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Oranges

Description:

A classic of reportage, Oranges was first conceived as a short magazine article about oranges and orange juice, but the author kept encountering so much irresistible information that he eventually found that he had in fact written a book. It contains sketches of orange growers, orange botanists, orange pickers, orange packers, early settlers on Florida's Indian River, the first orange barons, modern concentrate makers, and a fascinating profile of Ben Hill Griffin of Frostproof, Florida who may be the last of the individual orange barons. McPhee's astonishing book has an almost narrative progression, is immensely readable, and is frequently amusing. Louis XIV hung tapestries of oranges in the halls of Versailles, because oranges and orange trees were the symbols of his nature and his reign. This book, in a sense, is a tapestry of oranges, too―with elements in it that range from the great orangeries of European monarchs to a custom of people in the modern Caribbean who split oranges and clean floors with them, one half in each hand.


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

While many readers are familiar with John McPhee's masterful pieces on a large scale (the geological history of North America, or the nature of Alaska), McPhee is equally remarkable when he considers the seemingly inconsequential. Oranges was conceived as a short magazine piece, but thanks to his unparalleled investigative skills, became a slim, fact-filled book. As McPhee chronicles orange farmers struggling with frost and horticulturists' new breeds of citrus, oranges come to seem a microcosm of man's relationship with nature.

Like Flemish miniaturists who reveal the essence of humankind within the confines of a tiny frame, McPhee once again demonstrates that the smallest topic is replete with history, significance, and consequence.

Review

“Fascinating. A sterling example of what a fresh point of view, a clear style, a sense of humor and diligent investigation can do to reveal the inherent interest in something as taken-for-granted as your morning orange juice.” ―Edmund Fuller, The Wall Street Journal

“It is a delicious book, in a word, and more absorbing than many a novel.” ―
Roderick Cook, Harper's

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fruit, Economics, Agriculture and History Made Fascinating

C.E. · March 28, 2012

I picked up this book because I was traveling to Florida and wanted something . . . . Florida-ish. Good pick! John McPhee, a New Yorker stalwart and author of at least 25 books, started out to write a New Yorker article on the subject of the orange industry in 1966 and ended up material with enough to create a book, which became Oranges. This particular edition came out in 2000 and bears a preface by the author, which explains his early career with The New Yorker and how and why the book got written. The text itself is not updated or appended to register changes in the industry since the mid-1960s, but that's okay. This is a surprisingly compelling and atmospheric narrative, even though it is fact-packed with economics and agricultural statistics.McPhee's inspiration was simply that he liked orange juice and wanted to find out where it came from. That took him to Florida where he found scientists, growers, and the entire history of a piece of fruit most of us take for granted, a native of China that was unknown in the Holy Land and the Western hemisphere at the time of Christ, that would not make it to the Americas until Columbus. For all its ubiquity in the modern world, citrus is a temperamental plant that requires particular soil and climatic conditions, not to mention careful grafting to maintain true products. There are many varieties of oranges--not just seedy, seedless and tangerine--and across history they have been valued by kings and inspired poetry. Ponce de Leon may have introduced them to the Florida mainland in the 16th century, to sustain troops. The coming of the railroad and improved shipping popularized the fruit produced in the Jacksonville, St. John's River basin and Indian River regions (northern and central Florida) in the 19th century, and an international industry was born. Fast forward to the 1960s and McPhee puts the reader in the midst of a highly evolved industry populated with creative entrepreneurs and scientists and power brokers who might be kings.McPhee concludes his tour at a time when juice concentrate is king in America. This book could benefit from a coda updating how the trends for organic and fresh ("never from concentrate," my bottle brags) have affected the industry, as well as the real estate development that has overrun former growing areas.

