apache from their ancestral roots; the search by European immigrants for a place to call home; the yearning of the Colonel for his childhood in Alder Gulch, where his deep connection with the earth first germinated. It comes as no surprise that Professor Crider, the original director of the Arboretum, was an expert in the study of roots. Putting Down Roots explores the history of a cherished piece of land. It reveals her secrets, celebrates her triumphs and grieves the premature death of a visionary called Thompson.
สารบัญ
The book consists of
- introduction of a fictional narrator: a saguaro cactus called Gustopher Short Pants
- setting the stage on which a reknowned Arboretum would be built. This inclused chapters describing ancient geological events and Indian wars’
- discussion of the brief history of homesteading in Arizona
- introduction of the main protagonist, William Boyce Thompson, from his early years growing up in the Montana frontier to his triumph as a copper mining magnate.
- Discussion of his philanthropy and the seminal moment that changed his life.
- Discussion of Thompson’s quest to solve world hunger by initiating the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research and the Boyce Thompson Arboretum.in Superior Arizona
- Exploration of his character and generosity and sense of fairplay as exemplified by his befriending of an Apache medicine man
- Discussion of his personal health problems and premature death and it’s effect on his projects.
เกี่ยวกับผู้แต่ง
Family physician, parent and grandparent, retired professional golfer, author, speaker, transgender rights advocate