3 comments about Discovering the Vernacular Landscape.

1. the book arrived quiclky and I'm happy with it nevertheless it as some underlined sentences (used books are usually like this) but it's quite ok.



2. I was attracted by the title of this book; there's so much to be learned by observing the suburban or rural landscape, which most of us drive through without really noticing or reflecting upon it. Someday a wonderful book will be written on this topic, but this is not it. Instead, John Jackson presents us with a series of 'musings,' for lack of a better word, about the vernacular landscape. At times, the writing takes on a stream-of-consciousness quality that leans too heavily toward personal reflection. Topics include the grid-road network of the US midwest, placement of county courthouses within town plans, the history of the 'box house,' evolution of the Arts & Crafts style of architecture, and the author's experiences in the US Army in Europe during WWII. Intertwined among these topics are passages in which the author reflects upon the notion of 'landscape' and what it means to him.



3. This is a rather interesting book. The perspective it takes on history is unique. The basic premise is that you can learn a great deal about a society by the way they talk about and treat the land around them. I must admit, it made me look at my surroundings differently. It is a bit slow in places, and after a while I started to loose interest. However, overall I would say that this collection of essays is rather good. You should check it out if you have any interest in the field of landscape studies.

1 comments about Fundamentals of Turfgrass Management.

1. This introductory-level book provides the beginner with the basics of turfgrass management. Scientific names are as up-to-date as possible for the turfgrasses as well as pests that invade them. Diagrams / photos of grasses and grass pests could be more extensive, but the cost of the book would likely escalate beyond the nominal price of this volume, which makes it attractive for use as a text in an entry-level turfgrass course.

No comments about Continuous Productive Urban Landscapes: Designing Urban Agriculture for Sustainable Cities.

2 comments about Open: New Designs for Public Space.

1. I haven't read this book, except for some excerpts. However, I've read a number of pieces on how marvelous Roppongi Hills is. The people who write these pieces don't have much first-hand experience. I live beside Roppongi Hills. They've built a massive outdoor speaker system right across the street from some existing housing. That's turned a whole neighborhood into a noise pollution hellhole.

   Take these puff pieces with a grain of salt.




2. OPEN: new designs for public space proves that public space has a rich and exciting future. With inspiring projects from six continents, this attractive volume casts a wide net that includes both traditional forms of public spaces (plazas and squares) and exciting hybrids, such as temporary installations that can transform unused spaces into inviting community resources. The essays and interviews also present architects and designers acting as facilitators as much as form makers. In addition to architects, landscape architects and planners, the volume is enriched by contributions from artists, graphic and industrial designers as well as critics and thinkers.

No comments about Earthworks And Beyond: Comtemparary Art In the Landscape.

No comments about Landscapes in History, 2nd Edition (One Volume).

No comments about Gardens of Historic Charleston.

5 comments about Identification, Selection, and Use of Southern Plants: For Landscape Design.

1. Although the black/white interface may seem antiquated, the plant list is extensive enough to make this a REAL resource for even the nonprofessional gardener. Great and reliable reviews of nearly everything Southern in a garden.



2. An excellent reference for the serious Southern Gardener.



3. This is absolutely the best reference book for Southern gardeners. If "it" is not mentioned here, "it" is not meant to be planted in the South. Information is easy to understand for beginning gardeners. I am on my second edition.



4. Gardening is a lifestyle that sings to my soul. This is THE hymnal. Pick up a copy and sing with me.



5. I own and operate a nursery and use the book constantly. Not many books focus on the south but finally, one that does. It is very factual and offers a lot of supplemental information in addition to identification of plants.

1 comments about American Gardens, 1890-1930: Northeast, Mid-atlantic, And Midwest Regions (Urban and Suburban Domestic Architecture).

1. Acanthus Press puts out the most beautiful books and this one does not disappoint. Garden's of the american aristocracy of the northeast and midwest are put on display with gorgeous images to accompany the scholarly text. These gardens are breathtaking and though layed out many years ago, they resonate today; true beauty is eternal I suppose. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in formal gardens of the Gatsby set or frankly to anyone with a love for beautiful things. A gorgeous book on a gorgeous subject, another great book from Acanthus Press.

No comments about Silent City on a Hill: Picturesque Landscapes of Memory And Boston's Mount Auburn Cemetery.