"Jerry makes it look so easy. Every time I open this book, my camera gets heavier." -- Daniel Arnold Legendary skateboarder and artist Jerry Hsu started his blog NAZI GOLD in 2009 as a repository for the cell phone photos he'd been collecting alongside his more traditional photography and film practices: shots of friends and strangers, roadside curiosities, and anything else that seemed to merit instant sharing with both peers and the public. In the ensuing years, the site grew from an exercise in visual note-taking into a uniquely hysterical embodiment of both Hsu's keen artistic sense and his razor-sharp wit. Documenting his journeys through the high and low trappings of our culture, Hsu's work captures everything from bootleg t-shirts and bathroom stall graffiti to unexpected truths and the occasional startling moment of humanity. An unerringly creative and endlessly clever chronicle of the deep ironies of our modern world, The Beautiful Flower Is the World, now in a lush hardcover second edition, collects the best of Hsu's blog photography into a compelling and immersive whole.

A globe-trotting, behind-the-scenes look at the dazzling world of flowers and the fascinating industry it has created. Award-winning author Amy Stewart takes readers on an around-the-world, behind-the-scenes look at the flower industry and how it has sought—for better or worse—to achieve perfection. She tracks down the hybridizers, geneticists, farmers, and florists working to invent, manufacture, and sell flowers that are bigger, brighter, and sturdier than anything nature can provide. There's a scientist intent on developing the first genetically modified blue rose; an eccentric horticultural legend who created the most popular lily; a breeder of gerberas of every color imaginable; and an Ecuadorean farmer growing exquisite roses, the floral equivalent of a Tiffany diamond. And, at every turn she discovers the startling intersection of nature and technology, of sentiment and commerce.

Beautiful Flowers for Kids Table of Contents Introduction Chapter 1 Cherry Blossoms Dahlias Bleeding heart Chapter 2 Canna Roses Tulips Chapter 3 White Lotus Lily of the Valley Oriental poppy Plumerias Conclusion Author Bio Introduction Flowers are a beautiful part of nature’s great diversity, and have delighted the human race for thousands of years. And because of their adaptable nature, flowers have been used in many ways. Did you know some flowers used to be so valuable they cost more than gold? Yes, they did! Today, there are many varieties of flowers around the world. They fill our lives with color, and joy and help us find a silver lining behind every dark cloud. You may know some of them very well. But others may be unfamiliar to you. In this book, we will examine ten beautiful kinds of flowers to discover what makes each one unique. Are you ready to get started? Then review the list before we begin: 1-Cherry Blossoms 2-Dahlias 3-Bleeding Heart 4-Canna 5-Roses 6-Tulips 7-White Lotus 8-Lilly of the Valley 9-Oriental poppy 10-Frangipani (Plumeria) Each variety of flowers in this list brings beauty and happiness to our lives. They also help us to live in a better way. How so? Well, for thousands of years flowers have been used for medicinal purposes, so in a literal way they have helped many people. Some flowers also have historical value; others are considered sacred and many are used in religious ceremonies. What about when someone is sick or not feeling well? Don’t we give them flowers to cheer them up? Or perhaps you use flowers for other special occasions in your life. There is also something else flowers are well known for. Have you guessed it? That’s right! Their sweet scent. Many flowers have a strong smell, others have a softer smell and some have no smell at all! That’s one side of the coin, but on the other…did you know some flowers smell like rotten meat? Does that sound awful? But even this scent fulfills a purpose and helps nature to thrive. Ultimately, flowers are a delightful part of nature’s wonders. So whether sweet or ‘rotten,’ take a moment and dive into the amazing world of colorful plants!