The Oxford Companion to the Garden (Oxford Companions) - Softcover

Taylor, Patrick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0199551979 ISBN 13: 9780199551972

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA, 2009

Synopsis

Now available for the first time in paperback, the magnificent Oxford Companion to the Garden illuminates the history and design of gardens all over the world, from the earliest recorded known examples to the present day, encompassing everything from small private gardens, to the secret gardens of Arab princes, to the vast public park at Versailles.
With hundreds of photographs and illustrations, the book's broad sweep make it the perfect reference for garden-lovers everywhere, offering in 1,750 alphabetical entries wide-ranging coverage that sheds light on virtually every aspect of the topic. The writing is authoritative and engaging and there are sumptuous color photographs by some of the world's best garden photographers as well as elegant engravings of historical subjects. Well over half of the entries are devoted to individual gardens, many of them open to the public. These include every kind of garden from palace gardens to botanic gardens and arboreta, late 20th-century land art, and contemporary gardens everywhere. The volume also provides biographies of garden designers, nurserymen, and others, entries on the worlds of horticulture and plant science, and articles that range from garden elements and styles to scientific issues and social history. Central to the book are the garden cultures of Italy, Britain, France, China, Japan, and the USA, but the coverage is worldwide, including such far-flung regions as Turkey, Peru, and Bali. The contributors include leading authorities and top garden writers from more than 25 countries. Many of their entries include suggestions for further reading and the work's usefulness is further enhanced by a general bibliography, a thematic listing of contents, and an index of gardens, individuals, themes, and features.
"Put plainly, this doorstop of a reference book is worth its weight in gold."
--The Los Angeles Times
"The perfect guide for anyone who wants to learn in an entertaining way about magnificent classical to contemporary gardens of the world.... Can be displayed on your coffee table."
--The Washington Post
"Liberally sprinkled with handsome full color photographs that catch the spirit of the individual landscapes."
--National Gardener
"A word of warning--there's no quick escape from this marvelous book."
--Hugh Johnson

About this title

About the Author

Patrick Taylor is a well-known garden writer and lecturer. He was born in France (he has dual nationality), was educated in Scotland, and now lives in England though he travels widely. He has been writing about gardens and gardening for nearly twenty years and is the author of many books, the most well known of which are detailed below. He also has had regular columns in or written articles for The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph, Country Life, Gardens Illustrated, and The Garden (journal of the Royal Horticultural Society). He is a committttee member of the Lindley Library (Royal Horticultural Society) and of many other garden-related committtees and trusts. He regularly lectures on gardens to societies and on Swan Hellenic Cruises.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Editor Taylor, together with his team of advisory editors and numerous special-interest contributors, has succeeded admirably in creating an updated version of The Oxford Companion to Gardens (1986). In its day, that publication was deemed a "pioneer" book in its field. The new volume expands the original international scope and supersedes and updates the content to include the latest scientific developments while adjusting some focal points to better address today's challenges. Gardens in previously inaccessible areas of the world--China, Eastern Europe, the Middle East--now are documented alongside those from the earlier edition. Genetic modification of plants, Herbicides, Organic gardening, and Pest control are just a few examples of formerly minor topics that have risen to the forefront and here are given ample discussion space.

All sizes, shapes, and types of gardens throughout the world are showcased here, from the Chelsea Physic Garden in London to the Chinampas of Xochimilco, Mexico City. The 1,750 alphabetically arranged entries range in size from just a few lines to several pages. Descriptions of the history of gardening within selected countries, including the styles and movements, are the longest entries. Greatest emphasis is on Great Britain, the U.S., France, Germany, and Italy. Garden descriptions are usually brief and outline histories, designers, size, type, and whether the garden is open to visitors. Biographical entries cover architects, artists, designers, gardeners, scientists, sculptors, writers, and others who influenced garden design. Other entries treat garden styles, features, and terms and various aspects of gardening history and gardening-related activities. Each entry is signed and, where appropriate, contains bibliographic references. Stunning full-page color plates of notable gardens are interspersed throughout. A thematic index is located at the beginning of the guide, preceding the main text, while a "Select Index," providing see references instead of page numbers, and a topical bibliography are at the end.

One would be hard-pressed to find many other garden guides equivalent in scope or authority to this work. The three-volume Encyclopedia of Gardens: History and Design (2001) is more comprehensive but also more focused on Europe. A treat for garden lovers and an excellent starting point for anyone exploring gardens throughout the world, The Oxford Companion to the Garden is not to be missed. Highly recommended for public and academic libraries. Ann Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0199551979
• ISBN 13: 9780199551972
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 584