4.0 out of 5 stars Sunshine in your Glass

u. · January 12, 2018

For those of us who have had a glass of orange juice nearly every day of our lives, it is rather fascinating to learn a bit about the history and quality control of the modern industry that brings that delicacy to our kitchen. This is one of McPhee's earliest books, so it is a bit dated. But that doesn't matter. McPhee is such a talented writer and he packs so much information and insight in to a small book that it is well worth reading even though a half century has passed since it was first published. The ancient history of the fruit is still germane, and the description of the technological breakthroughs that brought us flash frozen, "concentrate", and flavor packs are still fascinating and relevant. Also, gaining a feeling for the many varieties of oranges, the weather and predator challenges faced by orange growers, and the rise of massive corporate producers as well as the place for some remaining family farms is worth placing in perspective.McPhee started with the simple joy of a small vendor peeling fresh oranges in the old Pennsylvania Station in New York City. Savoring an orange is still far more satisfying than drinking a technologically synthesized universal product, although that is what the vast majority of people settle for in this fast moving world.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book if you like oranges

J.i.C. · February 27, 2024

This book will tell you where everything there is to know about oranges, including the vast number of varieties, how they are grown and other information. It's pretty old, but still useful. And the author is an excellent writer.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book

S.A.L. · February 18, 2024

This book is so much fun to read!It is well written with information about oranges and I wanted to learn about!

4.0 out of 5 stars Who Knew?

M. · June 2, 2014

I love oranges, but there may not be many people who could make reading about them so interesting. There are two things to be said: McPhee is a wonderful writer; and this book, originally written in the 1960s, tells you pretty much everything you need to know about oranges. (Did YOU know that most orange trees are not grown from orange seeds, and may grow from trunks of different citrus trees entirely--lemon, say? Did you know that in the 1960s, the annual orange crop in Florida alone was around 25 billion-with-a-b oranges? Have you ever heard of degrees Brix? And so on.) McPhee knows more about oranges than I thought was knowable except to an orange grower, and his writing is so good that you end up wishing he'd move all the way up and down the food pyramid, just because your meals would then be so much more interesting. But he does write on other topics. Read those books, too.

5.0 out of 5 stars I would not have picked up the book if it had not been recommended. McPhee's writing style is almost like you are ...

K. · July 15, 2016

Even though this was written in the 60s, it is well worth the read, especially if you have any interest in oranges whatsoever. Read it while enjoying your morning OJ and you will never look at that beverage the same again. I would not have picked up the book if it had not been recommended. McPhee's writing style is almost like you are listening to a friend tell about a trip recently taken. While reading, I often forgot that this was written so many years ago. Never once thought about the history of the orange which was eye opening to me. I will be looking for oranges as I move through art museums. Read the book and you too will search our oranges in pieces of art. Interesting book done in a very readable style.

So viel Spaß mit Orangen

K.B. · April 28, 2019

Oranges ist in der Tat ein fantastisches Buch. Ich bin hochgradig fasziniert davon, wie packend der Autor hunderte von Seiten über den Anbau von Orangen in Florida schreiben kann. Voll von interessanten Fakten und Persönlichkeiten.

Great book

C. · January 18, 2024

Highly recommended if travelling through Florida or California. A bit old but it’s still holds up.

Very interesting

L.W. · June 26, 2019

The reviews warned me it was dated and it was. However that didn’t detract from the history of oranges and their cultivation. It left me wanting an industry update. I will say one thing - I grew up in America and left about the time this book was published. I could never abide the artificial and chemical taste of orange juice concentrate and even now only drink fresh squeezed juice. How anyone can bear the processed taste is beyond my comprehension. The book, despite being dated, is fascinating and worth reading.

Oh, yes!

N. · September 14, 2024

When McPhee was pitching ideas to the master editor of The New Yorker, arguably the highest quality magazine for writers at the time, he finally won with the response "Oranges, oh yes!" and went on to research everything about oranges. This book is a masterpiece of nonfiction, and should be required reading for anyone who wants to make a career out of writing and excellent story-telling.

so interesting

Q.A. · September 23, 2024

Absolutely not the sort of book I usually read but it’s a fascinating account of the cultivation of orange trees. So well written, give it a go, it’s not long.

