Nature's Colony
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- Praise
- About the Author
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Established in 1859, Singaporeās Botanic Gardens has been importantĀ as a park for Singaporeans and visitors, a scientific institution, and asĀ an economic testing ground and launchpad for tropical plantationĀ agriculture around the world.
Initially conceived to exploit nature for the benefit of empire, theĀ Gardens were part of a symbolic struggle by administrators, scientists,Ā and gardeners to assert dominance within Southeast Asiaās tropicalĀ landscape, reflecting shifting understandings of power, science andĀ nature among local administrators and distant mentors in Britain. WithĀ the independence of Singapore, the Gardens has had to find a newĀ role, first in the āgreeningā of post-independence Singapore, and nowĀ as Singapore's first World Heritage Site.
Setting the Singapore gardens alongside the Royal Botanic Gardens,Ā Kew and botanic gardens in India, Ceylon, Mauritius and the WestĀ Indies, this book tells the story of natureās colony ā a place whereĀ plants were collected, classified and cultivated to change ourĀ understanding of the region and world.Ā
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āNatureās ColonyĀ is a fascinating exploration of Singaporeās long-established botanical garden. For visitors since colonial times, the Garden has been a tranquil window into Southeast Asiaās biodiversity. The book conjures up both the changing romantic visions and the scientific imperatives that inspired the Gardenās curators. The book also takes us behind the fringe of leaves into scientific politics and the politics of Singapore society during its many transformations. Genially written and rich in anecdote, this book will enchant both historians and general readers.ā -Ā Robert Cribb,Ā Professor of Asian History, School of Culture History and Language, Australian National University
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Timothy P. BarnardĀ is associate professor in the Department of History at the National University of Singapore. He is the editor ofĀ Nature Contained: Environmental Histories of SingaporeĀ andĀ Contesting Malayness: Malay Identity Across Boundaries, also published by NUS Press.
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Description
- Description
- Praise
- About the Author
-
Established in 1859, Singaporeās Botanic Gardens has been importantĀ as a park for Singaporeans and visitors, a scientific institution, and asĀ an economic testing ground and launchpad for tropical plantationĀ agriculture around the world.
Initially conceived to exploit nature for the benefit of empire, theĀ Gardens were part of a symbolic struggle by administrators, scientists,Ā and gardeners to assert dominance within Southeast Asiaās tropicalĀ landscape, reflecting shifting understandings of power, science andĀ nature among local administrators and distant mentors in Britain. WithĀ the independence of Singapore, the Gardens has had to find a newĀ role, first in the āgreeningā of post-independence Singapore, and nowĀ as Singapore's first World Heritage Site.
Setting the Singapore gardens alongside the Royal Botanic Gardens,Ā Kew and botanic gardens in India, Ceylon, Mauritius and the WestĀ Indies, this book tells the story of natureās colony ā a place whereĀ plants were collected, classified and cultivated to change ourĀ understanding of the region and world.Ā
-
āNatureās ColonyĀ is a fascinating exploration of Singaporeās long-established botanical garden. For visitors since colonial times, the Garden has been a tranquil window into Southeast Asiaās biodiversity. The book conjures up both the changing romantic visions and the scientific imperatives that inspired the Gardenās curators. The book also takes us behind the fringe of leaves into scientific politics and the politics of Singapore society during its many transformations. Genially written and rich in anecdote, this book will enchant both historians and general readers.ā -Ā Robert Cribb,Ā Professor of Asian History, School of Culture History and Language, Australian National University
-
Timothy P. BarnardĀ is associate professor in the Department of History at the National University of Singapore. He is the editor ofĀ Nature Contained: Environmental Histories of SingaporeĀ andĀ Contesting Malayness: Malay Identity Across Boundaries, also published by NUS Press.
