Very informative, entertaining but not searchable reference

It all depends on what the reader wants. If he seeks an entertaining read, clear and pleasant for the simple pleasure of discovering the wide range of resources developed by plants to feed, reproduce, adapt to environmental circumstances "Engineering plant" probably pleases . It also found in the final chapter the meeting between "plant engineering" and "human genius" (the gathering to agriculture and industrialization, textile plants, pharmacopoeia, etc.).
If, against the player looking for a reference book which, while providing an accessible introduction to plant biology, would also be easier to consult promptly thereafter, "Engineering plant" probably not satisfy.

The second group of players, I find that the book suffers from the defects of his qualities:
--A Generosity of the themes corresponds excess of topics barely touched. Sometimes lost in this abundance, the overall vision, the logic that drives authors to add box as dealing with a specific characteristic to such sub-species.
--A Accreditation browse a rhythmic book of photos, drawings and small boxes, replies, me it seems, excess strictly decorative value in pictures (eg 5 or 6 photos of carnivorous plants which are yet except in the plant world).

Many botanical varieties are mentioned as examples. Do they deserve therefore really only two (!) Are entirely devoted their index (first in Latin, and a second, in French)?
These indexes include also NO entry for anatomy or plant physiology (look no "photosynthesis", "pollen" or "stoma", for example. Or even "autotrophy", which nevertheless the title chapter, or "angiosperms", which nevertheless often returns).

Specific terms usually appear in italics when first case, in a sentence that defines broadly; to you to collect the passage and note pages to go back because you will not find thematic index.
The table of contents does not much allow you to search for a particular passage: it is minimalist (does not include sub-sections, for example) and sometimes imbued with a touch of humor, nice course, but that hides the concrete subject Chapter (ie "those who do not live in clean air and fresh water").

Another book, published by the same publisher, I was much more satisfied, intellectually, at the time I read it because it deepens the themes better (including photosynthesis, nutrition, breathing, circulation saps the role of dormancy, acclimatization, etc.), while remaining easy first: The wonderful world of plants: Why the Earth is green, John King. It includes a thematic index welcome.

I highly recommend also praise of the plant: For a new biology F. Hallé, if you want to read an author who, in addition to advising on a number of mechanisms of plant biology in an enthusiastic style, positive and very readable, offers readers the pleasure of being pushed further into the reflection on the limits of the traditional way of approaching biology.