The Forbidden Garden of Leningrad

An astonishing story brilliantly told. With a revelation on almost every page, Parkin reveals how a small group of passionate scientists put their lives on the line to save one the world's most important seed banks. By placing their desperate efforts against the backdrop of the wider horrors endured by the people of Leningrad, the author provides context and meaning for their untold acts of individual heroism. It is as moving as it is gripping to read one of the most remarkable stories of the Second World War -- Jonathan Dimbleby, author of Endgame: 1944
A history book as gripping as a thriller . . . Simon Parkin's account of the seedbank in The Forbidden Garden of Leningrad is extraordinary . . . striking narrative gold, he sets out this remarkable story in admirable detail, drawing upon fresh research sources . . . The Forbidden Garden of Leningrad is as gripping as it is absorbing throughout -- Peter Carty * i *
Vivid . . . [an] engaging read for a general audience -- Catriona Kelly * Times Literary Supplement *
A gripping, original and important story of courage and science in wartime -- Roland Philipps, author of A Spy Named Orphan
A compelling account. I've read histories of the siege before, but few with such disarming immediacy . . . a remarkable work of literary exhumation. The first full account of the Plant Institute in any language, it's a fitting testimony to an extraordinary project and the bravery of the ordinary individuals who kept it going - the men and women who were prepared to sacrifice all for the sake of a spud -- Alex Diggins * Daily Telegraph *
A richly researched and meticulously observed account of a little-explored corner of 20th-century history -- Charlie English * Guardian *
A fantastically well-researched history of science and sacrifice saturated in drama -- Non-fiction Book of the Month * i *
Rich . . . [a] gripping, sensitive account -- Sinclair McKay * Spectator *
Thank goodness for Simon Parkin who has unearthed the remarkable story of a clutch of scientists holed up in a converted palace in the city who were running effectively the world's first seed bank . . . an enthralling book * New European *
A beautifully written account of one of the most extraordinary and little-known episodes of the Second World War - a scientific feat and act of collective self-sacrifice the consequences of which continue to be felt today -- Adam Higginbotham, New York Times-bestselling author of Midnight in Chernobyl and Challenger
Sometimes, in history's darkest hours, people of principle and vision find their way to astonishing acts of heroism. Simon Parkin's crisp, vivid prose thrusts us into the harrowing siege of Leningrad during World War II to tell a story of almost unfathomable selflessness. Inspired by their charismatic leader, Nikolai Vavilov, scientists at the world's most important seed bank risked - and gave - their lives to safeguard their collections for the good of future generations. The Forbidden Garden of Leningrad reveals, in harrowing detail, the terrible damage that ideology paired with violence can inflict on human beings and on their cultural and scientific achievements. Against this painful backdrop, Parkin offersa soaring account of the courage, generosity, and love of which humanity is capable in its finest moments. The Forbidden Garden of Leningrad is a crucial, humbling book. -- Victoria Johnson, author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist American Eden
A hugely moving piece of work, full of unforgettable images and moments, and centred on a gripping, compelling drama. The Forbidden Garden of Leningrad is a fascinating, vivid, and gripping book that will leave you feeling as though you have lived through the siege of Leningrad -- Henry Hemming, author of Four Shots in the Night
[Parkin] deftly handles archive material, and spins out elegant prose -- Henry Mance * Financial Times *
A gripping, harrowing history of science amid war and starvation, The Forbidden Garden of Leningrad recovers in astonishing detail the efforts of Soviet botanists to maintain their country's most precious seed collection through the siege of Leningrad. It is an unforgettable tale of devotion to science, seeds, and the future -- Helen Anne Curry, author of Endangered Maize
What an impressive achievement this book is. Moving, mordant, crushingly sad, and often horrifying, The Forbidden Garden of Leningrad is a useful reminder of how much human drama there remains to excavate from the ruins of the Second World War. Indeed, Simon Parkin has proved himself to be a human dowsing rod for such stories-and, in the meantime, become one of my favourite writers of literary-historical narrative alive. -- Tom Bissell, author of APOSTLE
An astonishing achievement. Simon Parkin has turned a few lines in the history books about Soviet botanists and their unique seed collection during the Nazi siege of Leningrad into a riveting narrative about the loyalties of scientists in wartime. Should the botanists protect the seeds for science and humanity as their famous disappeared leader, Nikolai Vavilov, would have wanted, or eat them to stay alive? Their suffering and sacrifice brings into focus the key role scientists play today in challenging the new crop of anti-science politicians. -- Peter Pringle, author of The Murder of Nikolai Vavilov
Award-winning author Simon Parkin vividly relates the tragic yet inspiring story of Vavilov and his team's dedication to the [seed bank] project . . . Using the diaries and letters of the botanists, as well as later-recorded oral histories, Parkin paints a suspense-filled record of this harrowing time in history * Kirkus Review *
Simon Parkin has unearthed a quite extraordinary tale of a man lost in time, Nikolai Vavilov, a world-renowned botanist whose life and work is a metaphor for the tragedy and mendaciousness of the Soviet system under Stalin . . . Determined to protect his legacy, not knowing that he would perish in Stalin's gulags, Vavilov's protégés faced a stark choice: Protect and save the vast collection for science, or, bow to official pressure, and allow the seedbank to feed a starving population. All whilst German bombs dropped around them. It is a thrilling and life-affirming story -- Iain MacGregor, author of The Lighthouse of Stalingrad

PRAISE FOR THE ISLAND OF EXTRAORDINARY CAPTIVES

'Vivid and moving'
MAX HASTINGS

'Excellent . . . a powerful tribute'
GUARDIAN

'Riveting'
NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

'Eye-opening, insightful and brilliantly written'
DAILY MIRROR

'Exhilarating'
SPECTATOR