The Chinese Garden: History, Art and Architecture

Rarely do we have a Westerner who can explain the intricacies and beauty of the Chinese Garden, which certainly played an important role in the lives of the Emperors and Empresses, and the Chinese literati. Maggie Keswick, by virtue of her education in Shanghai and her travels in China, has written a unique and lovely book to explain the philosophy behind the Chinese Garden. She has both depth and width in a subject that is scholarly, yet explained so well that the ordinary reader can appreciate. Ancient Chinese gardens gave inspiration to bonsai and miniature landscape art as well as the Zen gardens of Japan. Keswick's use of pictures and stories make the book indeed fulfilling.