1 comments about Genius in the Garden: Charles F. Gillette & Landscape Architecture in Virginia.

1. Dr. Longest's work, "Genius in the Garden" is a brilliant achievement. While precise in scholarship, the text is a tremendously enjoyable read. Academician and lay-person alike will easily absorb every sentence. It is a rare joy to find such a masterful use of language combined with such superlative research detail. Dr. Longest's text and supporting references are flawless.

   Anyone; art or general historian, architect, landscape architect, garden designer, researcher of Virginia/Richmond history, or pure devote of the garden, nature, and beauty will thoroughly appreciate and enjoy "Genius in the Garden."

   Charles Gillette played a pivotal design role in early 20th century Virginia, which was felt thorought the country. His ouevre was a developement and transliteration of the uniquely American "Jekyll & Lutyens" synthesis of natural and formal garden design. His career reflected both a poetic and ideal type of style. Gillette, his contemporaries, and the 'zeigheist' which motivated them, were never surpassed in the 20th century or today.

   George Longest's definitive history and biography tributes this genius eye-to-discerning-eye. The photographs are lush, vivid, and constructive. As mentioned the text and supporting documentation is impeccable. No one should regret this lovely book as a welcome addition to their library.

No comments about Alternative Futures for Changing Landscapes: The Upper San Pedro River Basin In Arizona And Sonora.

1 comments about Landscape.

1. This book by noted photographer Toshio Shibata features beautiful, other-worldly images of dams, retaining walls, and sluices throughout Japan. The projects designed by Japanese engineers based on function nevertheless end up looking like radical surfaces. Very inspiring in an Erwin Hauer sort of way.

2 comments about Garden Design Ideas (Best of Fine Gardening).

1. I purchased the book because I thought that anything Fine Gardening put out would be superb. I thought wrong-as a landscaper I'm looking for new and different ideas, Fine Gardenings trademark. If the content wasn't great I thought I could always use the photo's to show clients for ideas- wrong again. The photos are dark and dreary. Again I should have paid more attention to the copy right date.



2. This is the first book I've read on the subject of gardening or design, and I'm glad I bought it. As a novice, I'm now going to buy additional books featuring more plans and how-to's of building walk-ways, walls and other hands-on aspects, but this book explained the basics to me of what is important in a garden and what makes gardens pleasing to the eye. It's got a broad range of topics, and there were a few pieces inside that were really useful. I found some stuff relevant to my style for north-east, but there's also information for California-type gardens and open spaces, i.e., if you have several acres. Very inspirational and great for ideas. It starts with site lay-out and the importance of drawing or making a plan and builds from there. It's a series of articles, all well-written.

No comments about Baillie Scott's Houses & Gardens.

No comments about Modern private gardens,.

No comments about Lare Review, Section C Sample Exam: Site Design.

No comments about A Kid's Guide to Landscape Design (Robbie Readers) (Robbie Readers).

No comments about Terra Cotta: Pots With Style.

1 comments about Fountains - Splash and Spectacle.

1. This is an illustrated history book about fountains. The book is divided into chapters, each with a different attitude towards fountains and written in different ways, so the approach to the fountain is studied from several different angles. Many references and details are contained in the text. Illustrations or photographs are numbered and these numbers are used in the text, so finding the picture of what is being discussed is very easy.

   The photography is excellent (except for the disappointment below) and many are large or full page size, also the illustrations are very clear and interesting.

   I have two disappointments. One is that they made no reference or mention of the Giffian Fountain in Copenhagen Denmark, which is a very impressive Roman chariot, pulled by bulls with sprays out of their nostrils and spray from the wheels, and driven by an impressive Roman woman. I can forgive this, as surely there are many fountains that cannot be included due to limitations of size of the volume.

   The other disappointment was the picture of the Centennial Fountain at West Palm Beach. The photograph was taken at dusk and everything is in shadow and it is therefor dull and lifeless and does not show the fountain in the glory that I know it can show in sunshine. Looks like the photographer had to catch a plane and this was the only shot he could take. I have better shots taken personally. I was a consultant to this fountain and wrote the programmed fountain 'dance' into the control computer. My name is also misspelt in the credits. Ah, well.

   In total, these objections are minor and unnoticeable to the casual reader, the book is extremely interesting and perceptively written. I thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in fountains, either designing them, or just appreciating the subject of these beautiful and delightful creations.