For 20 years, Rebecca Alexander was a mainstay of the Elisabeth C. Miller Library staff. Rebecca retired at the end of June 2025, but before she went, I asked about her favorite books in the Miller Library collection. I was not surprised that the list of books “that have made 
a lasting impression” she provided was extensive and quite varied. Many are in her personal collection.
David Mabberley, who was the director of the UW Botanic Gardens from 2005-2008, is better known globally for his many research books on plants and botanists. Rebecca finds “Citrus: A World History” to be a “beautifully produced book, replete with illustrations, and of course botanical erudition.” As suggested by the subtitle, this is not a typical botanical treatment but rather an often amusing global history of the cultural importance of these fruits.
Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on May 23, 2025
Excerpted from the Summer 2025 issue of the Arboretum Bulletin