Oranges

Product ID: U0374512973
Condition: New

4.4

AED11076

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Paperback
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

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Imported From: United States

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Oranges

Product ID: U0374512973
Condition: New

4.4

Oranges-0
Type: Paperback

AED11076

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

A classic of reportage, Oranges was first conceived as a short magazine article about oranges and orange juice, but the author kept encountering so much irresistible information that he eventually found that he had in fact written a book. It contains sketches of orange growers, orange botanists, orange pickers, orange packers, early settlers on Florida's Indian River, the first orange barons, modern concentrate makers, and a fascinating profile of Ben Hill Griffin of Frostproof, Florida who may be the last of the individual orange barons. McPhee's astonishing book has an almost narrative progression, is immensely readable, and is frequently amusing. Louis XIV hung tapestries of oranges in the halls of Versailles, because oranges and orange trees were the symbols of his nature and his reign. This book, in a sense, is a tapestry of oranges, too―with elements in it that range from the great orangeries of European monarchs to a custom of people in the modern Caribbean who split oranges and clean floors with them, one half in each hand.


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

While many readers are familiar with John McPhee's masterful pieces on a large scale (the geological history of North America, or the nature of Alaska), McPhee is equally remarkable when he considers the seemingly inconsequential. Oranges was conceived as a short magazine piece, but thanks to his unparalleled investigative skills, became a slim, fact-filled book. As McPhee chronicles orange farmers struggling with frost and horticulturists' new breeds of citrus, oranges come to seem a microcosm of man's relationship with nature.

Like Flemish miniaturists who reveal the essence of humankind within the confines of a tiny frame, McPhee once again demonstrates that the smallest topic is replete with history, significance, and consequence.

Review

“Fascinating. A sterling example of what a fresh point of view, a clear style, a sense of humor and diligent investigation can do to reveal the inherent interest in something as taken-for-granted as your morning orange juice.” ―Edmund Fuller, The Wall Street Journal

“It is a delicious book, in a word, and more absorbing than many a novel.” ―
Roderick Cook, Harper's

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fruit, Economics, Agriculture and History Made Fascinating

C.E. · March 28, 2012

I picked up this book because I was traveling to Florida and wanted something . . . . Florida-ish. Good pick! John McPhee, a New Yorker stalwart and author of at least 25 books, started out to write a New Yorker article on the subject of the orange industry in 1966 and ended up material with enough to create a book, which became Oranges. This particular edition came out in 2000 and bears a preface by the author, which explains his early career with The New Yorker and how and why the book got written. The text itself is not updated or appended to register changes in the industry since the mid-1960s, but that's okay. This is a surprisingly compelling and atmospheric narrative, even though it is fact-packed with economics and agricultural statistics.McPhee's inspiration was simply that he liked orange juice and wanted to find out where it came from. That took him to Florida where he found scientists, growers, and the entire history of a piece of fruit most of us take for granted, a native of China that was unknown in the Holy Land and the Western hemisphere at the time of Christ, that would not make it to the Americas until Columbus. For all its ubiquity in the modern world, citrus is a temperamental plant that requires particular soil and climatic conditions, not to mention careful grafting to maintain true products. There are many varieties of oranges--not just seedy, seedless and tangerine--and across history they have been valued by kings and inspired poetry. Ponce de Leon may have introduced them to the Florida mainland in the 16th century, to sustain troops. The coming of the railroad and improved shipping popularized the fruit produced in the Jacksonville, St. John's River basin and Indian River regions (northern and central Florida) in the 19th century, and an international industry was born. Fast forward to the 1960s and McPhee puts the reader in the midst of a highly evolved industry populated with creative entrepreneurs and scientists and power brokers who might be kings.McPhee concludes his tour at a time when juice concentrate is king in America. This book could benefit from a coda updating how the trends for organic and fresh ("never from concentrate," my bottle brags) have affected the industry, as well as the real estate development that has overrun former growing areas.

