2 comments about DAVIDSON ART OF ZEN GARDENS PA.

1. The book was used as a guide for a cross-cultural communications class. It was useful and informative.



2. This brief work gives a great overview of all of the elements that compose a zen garden. Beginning with a simple history of Japanese gardening, the author then procedes to elborate on each component of a garden and the various ways that they may be employed. The book is filled with useful drawings to help the aspiring gardener, however the all-too-few photographs in the book are less then great. A nice section of color photos showing completed gardens would have improved what is already a good work.

2 comments about Landscaping for Privacy (Gardening & Landscaping).

1. Very dated book--the shipper sent this book a full week after the rest of my order arrived. They had misstated the condition of the book _VERY USED. A disappointment.



2. For the price, this book was pretty good. I would have liked to see more pictures of various landscaping techniques, but illustrations would have raised the price. I must admit, there is a fortune of text and drawings that one may bennifit from. So for the price, I give it a 4.

No comments about Capability Brown (Lifelines).

2 comments about Designs for Garden Paths: 150 Designs for Walkways, Terraces and Steps (Schiffer Design Book).

1. The beautiful photographs in this book will provide much inspiration for those looking to design a path or walkway, but don't look for a "how to" set of instructions. The author provides some general guidelines and points to consider, but seems to believe that one should leave paving to the professionals.



2. This book is about the role of paving in adding beauty and functionality to the garden. The multitude of materials and patterns presented should yield something easily adaptable to each reader's own situation.

   Many of the examples shown are in large formal gardens, but the ideas are viable on a smaller scale as well. There are also a number of projects for smaller patios and walkways.

   Materials used include stone, concrete, brick, terracotta, wood and loose aggregates. Design, installation and the construction of steps are covered.

   This book is a visual delight for the color photos of beautiful gardens incorporating paved features on every page. These are an inspiration to any gardener.

No comments about Roof Gardens.

No comments about Creating Privacy in the Garden.

1 comments about Landscaping Illustrated (Gardening & Landscaping).

1. We bought a fixer-upper. There were a couple of anchor trees, but we did not know what to do. We consulted a couple of landscape architects, but they were giving us common, canned ideas. With this book, we were able to tell them what we wanted and then the architect we chose was able to give us a plan we loved! Thank you Sunset!

1 comments about Landscaping Projects: Simple Steps to Enhance Your Home and Yard (Time Life How-to Gardening).

1. Although not as extensive or comprehensive as some other gardening books out there (see "The Complete Book of Practical Gardening"), this book is excellent for what it sets out to do; namely, provide you with "simple steps to enhance your home and yard." At only 144 pages, it's also easy to carry around with you. I have taken it with me to the garden center many times to make sure I get the right plant(s).

   This book can save you a lot of money if you don't have much experience, as it shows you how to do things yourself (i.e., without hiring expensive landscapers/contractors), like installing a simple patio or a garden walkway, building a raised bed, hedging for privacy or to mask unattractive utility boxes, foundations, etc., enhancing difficult terrain, transforming slopes, designing for difficult (wet, shady, dry, etc.) areas, etc. I have had this book for over a year and it has gotten a LOT of use (and dog-earing)!

2 comments about From Renaissance Monarchy to Absolute Monarchy: French Kings, Nobles, and Estates.

1. If you want a good history of this era, this is not it - unless you are an economist. Only then could you want all of the transactions that occurred in the history of French economics and that is what this book gives you. Everything is told in terms of taxes, fees, and more taxes.
   I am currently reading "The Course of French History," by Pierre Goubert. It is much more enlightening!



2. The book should be called "from the Middle Ages, skimming lightly over the Renaissance to absolutism". There was a lot on the period of the 2-3 kings just prior to Francois I. Then the book glosses over Francois I through Henri III and fast forwards to Henri IV. Most of the book is not on the Renaissance period per se (which arguably started with Francois I). The Wars of religion are almost ignored... This book is of a type currently in vogue with academic historians: there is much statistical analysis of government data, e.g. 2 of 5 people in 1585 did blah-blah. A little dry for my taste. Also, terms are not well defined prior to use. Not a book for the beginner, but, in all fairness, I believe this book was written to be an academic text, not for mass consumption.

No comments about Golf Course Turf Management: Tools and Techniques.