Reviews (6)

There are better choices
In my opinion,this book is a very superficial overview of pond construction.A far better choice is "Ortho's All About Building Waterfalls, Ponds, and Streams", for the same price [or slightly cheaper]."Ortho's" covers the topic much more thoroughly than this "complete guide".

Good fundamentals.
Excellent fundamental instructions for ponds and waterfalls.If you are doing a stream also, you might want to consult another title or two on the same subject. You will also need some more education on plants for your pond.But for basic pond and waterfall, this is the best I have read.
Only pictures
If you are a beginer in pond building and you need everything explained to details, do not buy this book. I bought it and it's just not good. You can read it under a hour and you'll see only pictures with nothing on them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design and construction    2. Garden Design    3. Gardening    4. Gardening/Plants    5. General    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Landscape    8. Reference    9. Water gardens   

Editorial Review

"The language of landscape," writes ecologist Anne Whiston Spirn, "is our native language." She elaborates: humans lived in natural landscapes well before they knew how to build houses; knew how to read the movements of clouds and birds well before they developed grammars and symbols. Anyone with a keen sensibility can recover that language, she suggests: "A person literate in landscape sees significance where an illiterate person notes nothing. Past and future fires, floods, landslides, welcome or warning are visible to those who can read them in tree and slope, boundary and gate." Spirn goes on to discuss human interactions with the landscape, taking as cases in point such matters as the dolmens of prehistoric Europe, environmentally friendly houses in Denmark and Australia, fountains in Paris, and tree-lined city streets in Philadelphia. Along the way she cites scholars, architects, and artists, learning lessons in how to read place and built form from the likes of Christopher Alexander, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Rachel Carson. She closes with an appeal to landscape architects, builders, and designers to study the natural details of place more closely before they set about changing it: "In landscapes ... the key is to establish a framework that provides overall structure--a structure not arbitrary but congruent with the deep context of a place, to define a vocabulary of forms that expresses the natural and cultural processes of the place." Read more

Reviews (2)

Frustrating... but
Anne Whiston Spirn has a lot of truly important and enlightening things to say in "The Language of Landscape".Unfortunately, she makes the reader slog through an indulgent and contrived writing style in order to understand her.At the end of the chapter, "Language of Landscape", she explained how a person fluent in its elements could "read" a landscape, and how this is crucial to understanding the world.Yet she never fully articulates this in the following chapter, "Elements of Landscape and Language", with anything more than impressionistic vignettes of places she has visited.It wasnot at all what I was expecting, and left me frustrated and wondering what point she was trying (and failing) to make. The Nowadays City Health in Urban Processes.
The Language of Landscape regads to a very important subject - the new values that has composed the urban drawing - which has contributed a lot for the enviromental health of the nowadays cities.Finding new waysto focus on the physic enviroment of the urban areas, Spirn offers aphilosophic and conceptual base for the Urban Drawing, while illustrates,with real examples, the practical application of the theory.It is agood masterpiece, reflecting the result of years of experience in treatingthe lack of attention with the enviroment nowadays, the lack ofcomprehension of the natural processes - which has contributed to thephysical shapes of the cities, and has invaded virgin areas, as forests,making this areas sterile - the recuperation of landscapes, according tothe natural regeneration, and also themes reflecting directly the urbanprocesses, like water, energy, nutritive resources - which are subproductsof the urban draining - and other functions of the urban processes whichhas not received attention and has contributed a lot for the contaminationof the overburden enviroment.It is a good tool for urban planners andenviromental designers, while treating the esthetic values on which theformal landscape of the cities has based-developed. This values havealittle connexion to the natural process dinamics and lead to mistakenattitudes, if they are not well known. It is also rich in questionslike values enviromental perceptions and how we answer to the enviromentaround us , if we can demonstrate that there are ways to adjust the urbanlandscapes in a very cheaper way, and with much more social value than thetradicional ones. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Landscape    3. Architecture / Landscape    4. Garden design & planning    5. Landscape art & architecture    6. Semiology    7. Art & Architecture   

