介绍:
What's the first thing that comes to your mind at the mention of Hawaii?
Sandy beaches and tranquil water? Or the hip-swinging hula dance?
But in the eyes of Liu Huajie, a philosophy professor at Peking University and an avid botany enthusiast, this popular tourist resort is alluring in other ways.
"All the land areas and islands of Hawaii came from volcanic explosions. Years from now, all the islands we have seen today will disappear while new isles will be generated. Meanwhile, the archipelago is isolated and far from any continent, thus it is extraordinarily unique in terms of biodiversity. The Hawaiian plants are definitely something of their own. "
In his diary-style book, Botanical Journeys in Hawaii, or in Chinese, "Tan Dao Hua Shi: Xia Wei Yi Zhi Wu Ri Ji", Liu Huajie documents his botanical survey and exploration on the islands during an one-year exchange program. Beautifully produced with over a thousand colorful photos and herbarium-framed cover, the book provides a spectacularly detailed and visual panorama of Hawaii's wild world, which is full of awe-inspiring wonders and mysteries. Following the daily trajectory and causal, serendipitous encounters of the author, readers may feel like getting on a ride into the wilderness while being astounded by the abundant knowledge of ecological change, nature protection and plant population of the Aloha State.
But the writer emphasizes that as an amateur botanist, he has no intention to popularize science.
"I am not a scientist, so I am not qualified or interested in that kind of job. My major is not botany, but I am fond of all kinds of plants. Compared with professionals, my way to recognize and name certain plants might be different. If I like something, I will observe it during different seasons, touch its skin, enjoy its flowers and even nibble the fruits to find out whether it is edible or not. Sometimes, I will try to figure out the impact of certain plants to the eco-system. But one of my major concerns is about whether the plant will be pleasing to eye, which sets me apart from scientists."
Compared with traditional nature writings or travelogues that are imbued with lyrical touches, Liu Huajie's book may appear to lack the emotional kick. Instead, the writer is trying to address some more pressing issues, such as the conflicts between native and foreign plants, the damaging impact of sandalwood trade and more importantly, whether nature has been irrevocably changed by the modern world.
"It is exaggerated to say I am anti-modernization. Since we are all caught up under the tide of modernization, all we could do at most is to reflect instead of object. When we enjoy all the benefits that modernization brings, we should realize the non-sustainable future of nature and how humankind and environment have been pushed towards extremely different paths. "
Ostensibly, "Botanical Journeys in Hawaii" is the book recording the writer's year-along expedition into the Hawaiian wild world. But underneath, it is the self-searching work that looks for common cause between nature and humanities.
"Today's philosophers and humanities researchers pay less attention to nature and its wisdom, which is totally wrong. During the evolution, plants accumulate wisdom as well. The more you observe, the more wondrous the world becomes. I hope people could live as naturalists, to closely observe, experience and be adapted into the natural world. "
In 2014, "Botanical Journeys in Hawaii" was listed Book of the Year by China Book Association.
Even if you regard botany as dullsville, as long as you love life, this book could delight you to no end, since nature provides the most satisfying meditation on life and "the earth has music for those who listen".
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