This is a serious book for lovers of tropical plants. The scholarship is impeccable, and the breadth extraordinary. Unlike most books out there for the lay person, this book is arranged by taxonomic family, rather than the usual arrangement by life form or - (gasp!) - flower color. Not since A. Graff's Exotica have we had a picture book that also has a solid taxonomic basis. Moreover this is not just a book of pretty pictures; the description of each species is detailed and really useful. I am really impressed with this work. Also, it is superb value for money. ( )