Not many people would wait until their 80s to write a book - let alone three. But fresh from her first success with 'From the Ends of the earth' (BeneFactum 2004), a widely acclaimed book about plant collectors and the rare plants in her Cornish garden, she has burst into the next decade with 'This Infant Adventure - Offspring of the Royal Gardens at Kew'. (BeneFactum 2010). It describes many of the early botanic gardens, which in their own unsung way, helped to underpin our Empire's commercial success and were also instrumental in furthering botanical knowledge round the world. Filling in time between these two books Christian has written an evocative memoir - 'I Only Joined for the Hat' , a firsthand account of what life was truly like for world war ll Wrens, revealing that she has lost none of her sense of humour over the years.
In this absorbing and beautifully illustrated book, the author's careful research has unearthed a fascinating insight into a selection of botanic gardens around the world and the people who helped make them.
All three of Christian's books are available to buy from this website.
Offspring of the Royal Gardens at Kew
It so happens that I 'collect' botanic gardens; but because you can't take them away with you and gloat over them it is not quite the same physical activity as for those who spend half their lives hunting for rare stamps or vintage cars.
This book is a nebulous collection of a few chosen from the vast array available - the stars in their spheres - and even these must be confined to catching short periods in their lives - no garden stands still.
Passionate plant collectors remembered in a Cornish garden
What risks did the early plant collectors take to bring us the plants we know and love? Who found what and where? And how similar are their finds to the plants we grow today? Christian Lamb has been to extraordinary lengths to find out, as we soon discover in 'From the Ends of the Earth''.
Redoubtable Wrens at War...their trials, tribulations and triumphs
A wonderfully evocative illustrated memoir that gives a rare firsthand account of what life was truly like for World War II Wrens, written by spry octogenarian Christian Lamb.
in 1939, before compulsory call-up, the young Christian Lamb felt she had to 'do her bit' for the war effort. Her comfortable life was about to be turned upside down.