I've heard today that the Alpine Garden Society publication department is expecting delivery of Oron Peri's "Bulbs of the Eastern Mediterranean" around the second week of December. It is being printed in the UK, allowing a shorter turnaround time that I had supposed would be possible. It can be purchased at http://www.alpinegardensociety.net/publications/ I've just read the proofs of the book and editor John Fitzgerald has done a very good job. Oron's knowledge of the botany of the area covered is deep, and his photos are superb and almost all taken in habitat. Almost every species covered is illustrated with a good color photo, and most of these show the entire plant, not just the flower -- unusual for a field guide of this kind, and my preference too. Many bulb enthusiasts will hesitate to visit the region just now, but we can hope that someday it will enjoy peace, and welcome its own people as well as visitors. In the interim we can do our best to welcome those who come to our countries. Yesterday the refugee center where I help teach English received its first group of Syrians, who managed to get here despite a process that has been called "the second hardest way to get to the USA, next to swimming the Atlantic." Jane McGary Portland, Oregon, USA