New books by Thomas Powell and Betty Earl

**"* M* <B*@verizon.net>**

If you write book reviews, I offer you review copies of my two new 
publications.

1. My newest book is by New York editor and writer Thomas Powell, for over 
forty years the editor and publisher of "The Avant Gardener" newsletter. He 
has been a member of GWA for longer than that. It is a humorous memoir 
called "Aphid in my Eye: Adventures in the Orchid Trade," set in the 
nineteen fifties and sixties. He and his wife Betty were just starting out 
in horticulture when they were drawn headlong into the high flying world of 
orchids, in the days before tissue culture and mechanized greenhouses made 
the world's most beautiful flower available to all. The cast of 
orchid-obsessed characters in this book range from super rich, even titled 
customers to explorers, breeders, lecturers, judges, growers, and 
professional orchidists of all sorts. This is a story of the heights of 
Mother Nature and the wild ways of human nature, especially as seen in plant 
societies. "Aphid in my Eye" is something like Mad Men for plant nerds.

I just got the proof copy today and should be getting the books from the 
printer in a week or two. Also, I am looking for a couple of New York area 
people to help Tom celebrate the new book with a friendly brunch near 2nd 
Ave and the eighties in NYC near his place. Ellen and Ellen, how about it?

2. Betty Earl's book, "Fairy Gardens: A Guide to Growing an Enchanted 
Miniature World," came out in April with over a hundred color photos of 
fairy houses, gardens, and plants. In it she tells what fairy gardens are 
and how to make and care for them, relates fairy lore, tells how to work 
with kids on the fairy garden projects, introduces plants associated with 
fairies, and describes miniature plants for fairy gardens, indoors or out. 
There is information on building or buying accessories, too. Some of you 
have seen it already. Betty is a list member and GWA member and a great 
horticulturist.

There is info on these and other books at www.mackeybooks.com

For a review copy, email me off list and say which book. Give me your snail 
mail address and tell me where you might publish a review. Also, if you 
think you might like to join Tom and me for a brunch in early August, write 
to me off list.

betty@mackeybooks.com

Thanks, everyone!

Betty Mackey, Publisher

B. B. Mackey Books

www.mackeybooks.com

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