In the vibrant and zestful pages of "Oranges," John McPhee peels back the rind of this ubiquitous fruit to reveal a world teeming with intrigue, history, and passion. What begins as a seemingly straightforward investigation into the cultivation and consumption of oranges blossoms into a rich tapestry that interweaves the lives of those who grow, study, and transform them. From the sun-drenched groves of Florida to the majestic orangeries of European royalty, McPhee escorts readers on a global journey, tracing the orange’s ascent from a luxury to a staple, its influence seeping into cultures and economies across the world. His narrative, punctuated with both humor and meticulous research, elevates the orange from the mundane to the miraculous, inviting us to reconsider our relationship with this familiar yet extraordinary fruit. "Oranges" is more than a book about a fruit; it is a story about human endeavor, innovation, and resilience. McPhee introduces us to a cast of compelling characters: the pioneering settlers along Florida's Indian River, the indomitable orange barons, and the modern-day alchemists turning concentrate into liquid gold, alongside the dedicated botanists and laborers in the fields. Each portrait is vividly drawn, their stories woven together by McPhee's masterful prose to form a narrative as engaging and intricate as the patterns on an orange peel. This is not just the history of a fruit; it is an exploration of the sweet and sometimes bitter essence of human enterprise, captured in the biography of an orange.