The Glory of Gardens: 2,000 Years of Writings on Garden Design.

SCOTT J. TILDEN, ED.

The beauty of gardens has inspired many people not only to create their own patches of nature but also to write about the process and their emotions while doing so. In this unusual volume, Tilden collects writings from a variety of cultures spanning 2 millennia. The entries are divided among chapters covering the principles of gardening, siting a plot, planning it, and selecting plants. Passages include 17th-century writings on creating a Chinese garden, notes on formal English gardens of the 19th century, and musings on the effect of 1960s minimalism on landscapes. The more than 100 writers offering their perspectives include poets, gardeners, philosophers, and architects. Rounding out the book are 95 full-color photos illustrating gardens throughout the world. Abrams, 2006, 256 p., color photos, hardcover, $50.00.