1 comments about Laura C. Martin's Southern Gardens: A Gracious History and a Traveler's Guide.

1. Laura C. Martin's book about Southern Garden's is published on a fine high quality paper with wonderful color photographs. All of the South's wonderful public gardens are included. The book does a fabulous job of educating the reader about the gardens but is so complete it truly serves as a travel guide for the must see gardens of the South.

2 comments about Microclimatic Landscape Design: Creating Thermal Comfort and Energy Efficiency.

1. This book has a very simple to understand approach to teaching about site design. Although it is a textbook layout...it is a quick read, with lots of images and diagrams and great breakups of points within the chapters...just an absolutely enjoyable format with lots of interesting information. I would recommend this book for anyone who is even considering any kind of landscaping...whether it's on their own home, or on a large construction site.



2. This book was an interesting read. However, I felt like the authors were torn between speaking to a scientific or a more general audience. I believe the book was written for a general audience but there were some algebraic equations in some chapters which I thought might lose some people. I personally was looking for a more scientific book on the subject and so was a little dissapointed by the water-down and sometimes repetative language.

No comments about Basics Designing with Plants (Basics).

No comments about Representation of Places: Reality and Realism in City Design.

No comments about Country, Park & City: The Architecture and Life of Calvert Vaux.

No comments about Designing With Perennials.

1 comments about Streets and the Shaping of Towns and Cities.

1. This books describes the history and evolution of residential streets in the US and Britain. It remains very objective, until the last chapter when the authors push for the shared streets concept. As a transportation planning professional, I found it very informative and compelling. It did the impossible: it changed my mind on the value of cul-de-sacs.

No comments about Civil Rights Memorials and the Geography of Memory (Center Books on the American South).

4 comments about The Essential Garden Book.

1. This is, without a doubt, one of the finest gardening design books I have come across. It shows many different styles of gardens with distinct flair. If you want to be inspired by innovative ideas, buy it. It is one of my two favorite gardening books---and I have many.



2. This book is a beautifully photographed, well written book about landscaping. It is like owning a pictoral encyclopedia for gardeners.



3. One of the most useful and innovative garden books. If you are looking for inspiration, this is a good one to buy.



4. The pictures are inspirational and the advise is practical and lyrical. The authors write well and LOVE gardens of all kinds. Everything is covered from balconys to estates, minimal to extravagant, and covered thoughly with many idea engendering photos.

2 comments about Atlas of Rare City Maps: Comparative Urban Design, 1830-1842.

1. Discovered Atlas of Rare City Maps at Micawber books in Princeton, NJ. The college student/clerk said it was her favorite book in the store. I read it. Loved it. Gave it to the City Administrator in our town. He's so delighted by it that, after skimming it, he decided to read it one city at a time; like a morning devotional reading!



2. This book contains some of the loveliest reproductions of old maps I have ever scene. Aside from the beautiful pictures, the author includes interesting and valuable commentary to help the reader understand these city plans in the context of history and geography. All those interested in urban design should read the eloquent forward of this book. It would be highly beneficial if more of our political leaders, and just people in general, understood this era in urban design- the end of the traditional and the beginning of the modern. With the help of this book, perhaps we can bring about a new commitment to intelligent and beautiful urban planning for the future.