4.0 out of 5 stars Sunshine in your Glass

u. · January 12, 2018

For those of us who have had a glass of orange juice nearly every day of our lives, it is rather fascinating to learn a bit about the history and quality control of the modern industry that brings that delicacy to our kitchen. This is one of McPhee's earliest books, so it is a bit dated. But that doesn't matter. McPhee is such a talented writer and he packs so much information and insight in to a small book that it is well worth reading even though a half century has passed since it was first published. The ancient history of the fruit is still germane, and the description of the technological breakthroughs that brought us flash frozen, "concentrate", and flavor packs are still fascinating and relevant. Also, gaining a feeling for the many varieties of oranges, the weather and predator challenges faced by orange growers, and the rise of massive corporate producers as well as the place for some remaining family farms is worth placing in perspective.McPhee started with the simple joy of a small vendor peeling fresh oranges in the old Pennsylvania Station in New York City. Savoring an orange is still far more satisfying than drinking a technologically synthesized universal product, although that is what the vast majority of people settle for in this fast moving world.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book if you like oranges

J.i.C. · February 27, 2024

This book will tell you where everything there is to know about oranges, including the vast number of varieties, how they are grown and other information. It's pretty old, but still useful. And the author is an excellent writer.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book

S.A.L. · February 18, 2024

This book is so much fun to read!It is well written with information about oranges and I wanted to learn about!

4.0 out of 5 stars Who Knew?

M. · June 2, 2014

I love oranges, but there may not be many people who could make reading about them so interesting. There are two things to be said: McPhee is a wonderful writer; and this book, originally written in the 1960s, tells you pretty much everything you need to know about oranges. (Did YOU know that most orange trees are not grown from orange seeds, and may grow from trunks of different citrus trees entirely--lemon, say? Did you know that in the 1960s, the annual orange crop in Florida alone was around 25 billion-with-a-b oranges? Have you ever heard of degrees Brix? And so on.) McPhee knows more about oranges than I thought was knowable except to an orange grower, and his writing is so good that you end up wishing he'd move all the way up and down the food pyramid, just because your meals would then be so much more interesting. But he does write on other topics. Read those books, too.

5.0 out of 5 stars I would not have picked up the book if it had not been recommended. McPhee's writing style is almost like you are ...

K. · July 15, 2016

Even though this was written in the 60s, it is well worth the read, especially if you have any interest in oranges whatsoever. Read it while enjoying your morning OJ and you will never look at that beverage the same again. I would not have picked up the book if it had not been recommended. McPhee's writing style is almost like you are listening to a friend tell about a trip recently taken. While reading, I often forgot that this was written so many years ago. Never once thought about the history of the orange which was eye opening to me. I will be looking for oranges as I move through art museums. Read the book and you too will search our oranges in pieces of art. Interesting book done in a very readable style.

So viel Spaß mit Orangen

K.B. · April 28, 2019

Oranges ist in der Tat ein fantastisches Buch. Ich bin hochgradig fasziniert davon, wie packend der Autor hunderte von Seiten über den Anbau von Orangen in Florida schreiben kann. Voll von interessanten Fakten und Persönlichkeiten.

Great book

C. · January 18, 2024

Highly recommended if travelling through Florida or California. A bit old but it’s still holds up.

Very interesting

L.W. · June 26, 2019

The reviews warned me it was dated and it was. However that didn’t detract from the history of oranges and their cultivation. It left me wanting an industry update. I will say one thing - I grew up in America and left about the time this book was published. I could never abide the artificial and chemical taste of orange juice concentrate and even now only drink fresh squeezed juice. How anyone can bear the processed taste is beyond my comprehension. The book, despite being dated, is fascinating and worth reading.

Oh, yes!

N. · September 14, 2024

When McPhee was pitching ideas to the master editor of The New Yorker, arguably the highest quality magazine for writers at the time, he finally won with the response "Oranges, oh yes!" and went on to research everything about oranges. This book is a masterpiece of nonfiction, and should be required reading for anyone who wants to make a career out of writing and excellent story-telling.

so interesting

Q.A. · September 23, 2024

Absolutely not the sort of book I usually read but it’s a fascinating account of the cultivation of orange trees. So well written, give it a go, it’s not long.

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