Subjects:  1. Architectural Design    2. Architecture    3. Architecture (Specific Aspects)    4. Landscape    5. Architecture / Landscape    6. Landscape art & architecture    7. Public buildings: civic, commercial, industrial, etc   

Reviews (4)

All along the Iron Curtain
With photos taken in the mid 1980s the author takes us on a pictorial trip along the former Iron Curtain from the Baltic sea coast at Travemunde (West-East Germany) to the Adriatic sea coast at Trieste (Italy-Yugolsalvia [today Slovenia]); with a separate chapter on the Berlin Wall.They are superb photos full of (sad) atmosphere, poignancy and historical importance. Like another reader, I just wish there were more of them. The chapters with photos from the period following the collapse of the Soviet empire and thus its lengthy prison wall with the west are relevant too.The author doesn't provide any lengthy description of the physical nature of the fortifications, history of escape attempts, as well as the constrast in the lives of people on each side of the borders but that has been the subject of other books and there is no need to; the brief comments combined with the pictures are all you need to appreciate it.

Revisionst
The Lost Border by Brian Rose fulfills an historical need by photographing the Iron Curtain before it was relegated to the dustbin of history.The photos are are in color and fill the need of being historical rather than some modern black and white modern art form which would have defeated the whole purpose of the book. I have walked the Berlin Wall many times in the 60's & 70's to take photos and aggravate the guards and for me to see the rest of the Iron Curtain in this large format book was a pleasure. I compliment Mr Rose on his endeavor. These photos show the stark reality of the evil of communism in clear detail.The Lost Border is an asset to any library; home or otherwise.

Great Idea for a Photo Book
I haven't seen anyone else put together a book like this, with shots from all along the Iron Curtain in the Cold War.My only disappointment was that there's not more of it - because the work in here is excellent, and I would have loved for it to not end so soon.Highly recommended for anyone who is interested in what the Soviets did to Eastern Europe until the fall of communism. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany,    3. Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany, 1961-1989    4. Communist countries    5. Europe - Germany    6. Former communist countries    7. History - General History    8. Landscape    9. Pictorial works    10. Architecture / Landscape    11. Eiserner Vorhang    12. Germany    13. Non-Classifiable    14. Photographs: collections    15. Places & peoples: general interest   

Reviews (1)

An expression of interest
Peter Walker and Partners.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. General    3. Individual Architect    4. Individual Architectural Firms    5. Landscape    6. Landscape Architecture And Design   

Editorial Review

When your new gardening bible comes with chapters entitled "Birth," "Life," and "Death," you know you're in trouble. But be brave, turn to those chapters, and in some very practical little essays on planting, you'll uncover the very down-to-earth principle from which Piet Oudolf's radical reinvention of gardening is based: plants die. Read more

Reviews (5)

Inspiration and Implementation
Piet Oudolf is one of today's garden design geniuses. He gives us a book that is both inspiration and implementation. He inspires readers to design gardens that are carefully crafted but appear utterly natural. Then he gives us new, creative tools to make these garden designs. Oudolf focuses on plant structures and gives us easy categories for the forms of herbaceous garden plants. He emphasizes mood, light, movement, and rhythm in garden design. Always thinking outside the box, he even champions spent perennials at season's end. Gorgeous color photos illustrate all points. A must-have for both dreamers and gardeners with dirty hands.

Wow
The gardens in this book are amazing.As a landscape design student, the designs in this book give me something to aspire to. Refreshing and Inspiring
This is not a reference book for active, summer gardening. This is an inspiring book for winter gardening by the fireside, a book from which to dream, plan and design and to gain a liberating aspect of gardening.Read more

Subjects:  1. Design    2. Garden Design    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardens    5. Landscape gardening    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Ornamental plants    9. Plants - General    10. Plants, Ornamental    11. Techniques    12. Gardening / Landscape   

Subjects:  1. 1872-1959    2. Biography    3. Farrand, Beatrix,    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Gardening/Plants    7. General    8. History    9. Landscape    10. Landscape Horticulture    11. Landscape architects    12. Landscape architecture    13. United States    14. Farrand, Beatrix    15. Garden design & planning    16. Geography    17. USA   

Reviews (2)

Great Book
I am building a rock garden in my yard and found this book to be a tremendous source of information. I bought a copy for everyone in my dojo, as well as for several members of my motorcycle club.

