SAN MARINO, CALIF – A book signing for David Leaser’s photographic monograph on palms was among the most successful events held at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, according Janet Crockett, manager of the library’s bookstore. In just 90 minutes, more than 70 books were sold and signed by the author.
Titled Palm Trees: A Story in Photographs, the monograph is the first coffee-table book to address the interests of palm lovers, horticulturalists and landscapers. By featuring palm trees in gardens, natural habitats and remote villages, the book shows how palm trees are an important part of everyday living in many parts of the world. Images of coconut plantations in Thailand, Samoan boys returning from a harvest and vacationers relaxing on a palm-fringed beach take the reader on a mini-vacation around the world.
The book has received praise from botanical gardens and the press, including the Los Angeles Times, Publishers Weekly, Sunset magazine and the Royal Botanical Garden at Kew in London.
James Folsum, director of the botanical gardens at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, wrote, “David’s first book, Palm Trees, A Story in Photographs, is a sumptuous exploration of specimen trees and dramatic palm landscapes from around the world. His photographs and layout compel the user to actually read the detailed and informative captions, essentially taking you on a grand and educational tour of the beautiful and exotic world of palms. Anyone with an interest in great plants or monographs of unique natural forms would enjoy leafing through this beautifully imagined and produced book.”
The book is available for purchase at Amazon.com