1 comments about City Bountiful: A Century of Community Gardening in America.

1. In terms of the world, the idea of community gardening might go back thousands of years, to the time of King Cyrus of Persia. In terms of the United States, it might be so American an idea that it goes back to the time of European colonization. For the idea might be as old as the commons of English-speaking settlers and the town squares of Spanish-speaking settlers. But Laura J Lawson is concerned with a more limited timespan. Her book, CITY BOUNTIFUL, covers community gardening in the United States from the 1890s to the present.
   
   What drew her to that topic? The author first turned to gardening to get through tightly budgeted college years. Gardening was such a budget-smart move that she thought she was a rural wannabee. But the green-acre life wasn't for her. Instead, she was a city girl who wanted to be as self-sufficient as possible. So gardening became a research and a practical pursuit for her.
   
   Did gardening have the same appeal to most people over time? Which time period would have a definite paper trail of written evidence and perhaps also eyewitness accounts? A CENTURY OF COMMUNITY GARDENING IN AMERICA was the topic that answered both questions. For community gardening is a popular idea with a spotty track record that`s well documented. We have over a hundred years of funding, staff and supply levels going up and down. It's not that people don't consistently like gardening. It's that community gardening has found its steadiest support during crises.
   
   So depressions and wars have been guarantees of community gardening success. That's because people stick to large-group gardening when that gardening is part of the bigger picture. People who like gardening say it's good for character and well-being. But everything needed for community gardening to be wildly successful comes together when the bigger concern is getting our country through major crises here and abroad.
   
   Otherwise, concerns over access, permanence and technology win out. For community gardening has often taken place on rundown and vacant lots. Sooner or later, these lots become attractive to business and investors. The land ends up in other hands, public or private. Community gardening has often depended on funds, people and support from outside, in what the author calls a top-down power structure. Sooner or later, these sources can dry up. And the community may not be ready when that happens.
   
   But community gardening is part of our cultural heritage. What can we do about the ups and downs? The author says each community needs to be guided by a goal of building a city bountiful on earth. Such a city is possible when people are appropriately trained and socially committed to land being used resourcefully. She feels such a goal has become realistic since the last 30 years of the 20th century. For through and since those decades, some community gardening has - and more projects can do likewise - become part of a bottom-up power structure, in which there can be enough funds, people and support locally.
   
   The author has included good index and notes, as well as clear, historic photos from each time period. Her book is nicely organized and clearly written. The book should appeal to a wide audience. As a land care steward trained through Virginia Tech's master gardening program, I'm happy to have the book. The Virginia Tech program is the model for community and school gardening programs throughout the United States, England and Canada. For the Virginia Tech program is living proof that bountiful community gardening is practical and workable.

No comments about Front Yard & Backyard Idea Book.

1 comments about New Brazilian Gardens: The Legacy of Burle Marx.

1. It is a magnificent example of Burle Marx' influences in his native country. Having always admired Burle-Marx works, it is a treat. Also he has influenced modern landscape design worldwide, it was interesting to see how it develop[ed in Brazil.

1 comments about Monet's Garden: Through the Seasons at Giverny.

1. As a long time fan of impressionist art, Claude Monet and gardening, I found this book very informative. The setting is Monet's former home just outside Paris, France. The book details how the grounds were renovated under Monet's direction and how upkeep continues on the grounds today. Many of the settings such as the Lilly Pond are pictured and described in detail. This book is well worth the purchase price for Monet fans.

5 comments about Cleveland Then and Now (Then & Now).

1. I've been in Cleveland now for about 10 years, having moved here permanently to be with my wife. I'm always learning new things about this interesting and often vexing area. Even though I don't especially like living in the Cleveland/NE Ohio area today (this area has been hit hard economically, and it shows), this book has enabled me to learn much more about the glory, grit, and history of this interesting American city, in words and pictures. Cleveland proper was once the 5th largest American city, and the grandiosity and urban landscape and feel has been captured perfectly with the many turn of the century black & white classic photos of the downtown area, or 'Millionaires Row', just to name 2 geographical areas cited in this book! The 'side by side' juxtaposition of many of the classic 'then' pictures to the 'now' pictures, with many structures and/or buildings still standing, is eerily fascinating to say the least. If you live in NE Ohio, or go there often, this book is a MUST. You won't be able to put it down, and you will be mesmerized by Cleveland's humble industrial beginnings that helped mold NE Ohio into what it has become today! Also, looking at all the photos of people that existed 100 years ago makes you feel your own mortality as well. What is considered 'modern' today will be 'classic' or 'retro' tomorrow!



2. This is a wonderful gift for anyone from the Cleveland area as it goes into so many fascinating developments of the region over time.



3. John J. Grabowski is synonymous with chronicling the history of Cleveland as co-editor of The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History and writing other books on various aspects of the city.
   
   Working on this project with Diane Ewart Grabowski has yielded a unique view of the city through its architecture from the dawning of the 20th Century to the beginning of the 21st Century.
   
   Using archival photographs from back then and through commissioned works now, the focus is on the downtown area and some residential neighborhoods. There is text that accompanies the various photographs that adds valuable insight on the city.
   
   What makes the book especially interesting is a person can literally "map out" a walking tour of the portions of the city chronicled to get an even better appreciation on how some areas have had remarkable change, while others have roughly remained the same.
   
   While the book should be of particular interest to northeast Ohio residents and schools, Cleveland Then and Now is a history of the visions of developers & political leaders and - most importantly - the people who made the structures teem with activity during work hours and in the neighborhoods with family & friends.



4. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. Mr. Grabowksi's choice of subject matter made the book interesting, and the "now" photography is beautiful. How lovely were Superior and Euclid Avenues in the past; modern structures today, in my opinion, pale against the architecture of the old mansions... I enjoyed the glimpse of seeing how people dressed and where they shopped. When is the last time you've been in a "dry goods" store? With a spot on the street to tether your horse? This is a must-have piece of history for Clevelanders and history buffs alike.



5. This is a book I know Drew Carey would enjoy since he speaks highly of his hometown! If you are a resident or perhaps planning to visit Cleveland then this book will introduce you to the city's past and present. Great pictures as well. Nice tribute to this great city!

1 comments about The Agnelli Gardens at Villar Perosa: Two Centuries of a Family Retreat.

1. The stunning photos of the Agnelli Gardens span the four seasons and include shots that have been displayed on folded pages to open up over two or four pages, which give the photos extra depth. It was impossible for me to choose a favorite among them, but they sure made me wish I could go and visit the gardens first hand. The narrative was written in a personal and romantic style which made it easy to read, and was punctuated with monochrome and color photos of the house and its occupants - with beautiful children of course! The history of the property and its development spans two centuries and is told in the context of the family and the world around them, which makes it far more interesting than if it had been written only to address garden plans and project progress. To my suprise, even though the gardens are on a grand scale, I found some ideas which could be put to good use in my own garden environment. In short this lovely book did not disappoint, is well worth purchasing and keeping close at hand to look at often.

1 comments about Main Street to Miracle Mile: American Roadside Architecture.

1. "Main Street to Miracle Mile" is an excellent introduction to the development of American cities in this century. What's more, it takes what could be a dull topic and makes it lively by looking at such structures as gas stations, motels, and shopping centers and showing how the changes in the architecture of these businesses reflect the changes that were taking place in American society. Good photographs from many parts of America illustrate the impact a more mobile population has had on the location, size, and design of the buildings that serve us. While this book has been used as a text for college classes, it also can be very enjoyable for the casual reader.

5 comments about Home Landscaping: Midwest Region: Including Southern Canada (Home Landscaping).

1. Excellent ideas and designs with excellent plant choices. Great for the beginner or designer to create updated and hardy garden designs that put on a show throughout the seasons.I am a designer and love books, this is once of the easiest to understand and carry out.



2. A big problem I've had with gardening books is that they so often cover areas with different climates (such as the wet Pacific Northwest) than that which I have to face here in the American Midwest. This book, however, has shown itself to be an excellent resource!

   It starts out with a portfolio of 23 designs, giving the reader excellent advice on appearance and what plants to use, complete with color pictures, and a sample graph paper design. After that, it has step-by-step instructions (again with great color illustrations) on building projects, such as sidewalks, walls, patios and so much more. The final part of the book is a series of plant profiles that looks at garden plants and their needs.

   So, just to make everything perfectly clear, I loved this book, and highly recommend it to every gardener in the American Midwest!




3. This book is a good source for midwest-specific plantings and landscape ideas. I found I didn't have to look up the growing zones of plants I found interesting, wondering "Would this plant grow well around here?"

   I also enjoy the overall friendly tone of the text. Some other books of this type that I own are written in a stuffy, almost highbrow manner.

   The only thing I would have liked to have seen more of in this book is more actual photographs of the landscapes. There are many photos of the featured plants, but the book relies heavily on artwork for the landscape design images.




4. This book is a tremendous resource for landscaping in the midwest. It provides great ideas for landscaping for different seasons, conditions, and locations. Most of the recommended varieties of plants are easy to find at your local nursery which has always been a problem with other books I have used. The pictures and drawings really provide extreme value when trying to picture how plants will look together. It has already given me enumerous great ideas and suggestions.



5. This was a very helpful book - straightforward and practical ideas for plantings around my house & yard. It included planting layout diagrams, plant list and sketches of what things might look like during different seasons.

5 comments about Florida, My Eden (Stresau Landscape Design Series).

1. As a newcomer to Florida I knew nothing about local horticulture. This book was a tremendous aid in my education. It gives straightforward information about many plants, trees and shrubs including growth habits, size, best locations and culture. The book is well organized and the info is easy to access.



2. Great book for the southern parts of Florida. It was hightly recommended by our Plant Nursery. Fairly good pictures but great discriptions of plants, trees, shurbs etc.



3. Great book covering a broad range of palms, trees, shrubs, flowers, vines, etc. Includes photographs on each plant covered, along with cultural info. like how much cold they can handle, where they come from, ultimate size, best way to use in the landscape, and leaf, fruit, & flower descriptions. I use this regularly when trying to decide what to put where, in the landscape.



4. Although this book seems to have some good information in it, the multitude of grammar- and spelling-related errors made it difficult for me to trust the other information disseminated by it. A stronger editorial effort would have helped quite a bit.

   I feel like the book is extremely vague with regard to the provenance of each species - an increasingly important issue in the state of Florida. The book would also be so much more useful to most Florida gardeners, horticulturists, and landscape architects if the author would have made more of an effort to more clearly delineate those species that are native to the state and those that are exotic (and invasive, if applicable).

   With that said, the book remains a fairly good reference, especially for beginners. Nice color photographs and a seasoned landscape architect's opinions/observations about how to use each plant in Florida landscapes.




5. This is a good book to start with if you've just moved to Florida and need to understand the landscape. It's well illustrated and laid out logically, but you'll find yourself looking for plants and trees you've seen in Florida that just are not in this book.

No comments about Great Landscape Evergreens.