Driven by Nature: A Personal Journey from Shanghai to Botany and Global Sustainability

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Few individuals have dedicated their lives to plants as Peter H. Raven has. As the longtime director and now president emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden, he has authored numerous textbooks and hundreds of scholarly articles, becoming a tireless advocate for sustainability and biodiversity, earning the title 'Hero for the Planet' from Time. This autobiography chronicles Raven's life, from his idyllic childhood in 1940s San Francisco to his four decades leading the Missouri Botanical Garden. It takes readers on a journey across continents and decades, showcasing his efforts to raise awareness about a changing planet, promote biological education, and transform the Missouri Botanical Garden into a world-renowned sanctuary for plant life. Raven's narrative extends into the twenty-first century with a timely epilogue emphasizing the vital role of scientific learning, active conservation, and dedicated activism amid a rapidly changing natural world. With an introduction by Pulitzer Prize-winning naturalist E. O. Wilson, this beautifully illustrated work will captivate nature lovers, plant enthusiasts, and environmentally-conscious readers eager to take action for biodiversity preservation.