PLEASE NOTE.

Algonquin Books, the publisher of Flower Confidential, graciously allowed us to put an exclusive excerpt online until March 1. Find out more about the book and where to buy it at http://www.algonquin.com/catalog/?isbn=1565124383, or visit Amy's website at amystewart.com.

- The Journal

Journal columnist Amy Stewart will be appearing at Northtown Books (957 H St., Arcata) on Sunday, Feb. 4, 3-5 p.m., in conjunction with the publication of her new book Flower Confidential: The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful in the Business of Flowers, published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill.

Flower Confidential is an in-depth look at the aesthetics, the technology and the multinational corporations that drive the $40 billion international cut flower business, as well as a philosophical exploration of beauty. Flowers are traditional symbols of the Earth's fecundity and beneficence; what happens when they are industrialized and engineered?

Amy Stewart's previous books are The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthwormsand From the Ground Up: The Story of a First Garden, both of which were also published by Algonquin. In addition to writing for the Journal, Stewart has contributed to numerous and far-flung publications, including Organic Gardening, Fortune Small Business, the San Francisco Chronicle and The New York Times. Her website is amystewart.com.