📖 Overview
Amy Stewart is an American author known for writing both fiction and nonfiction books focused on the natural world, particularly plants, insects, and their intersection with human culture and history. Her work spans gardening literature, scientific exploration, and historical fiction, with several of her books becoming New York Times bestsellers.
Stewart's nonfiction works include "Wicked Plants," "Wicked Bugs," and "Flower Confidential," which examine the darker or lesser-known aspects of botany and entomology. Her book "The Drunken Botanist" explores the botanical origins of alcoholic spirits and has become a significant reference work in both horticultural and mixology circles.
In fiction, Stewart authored the Kopp Sisters series, which began with "Girl Waits with Gun." These novels are based on the true story of Constance Kopp, one of America's first female deputy sheriffs, and combine historical research with narrative storytelling.
Stewart is also a sought-after speaker at gardens, bookstores, and libraries, and has appeared in various media outlets discussing her work. Her writing has earned multiple awards, including a 2015 National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and the American Horticultural Society's Book Award.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Stewart's ability to blend scientific facts with engaging storytelling. Reviews frequently mention her talent for making complex botanical and entomological information accessible and entertaining.
What readers liked:
- Clear, conversational writing style
- Thorough research with unexpected historical details
- Humor in presenting scientific material
- Practical applications in "The Drunken Botanist"
- Historical accuracy in the Kopp Sisters novels
What readers disliked:
- Some find the nonfiction books too surface-level
- Occasional complaints about jumping between topics
- Want more depth in plant/insect descriptions
- Some fiction readers note slow pacing in later Kopp books
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- "The Drunken Botanist": 4.0/5 (14,000+ ratings)
- "Wicked Plants": 3.8/5 (12,000+ ratings)
- "Girl Waits with Gun": 3.8/5 (25,000+ ratings)
Amazon:
- "The Drunken Botanist": 4.6/5 (2,000+ ratings)
- "Wicked Plants": 4.5/5 (1,500+ ratings)
- "Girl Waits with Gun": 4.4/5 (1,900+ ratings)
📚 Books by Amy Stewart
From the Ground Up: The Story of a First Garden (2001) - A memoir chronicling Stewart's first year of creating a garden in Santa Cruz, California.
The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms (2004) - An exploration of earthworms' role in ecology, history, and science.
Flower Confidential (2007) - An investigation into the global flower industry, from breeding to retail.
Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities (2009) - A catalog of dangerous, deadly, and destructive plants throughout history.
Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon's Army and Other Diabolical Insects (2011) - An examination of harmful insects and their impacts on human history.
The Drunken Botanist (2013) - A study of the plants used to create various alcoholic beverages worldwide.
Girl Waits with Gun (2015) - Based on the true story of one of America's first female deputy sheriffs in 1914 New Jersey.
Lady Cop Makes Trouble (2016) - Continues Constance Kopp's story as she pursues an escaped convict.
Miss Kopp's Midnight Confessions (2017) - Follows Deputy Sheriff Constance Kopp dealing with women charged with morality crimes.
Miss Kopp Just Won't Quit (2018) - Chronicles Constance Kopp's challenges during an election year.
Kopp Sisters on the March (2019) - Depicts the Kopp sisters at a military-style training camp during World War I.
Dear Miss Kopp (2021) - Details the Kopp sisters' experiences during World War I through letters.
The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Achievements of Earthworms (2004) - An exploration of earthworms' role in ecology, history, and science.
Flower Confidential (2007) - An investigation into the global flower industry, from breeding to retail.
Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities (2009) - A catalog of dangerous, deadly, and destructive plants throughout history.
Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon's Army and Other Diabolical Insects (2011) - An examination of harmful insects and their impacts on human history.
The Drunken Botanist (2013) - A study of the plants used to create various alcoholic beverages worldwide.
Girl Waits with Gun (2015) - Based on the true story of one of America's first female deputy sheriffs in 1914 New Jersey.
Lady Cop Makes Trouble (2016) - Continues Constance Kopp's story as she pursues an escaped convict.
Miss Kopp's Midnight Confessions (2017) - Follows Deputy Sheriff Constance Kopp dealing with women charged with morality crimes.
Miss Kopp Just Won't Quit (2018) - Chronicles Constance Kopp's challenges during an election year.
Kopp Sisters on the March (2019) - Depicts the Kopp sisters at a military-style training camp during World War I.
Dear Miss Kopp (2021) - Details the Kopp sisters' experiences during World War I through letters.
👥 Similar authors
Mary Roach writes investigative nonfiction with a focus on science topics, exploring subjects like death, digestion, and space travel. Her writing style combines research with humor and personal experiences, similar to Stewart's approach in books like Wicked Plants.
Michael Pollan explores human relationships with plants, food systems, and nature through narrative nonfiction. His works examine the intersection of botany and human culture, comparable to Stewart's plant-focused books.
Susan Orlean creates detailed portraits of people and subjects through immersive research and storytelling. Her work combines historical elements with contemporary investigation, matching Stewart's method in books like Girl Waits with Gun.
Erik Larson writes historical narratives that weave together multiple storylines and extensive research. His books focus on specific time periods and events while maintaining a narrative structure similar to Stewart's Kopp Sisters series.
Sarah Rose produces nonfiction work centered on historical events with particular attention to botanical and trade history. Her research methods and subject matter parallel Stewart's interest in plants and their impact on human society.
Michael Pollan explores human relationships with plants, food systems, and nature through narrative nonfiction. His works examine the intersection of botany and human culture, comparable to Stewart's plant-focused books.
Susan Orlean creates detailed portraits of people and subjects through immersive research and storytelling. Her work combines historical elements with contemporary investigation, matching Stewart's method in books like Girl Waits with Gun.
Erik Larson writes historical narratives that weave together multiple storylines and extensive research. His books focus on specific time periods and events while maintaining a narrative structure similar to Stewart's Kopp Sisters series.
Sarah Rose produces nonfiction work centered on historical events with particular attention to botanical and trade history. Her research methods and subject matter parallel Stewart's interest in plants and their impact on human society.