The Garden Book

This is a gigantic and beautiful book, and I disagree with those who find no inspiration for the small home garden in these pages. Each incredible location receives only one photograph, and at first I wanted to see more of each garden. But as I turned the pages I began to enjoy the sheer creativity and incredible variety on each page. The photos are gorgeous and the text is intelligent. True, I can't replicate these gardens with my space and money, but I find inspiration here and can improvise and scale it to size. I have learned a great deal about the greatest gardens in the history of the world, some of which are now reduced to ruin or exist only in historical record.

Great book for anybody who wants to get an overview of garden designs there are, anyone who wants to have a taste of what a designer does to look up his work in depth somewhere else. Illustrations are beautiful, descriptions are short and informative. What else to wish for?

Like another reviewer, I did feel myself inspired by this particular work. Not all of us have the space, means or skill to create such things of beauty but is is somehow comforting to know there are those in this world who can. I must admit that I did pick up some very nice ideas and parts of ideas from this work and recommend it for anyone who likes to scratch around in the dirt and simply likes pretty things.

A first glance I expected to find a garderner's manual in minature, but not so, I should have known better knowing Phaidon as I do. A fabulous little book which chronicles fabulous and famous gardens worldwide, ancient and modern, tropical to traditonal, endlessly interesting and inspirational even it does not give planting and planning tips and shcemes. I know I'm British and gardening is in my blood but this delightful little book has universal appeal!