Description
The untold story of Hamilton’s—and Burr’s—physician whose dream to build America’s first botanical garden inspired the young Republic.
Reviews
"Victoria Johnson follows Hosack’s life and legacy through a range of detail and social context which answers all the answerable questions. It is 54 years since Hosack was the subject of a full biography. Johnson has added some more details, written in a lively way and has related him to other prominent people of his lifetime." — Financial Times
"American Eden’s many glimpses of the swamps, meadows, fields and flora lying beneath the city, meticulously mapped, are among its greatest pleasures." — Times Literary Supplement
"... Victoria Johnson’s fine science biography... A rich and compelling read." — Nature
"American Eden will not disappoint.... In her ambitious and entertaining book Johnson connects past to present." — Marta McDowell, The New York Times Book Review
"“[A] captivating biography…" — Penelope Rowlands, The Wall Street Journal
Awards
Longlisted — Cundill History Prize, 2019
Shortlisted — Pulitzer Prize, 2019
