Author
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Spooner, David |
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Submitted to: Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution
Publication Type: Literature Review Publication Acceptance Date: 12/15/2004 Publication Date: 3/10/2005 Citation: Spooner, D.M. 2005. Hunting the wild potato in the South American Andes: memories of the British empire potato collecting expedition to South American America 1938-1939. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 52(4):483-486. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: This is a book review of: J. [John 'Jack'] G. [Gregory] Hawkes. 2004. Hunting the Wild Potato in the South American Andes: Memories of the British Empire Potato Collecting Expedition to South American America 1938-1939. Botanical and Experimental Garden University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 224 pp,' ISBN 90-9018021-4. This book describes Hawkes's 1939 potato collecting expedition to South America. He describes his preliminary trio to Russia to prepare for this trip, provides personal memories of the expedition, and places these observations and potato collections into perspective regarding potato taxonomy. Four appendices are included that 1) provide specific itineraries and further details on collecting methods cultural methods of the potato, 2) provide a synopsis of his Ph.D. thesis on the taxonomy and evolution of these collections, 3) provide a complete list of his 241 scientific publications, 4) provide his curriculum vitae. In sum, this book is a fun travelogue to anyone wondering what it is like to travel in South America, a great source of information to the potato specialist, and a wonderful testament to a productive scientific career. |
