Freelance science writer.

• Foreword; Introduction; 1. An outpost in the desert; 2. Early years at the desert lab; 3. Daniel MacDougal: engineer of life; 4. A decade of change; 5. Terminations and taperings; 6. A mythic collaboration; 7. The black box of photosynthesis; 8. Years of duty; 9. The decade of chlorophyll; 10. Defining a new ecology; 11. The emerging complexity; 12. An integrative approach; 13. Common ground; 14. The molecular era.

'What makes this book really impressive is how much Patricia Craig, the author, manages to pack into her historical account. … The book is rich in including unpublished archival photographs; and Craig takes special care to include lesser known figures as well as the luminaries usually associated with the institution … The book is in fact a nicely comprehensive history that goes far beyond the history of one institution, albeit an important and influential one; it is a comprehensive survey of the development of the plant sciences in the twentieth century. As such, this is a most welcome addition to the history of twentieth century biology.' History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences