From apples and stone fruits to exotic longans and cape gooseberries, Blackburne-Maze's opus concisely traces the cultivation and cultural aspects of sweet-flavored fruits. Viewed in light of a resurgence of interest in heritage fruits, much of the material contained here should prove timely to gardeners and others concerned with plant life biodiversity. As he writes about where fruits originated, how they developed, varied uses, and ancient legends, Blackburne-Maze complements his narrative with illustrations depicting the alluring spectrum of forms and colors of scores of fruits. Artists"biographies round out an effective, visually gratifying contribution to gardening literature. Alice Joyce
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