Virgin Earth: A Novel (2) (Tradescant Novels) Paperback – April 5, 2006

Superb novel about John Tradescant, the royal gardener who traveled to Virginia during the early days of the Jamestown colony and brought many of the native plants of the "New World" back home. At least one Virginia plant is named for him: "Tradescantia Virginiana." There are wonderful descriptions of the early days of the Jamestown colony, the Powhatan who were quickly wiped out by the European settlers, and the brutal English Civil War. The divided loyalties of the main character both in Virginia and back home are a persistent theme throughout the novel. There is much drama on both sides of the Atlantic during this period and the author makes them all come alive. As a gardener myself, I found the descriptions of propagation, royal gardening, and the challenges of transporting Virginia species over the Atlantic on multi-week journeys in the 17th century fascinating. I gave this book to my landscaper in Virginia, who also loved it! There also many descriptions of the Tradescants' collection of "rarities" which were shown to the public (for a fee), eventually becoming the basis of the Ashmolean Museum at Oxford.http://www.ashmolean.org/ash/amulets/tradescant/tradescant00.html

Well written. Interesting material, focussing on plant history and royal succession. A plausible and personalised account, fiction based on real people and events. Informative and engaging.

John Tradescant,the younger - lived during the Tudor period and was gardner and botanist to King Charles I and his wife, Queen Henrietta.Into this compelling story of adventure, heartbreak and sculldugery, Phillipa Gregory (admittedly my favorite writer of historical novels) has not only told the story of Tradescant and his life and times, his travels to the Virginia colony in search of plants and trees to introduce to England but gives the reader a vivid account of English history at that time.. This is a work of fiction with a huge dose of historical fact.Caution: Once you start to read "The Virgin Earth" you will find it difficult to put it down until you have reached the last page..

The characters much to my surprise are real. I did not find this out until after I read the book. So it stands as interesting on many levels. It also helps to make the period of Charles I to Cromwell and then to Charles II inteligible and interesting in a period of history that is hard to follow. Happy reading.

Not her usual. I would skip this book, which is frustrating and unsatisfying, and read The Wise Woman orThe White Queen - both excellent. I love most of her work except for the Red Queen and this. Wonderful writer but so many great ones just not these.

I had read this book years ago and looked up all sorts of information about the main character------the book is based on a real person. When I looked it up on Amazon and found it available at a reasonable price, I ordered it as a gift for my sister, who is a really serious gardener. My husband and I re-read it before we gave it to her and liked it just as much as the first time we read it. Fascinating history of gardening and realistic portrayal of people, even though it is fiction. If you are a gardener, and like the history of gardening, this is a "must read".

Great sequel to Earthly Joys although I didn't find John Tradescant the younger as fascinating a character as John the elder who's life is explored in the prequel. Fascinating insights into the Powhatan tribal life, the early colonization of America and the British civil war. All in all a great read.

I love all of Philippa Gregory's books, but though this one did not seem like it would measure up to her later ones about English royals, it was a wonderful surprise. Beautifully written and detailed, it explores the joys of nature and the great power of love. It is one of my top favorite of Philippa's books and without giving the story away, suffice to say it is unusual and may not be for everyone, but it is extremely touching and it haunts me still....

Always interesting

I am liking the book. I read the first book in the series and was happy to get this one to read.

I read it

...for me Philips Gregory has become a guarantee for a good read. Just a handful remaining to read. Many thanks

Das Buch ist fazinierend, ich hatte Mühe, es wieder aus der Hand zu legen. Die Qualität des Taschenbuches entsprach der Beschreibung ( geringe Gebrauchsspuren. Die Lieferzeit war allerdings sehr lang.