As scenery and places of recreation, parks are a vital part of our well-being. Their existence is almost taken for granted, yet they are often threatened as they suffer from pressures applied by conflicting interests. The English Park: Royal, Private and Public follows their long history and makes a case for the continued care of this tradition both in the preservation of existing parks and the creation of new ones in our cities.
Parks have been an inseparable part of British lifestyle for nearly a thousand years. Sir Francis Bacon wrote that "Nothing so refreshes a man's spirit as a garden. Buildings and Palaces without a garden are but Grosse Handy-works." For visitors to Britain, the English park is a delight, be it a refreshing oasis in the middle of London or the large, formal garden of a great country house set in the middle of an emerald forest. In this beautifully illustrated book, the first major study of the subject, we see the development of the park from ancient times until the present day.
In classical Greece, parks were generally gymnasia, and in the early middle ages a sort of auxiliary farm where fish were grown in ponds and game husbanded for the chase. By the late middle ages hunting had become a highly ritualized sport, closely linked with chivalry, and solemn pageants were acted out on the meadows and in forests. In the sixteenth century, after the Tudors brought relative peace to the greater part of England, the rich, landed aristocracy started building magnificent places - Hampton Court, Longleat, Penshurst Place, Richmond Palace - and first conceived of the park as an embellishment to architecture. Walks became a major feature of gardens and parks, as exercise and the contemplation of nature were added to the joys of the chase. Thanks to Le Notres formal and ceremonial garden at Versailles, by the late 17th century waterworks and follies attempted to subdue nature by art and the garden and park competed with the palace as an expression of the genius of architect and decorator. The 18th century was the age of Capability Brown, Sir John Vanburgh, William Kent and Joseph Addison, an era of triumph for the English Park, marked by the emergence of the giardino inglese or Englische Garten throughout Europe. Lovely pavilions for pleasure were put up in landscapes so subtly controlled that they seemed absolutely natural, and this period saw the creation of the great parks of London; Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St. James and Richmond Parks, as well as Regents Park. The pleasure of the aristocracy was brought to the people and the impetus in gardening switched from the private domain to the public.
To tell this fascinating story, Susan Lasdun draws on many literary sources, in prose and verse, and has sought out remarkable historical documentation as well as delightful and largely unpublished illustrations. This book will appeal to all who seek escape from the pressures of urban life into the bucolic world of the park.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
US$ 4.25
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
US$ 4.25
Within U.S.A.
Seller: BookHolders, Towson, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. [ No Hassle 30 Day Returns ][ Ships Daily ] [ Underlining/Highlighting: SOME ] [ Writing: SOME ] [ Edition: First ] Publisher: The Vendome Press Pub Date: 1/1/1991 Binding: Hardcover Pages: 216 First edition. Seller Inventory # 4734286
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. First Edition. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 3580424-6
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # 5393462-6
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: As New. Like New condition. Like New dust jacket. A near perfect copy that may have very minor cosmetic defects. Seller Inventory # X12C-02022
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 15-0865651310-G
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 2.25. Seller Inventory # G0865651310I5N01
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 25-0865651310-G
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003739379
Quantity: 3 available
Seller: Gian Luigi Fine Books, Albany, NY, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: VG. Dust Jacket Condition: VG. First Edition. Seller Inventory # 007550
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Abacus Bookshop, Pittsford, NY, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Fine copy in fine dust jacket. Profusely illustrated (illustrator). 1st edition. 4to, 216 pp. Seller Inventory # 046569
Quantity: 1 available