Comprehensive
This is a well-planned book that addresses all the major aspects of rock gardening and has ideas to offer gardeners from all parts of North America. One of its strengths is that the writers understand, through experience, the differences in soil and climate that influence rock gardening in different parts of the continent. Because of this personal experience the dissimilarities are addressed fully and not just mentioned briefly.Read more

Subjects:  1. Flowers - General    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Landscape    6. Rock gardens    7. Gardening / Landscape    8. Specialized gardening methods   

Reviews (2)

Arizona Gardener's Guide
Excellent book.Has given me many ideas of flowers to plant in this area.

good, but . . .
This book was recommended to us highly by our real estate agent when we moved to Arizona, it also seems everyone in the subdivision has it.I found it too elementary.It was glossy, and pretty, etc, well presented by publisher. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arizona    2. Climatic - Desert    3. Flowers - General    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Gardening/Plants    7. Landscape    8. Landscape gardening    9. Landscape plants    10. Regional - General    11. Regional - Southwest (AZ, NM, OK, TX)    12. Gardening / Regional / Southwest (AZ, NM, OK, TX)   

Reviews (1)

Not your kids Tree House
There are an awful lot of 'pretty house' books out there. Some of them offering quite unusual house designs. But nothing I've ever seen compares with the designs in this book. ==I've seen houses built on poles because they are located in a flood plain. Of course the Swiss Family Robinson and the Ewoks of StarWars fame lived in tree houses. I had one as a kid, and when my daughter came along, she had one (she could pull up the ladder and keep her brother out).
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Domestic    3. Interior Design - General    4. Landscape    5. Methods & Materials    6. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    7. Tree houses    8. Trees    9. Architecture / General    10. Houses, apartments, flats, etc   

Reviews (1)

Invaluable reference for the landscape professional
As a landscape designer, I use this book almost daily as acomplement toMichael Dirr's texts.The line drawings of each plant in youth andmaturity provide a better idea of its habit than most pictures ever could. The "Problems and Maintenance" section has helped me avoid manypotentially inferior plants, and the "Adaptability" informationgives a nuanced understanding of wind tolerance, pH, light and waterrequirements.Finally, the "Seasonal Interest" symbol provides afinely tuned assessment of the plant's attractiveness throughout the year: I use it to find plants with year-around interest.This is a book forprofessionals who have to live, and die, by their plant recommendations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Canada    2. East (U.S.)    3. Flowers - General    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Gardening/Plants    7. Landscape    8. Landscape Horticulture    9. Landscape plants    10. Regional - General    11. Garden design & planning    12. Gardening / Flowers / General    13. Horticulture    14. Landscape art & architecture   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Landscape    3. Landscape architecture    4. Vocational guidance    5. Architectural structure & design    6. Architecture / Landscape   

Features

• Illustrated

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Design & Drafting    3. Dijon    4. Environmental Engineering & Technology    5. France    6. Landscape    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Waerworks    9. Water-supply    10. Architecture / Landscape    11. FOUNTAINS   

Reviews (3)

Recent LARE test taker
LARE section E has changed significantly since this book was released.It would be good only for general grading practice.the problems are very similar to the pre 2006 version of the test.
great study book
this book is a LOT harder than the real test.so if you can take these practice tests and get them right, you should do fine on the real LARE.

