I live in the UK but want to learn a bit more about growing apples in North America - common varieties, planting and growing etc. Can anyone recommend some good books (preferably available on Amazon etc)?
For anyone interested in UK apple varieties, "The Book of Apples" by Joan Morgan includes a directory of all the varieties (2000+) in the UK National Fruit Collection. For general gardening interest "The Fruit Expert" by Hessayon lists all the commonly-grown UK apple varieties plus other top fruit.
Orangepippin, good question; here’s my first suggestion:
Apples for the 21st Century; From heritage treasures to the best new cultivars - A guide to the culture, character and history of apples. 
by Warren Manhart
Intro:
“This is a colorful book accruing much data and many photos. The excellent presentation details of 50 of the world’s important cultivars.
The text is for the apple connoisseur who is interested in outstanding quality varieties, whether old or new. It reflects Warren Manhart’s 30 years testing over 140 varieties.
This is not another apple book listing all varieties. It is one that settles on those he has chosen as worthy for his growing area, but his discussion is comprehensive for other districts of the Pacific Northwest… and even the world.
Manhart wastes no space in this book on apples earning a quality rating below good. Some newer varieties under evaluation are described. This makes it as up-to-date as any apple book can be, since the parade of varieties is perpetual.
Warren’s opinions are clearly stated, easily understood and straight to the point. His witty mannerism makes the reading most enjoyable… something totally missing in the text of most apple books.
Bob and Jon Denney of the Portland Nursery & the North American Tree Company are to be complimented for publishing Apples for the 21st Century. I believe it will be a valuable addition to the library of any apple grower, packer, shipper, retailer or hobbyist.
Jim Ballard
Extension Horticulturist (Ret.)
Yakima Co., Washingtonâ€
A longtime, if not a charter member of our Home Orchard Society, many can relate to the description above, “Warren’s opinions are clearly stated, easily understood and straight to the point.†When walking an orchard with Warren I found that very refreshing…
It’s a book I covet, not only for it’s information, but that it’s like ‘having a piece’ of an old friend. If any of my now quarter-century old apple trees need replacing - it’s the first book I’ll crack!
Here are a couple of quick links:
http://www.amazon.com/Apples-Twenty-Fir ... 0964841703
http://www.alibris.com/search/books/qwo ... %20Century
Here’s an additional ‘heads-up’ for those including hyperlinks in their posts DON’T TEST THEM BEFORE POSTING. I just lost a lot of text and tweaks to the piece above by clicking on one of the two above - I’m sent to the new page – but unable to return to the HOS 'reply post' 
So, I guess we should post links first, then test them from the Forum – then edit if necessary…
Orangepippin, you may also have caught the following post, including pears: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2806
I haven’t either book, but they sound… delicious 
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I just checked out "The Best Apples to Buy and Grow", a small paperback that I really enjoyed. It's published by the Brooklyn Botanical Garden (2005) and it has an article by our very own Ted Swensen. Besides the 7 interesting articles including Ted's, it has features on 60 different apples, including where they are likely to do well, and a description of the flavors. Given that most of us seem to be finding that even gourmet apple varieties that you find in the store can't remotely compare to apples you grow yourself, it makes sense to make our choices carefully. Space/land is expensive, and we have a several year lag in between deciding what variety we want to grow, finding a scion, and waiting to see if it fruits and how it tastes on our tree. I checked this one out from the local library.
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