Driven by the increasing necessity to define the biological diversity frame of widespread, endemic and threatened species, as well as by the stimulating chance to describe new species, the study of the evolutive and spatial dynamics is in constant execution. Systematic overviews, biogeographic and phylogenic backgrounds, species composition and distribution in restricted areas are focal topics of the 15 interesting independent chapters collected in this book, chosen to offer to the reader an overall view of the present condition in which our planet is.

Plants of the World is the first book to systematically explore every vascular plant family on earth—more than four hundred and fifty of them—organized in a modern phylogenetic order. Detailed entries for each family include descriptions, distribution, evolutionary relationships, and fascinating information on economic uses of plants and etymology of their names. All entries are also copiously illustrated in full color with more than 2,500 stunning photographs. A collaboration among three celebrated botanists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plants of the World is authoritative, comprehensive, and beautiful. Covering everything from ferns to angiosperms, it will be an essential resource for practicing botanists, horticulturists, and nascent green thumbs alike.

This is a magic book of profound love. It’s about Begonia plants, about the life of a respectable botanist, Dr. Ching-I Peng, and about the legacies he left to this world. You may be amazed by the beauty of Begonia or curious about why many people take afancy to Begonia. Here in this book, Dr. Peng, a leading scholar in the field of Begonia diversity and evolution, will show you why. Somewhat like a travelogue, this book is the product of the author’s many expeditions to the wilderness. Anyone intent on scientific research or curious about how a botanic scientist works will be fascinated by Dr. Peng's wild stories recorded here with wit and humor—and wisdom. The book contains the gist of Dr. Peng's many talks, in which he shared his precious knowledge of Begonia to young scientists. Because of his passion and unselfishness, the real magic––sciences––can move on continuously. His love of Begonia can be passed on to future generations throughout the world. A real magic book, All for love: Endless trekking in search of Begonia will surely delight specialists as well as laymen. Dr. Shih-Hui Liu Assistant Professor Department of Biological Sciences National Sun Yat-sen University

The last half century witnessed a dramatic change in the geographic, ethnographic, and socioeconomic structure of Asian American communities. While traditional enclaves were strengthened by waves of recent immigrants, native-born Asian Americans also created new urban and suburban areas. Asian America is the first comprehensive look at post-1960s Asian American communities in the United States and Canada. From Chinese Americans in Chicagoland to Vietnamese Americans in Orange County, this multi-disciplinary collection spans a wide comparative and panoramic scope. Contributors from an array of academic fields focus on global views of Asian American communities as well as on territorial and cultural boundaries. Presenting groundbreaking perspectives, Asian America revises worn assumptions and examines current challenges Asian American communities face in the twenty-first century.