The Chocolate Tree: A Natural History of Cacao

This is a really interesting book that focuses on the natural history of cacao (as the title implies). The author explores in depth the sorts of ecological requirements of cacao, its role in the rainforest, and its interaction with other organisms. The author conducted research in Costa Rica and ran several experiments on cacao; this is fascinating to read about.This sets us up for a very intriguing conclusion- that cacao farmers who grow small clumps of cacao trees amid rainforest-like conditions or even in genuine rainforest and wild lands can sustain a higher pollinator population and thereby make their lesser number of trees more productive. This agricultural model would guarantee the long-term sustainability of both the crop, promotes conservation, reduces the risk of disease, and help preserve key habitat and ecological diversity.

Not really what I expected but intresting non the less

This amazing book is the beginning to understand the cacao biology and its cultivation. Today's scientists are replicating some of Young’s pollination experiments in cacao.

Excellent book on the subject. My husband is cultivating cacao plants and this book was very helpful.

Everypage was printed upside down. They are in order from the front of the book to the back, but every page is upside down. SO if you turn the book over and try to read the pages start with the highest numbered page and decrease.

This book is very aptly titled. It is exactly a natural history of the cocoa tree, a biography of a plant. I've never read a book quite like this before- -an entire book written about the detailed life cycle, evolution, and economic uses of a single plant. Although the book covers all aspects of the cocoa tree, it does emphasize the author's research on the pollinators of the cocoa tree. It was fascinating to learn how difficult it is to cultivate this rain forest plant commercially, and the science behind why it is difficult to do so. The book is written in an academic style with many citations to the published literature on the cocoa tree. The book also includes a listing of common names and scientific names for all plants and animals mentioned in the text. Despite the academic bent, the book is written for general audiences, and is not too technical. Anyone with a deep interest in the cultivation of cocoa will be interested in this book, as well as anyone with a general interest in the botany of the tropical rainforest.

If you are interested in learning about the natural history of the cacao tree then this book is essential reading. However, if you are not a scientist then you will find it hard going at times. There is a lot of information in this book but no easy way to discover it without reading every page. The author tells the story of cacao almost like a travelogue, and the book lacks a summary section at the end of each chapter of the findings, theories and conclusions of the author. But, these criticisms aside, I would still recommend The Chocolate Tree to anyone wanting to understand more of the science behind cacao. All the information about the development of the cacao tree from its wild origins in the rainforest to modern day plantations is fascinating, as are Allen's experiments to find out why natural pollination levels of cacao trees are so low. Stick with the book and you will be rewarded, but the author could have made it much more accessible. One last point - there is an excellent bibliography at the end which will be welcome for anyone wishing to read further into the subject.

If you are interested in learning about the natural history of the cacao tree then this book is essential reading. However, if you are not a scientist then you will find it hard going at times. There is a lot of information in this book but no easy way to discover it without reading every page. The author tells the story of cacao almost like a travelogue, and the book lacks a summary section at the end of each chapter of the findings, theories and conclusions of the author. But, these criticisms aside, I would still recommend The Chocolate Tree to anyone wanting to understand more of the science behind cacao. All the information about the development of the cacao tree from its wild origins in the rainforest to modern day plantations is fascinating, as are Allen's experiments to find out why natural pollination levels of cacao trees are so low. Stick with the book and you will be rewarded, but the author could have made it much more accessible. One last point - there is an excellent bibliography at the end which will be welcome for anyone wishing to read further into the subject.

This is a masterful account of the natural history of cacao. Young weaves his personal experiences as a cacao researcher into this beautifully written book. Anyone interested not just in chocolate and cacao, but ecology and natural history should read this. Highly recommended

I liked the information about the origins of chocolate;and the difficulties of growing and production.

Very good book, small but informative.

Informative