Classic LARE Study Material
I found vignettes #2 and #3 severely out of scale.Vignettes #1 and #9 are slightly out of scale.I am disappointed that our profession cant get it together with the study material for the LARE.With that said, I would buy this book used or split it with a study partner becuase its not worth the full price. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Landscape    2. Professional - General    3. Study Guides   

Reviews (1)

Interesting as well as Practical Ecology
This is an interesting and articulate book for both the specialist and the general reader who cares about a healthy world.It is of significant practical value while at the same time it presents a coherent background of information on which to base action. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. City planning    3. Conservation Of Natural Resources (General)    4. Effect of human beings on    5. Environmental Conservation & Protection - General    6. Environmental Planning And Management    7. Environmental aspects    8. Land use    9. Landscape    10. Nature    11. Planning    12. Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.    13. Architecture / Planning    14. Human ecology    15. Nature / Forests & Forestry    16. Regional & Area Planning   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Cities and towns    3. Growth    4. Land use, Urban    5. Landscape    6. Natural Resources    7. Natural areas    8. Nature    9. Planning    10. Architecture / Landscape    11. Architecture / Planning    12. Management of land & natural resources   

Reviews (6)

A wonderful book
I read LOTS of garden books, a this is one of the best Gorgeous book, gorgeous garden
The joy of this book is that Francis Cabot writes marvelously about a landscape he has loved from childhood -- and, although his garden is rarified, he remains at heart a hands-on dirt gardener, spending hours dividing and transplanting perennials, weeding, replanting, mulling over how a planting could be improved, and all the other tasks that keep gardeners occupied through the growing season and beyond. A great accomplishment
This is one of the most beautiful and inspiring books about the creation and restoration a garden that I have ever seen. The Greater Perfection shows what someone with great taste, imagination, skill and yes, resources can accomplish. What is especially impressive for me as a gardening professional is that all this has been accomplished in a zone 3/4 garden in the Canadian Maritimes. A great book for browsing and reading. Absolutely stunning - the garden we wish we all had. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Garden Design    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. History    6. Landscape    7. Landscape Horticulture    8. Quatre vents (La Malbaie, Que    9. Quatre vents (La Malbaie, Quâebec)   

Reviews (2)

Philadelphia Then and Now
I sat down on a Sunday morning to casually glance through what I thought was just another coffee table photography book.Several hours later, thoroughly relaxed and enlightened, I closed Philadelphia Then and Now, having deliberately devoured every word, every image, every comparison-both visual and written, cover to cover.What fun it was to go back and forth.The effort taken to capture identical images was evident page after page.The attention to obscure and amusing snippets of historical detail tied the "then" black and white photos and the "now" colorful photos together perfectly. Great Memories and Fascinating Pictures
This is a really unique collection of photos from the last 150 years in Center City Philadelphia with recent photos taken at the same location.Would make a great gift for someone with Philadelphia ties.Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural & Industrial    2. History    3. History - U.S.    4. Landscape    5. Philadelphia (Pa.)    6. Photo Essays    7. Photoessays & Documentaries    8. Photography    9. Pictorial works    10. Subjects & Themes - Travel - U.S./Mid-Atlantic    11. United States - State & Local - General    12. Sale Books   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Landscape    3. Landscape contracting    4. Landscape design    5. Soil structure    6. Architecture / Landscape    7. Landscape art & architecture   

Reviews (4)

Not enough Technique
I was disappointed with this book.There is some lovely work illustrated and the biographies of the artists doing the work are comprehensive, but as a newcomer to doing work for outdoor installations I would have preferred more "how-to" information.For instance, there is no chapter on how to deal with the freeze-thaw cycle; you can glean some information from many of the artists about the techniques they use, but it is not organized as a comprehensive topic.The information about the mechanics for making a fountain is sketchy at best--basically, it's determined to be hard to do and must be figured out on a trial-and-error basis.

Art history plus technique
A bit heavy on biographical sketches for my taste, but the bios will be of interest to students of art history.Most bios are followed by a section on "Techniques" containing very useful details, but since the book is organized by ceramists, there is no quick way to find the technical info you are looking for.Well-written and good for casually browsing.

Pretty Good Introduction
Offers an excellent visual guide to outdoor and garden ceramics and a nice insight into the minds behind these strange and beautiful things.If you're looking for an inspirational book, this works.If you're like me and are always looking for more tips and demos, you'll find it's a little on the thin side. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Ceramic sculpture    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Garden Furnishings    5. Garden ornaments and furniture    6. Gardening / Horticulture    7. Hobbies/Crafts    8. Landscape    9. Pottery    10. Pottery & Ceramics    11. Pottery, British