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.
“Botanical Icons: Critical Practices of Illustration in the Premodern Mediterranean by Andrew Griebeler is a deep dive into the early history of botanical illustration. Rebecca especially enjoyed its “focus on a part of the world whose plants and manuscript illuminations particularly interest me.” While this book tackles a complex history, the writing is very clear and well summarized at end of each chapter. Best are the wonderfully reproduced illustrations that mostly predate the printing press.
Reviewed by: Brian Thompson on May 23, 2025
Excerpted from the Summer 2025 issue of the Arboretum Bulletin