Editorial Review

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Reviews (53)

Not bad, but not great
This was my first book on wine.I've read numerous books on beer, so that was my background coming into the book.
A Terrific Primer
This book is very easy to read and is a good introduction to the world of wine.The tear-out card in the front of the book is easy to carry with you to help with choosing the right wine for your meal at a restaurant.The glossary explains unfamiliar terms and the chapter headings are logically organized. Without being patronizing, the book explains the basics of wine making, flavor characteristics, and food pairings.

Good for a beginner, could use a bit more organization
For someone who's a complete novice to wine (I qualify), the book will start out very enjoyably, especially if you are interested in the wine making process.It gives you a good understanding of the types of wines, and what the names on the labels mean.
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Subjects:  1. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Gardening    5. Regional - General    6. Wine Buying Guides    7. Wine and wine making    8. Cooking / Wine & Spirits    9. Wines   

Reviews (22)

Northeast Weed Bible
This book is absolutely the best on weeds of the Northeast. This is a must forthe library of every gardener or landscaper. It is easily readable, yet has the depth for those who need greater information about the subject. Easily, the most practical format, and it has a detailed index for cross referencing between the common and taxonomic. It also includes a chart on grasses.

Usefull reference book for weeds
I am a member of the Master Gardeners of Harford Co. Maryland.
Answers to "what's this? what's that?" but not all of them
I love this book!I had to have my own copy after seeing one in use at the Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener booth at last year's 4-H Fair.It doesn't ID everything that I find growing around my property, of course, and I definitely agree with S.C. Watson's wishes for information on edibility and invasiveness.Still, this is a terrific book.
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Subjects:  1. Canada, Eastern    2. Gardening    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Identification    5. Life Sciences - Botany    6. Nature    7. Northeastern States    8. Plants - General    9. Regional - General    10. Weeds    11. Horticulture    12. Northeastern & North Atlantic states    13. Pest control   

Editorial Review

The American Horticultural Society's Read more

Reviews (17)

Best book on Propagation
I run a specialist herb nursery and this book is my right hand man. It has 100's of plants and their best propagation methods. Easy to follow diagrams and examples. Well laid out and as well as being informative is an exceptionally interesting read. Suitable for novices and experts. In fact this book is so good that whoever borrowed it two months ago has not returned it and I am about to purchase another copy

Best plant book ever.
This is the most awesome plant book ever. Great Illustrations, very high quality photos, and great explanation of every detail. I bought this book for myself, but an now back to purchase it for my mother. It's not her birthday, it's not mothers, day... she just needs a book like this. It compliments a greenthumb, yet remains easy to understand even for an amateur.
A Thorough Book
I suppose there are many qualities of a good "how to" book, but to me the most important one is its thoroughness: does it cover all aspects of the subject, and does it do so completely? There is nothing more frustrating than to buy one of these books only to later realize that the subject has only been partially covered and you need to buy an additional book . . . or books. "The American Horticultural Society: Plant Propagation", edited by Mr. Alan Toogood, is, indeed, a thorough book -- a "too good" of a book. (Oh, I couldn't resist.)
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Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Horticultural Plant Propagation    5. Plant propagation    6. Regional - General    7. Techniques    8. Gardening / Techniques   

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Horticulture (General)    5. Reference    6. Regional - General    7. Garden design & planning    8. Gardening / General   

Reviews (7)

Native Plants of NE
Excellent book for those of us in the NE States and are gardeners. This book is particularly good for people moving into the area.

great resource
A local nursery owner had recommended this bood as a guide in helping me landscape my new yard. The information is great and the pictures are extremely helpful. It offers a lot of variety and not your everday-popular plants/shrubs. I'm looking forward to having things my neighbors don't even know about!

Well worth buying for native plant enthusiasts
This is alot more than a seed catalog read.I enjoyed the Professor's introduction, in which he shares a great deal about many plants in the book, his favorites, why, and how they work in his own garden.Not particularly applicable to me personally was a good deal of information on ecosystem types in the Northeast and wetland information.
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Subjects:  1. Gardening / Horticulture    2. Native plant gardening    3. Native plants for cultivation    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Northeastern States    7. Plants - General    8. Regional - Canada    9. Regional - New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)    10. Nature / Plants    11. Nature   

Editorial Review

Marty Nachel immediately dispels two long-held myths in Read more

Reviews (20)

Good beginner book
This was one of my first homebrew books.I now have a whole bookshelf of brewing books.The two things that set Homebrewing for Dummies apart is that it covers many topics without going into great depth and it has an excellent index.This book is a great quick reference for beginning brewers though when it isn't loaned out I still look things up in it.

Good reference guide for beginner brewers
I've been a homebrewer for three years now, and have learned a lot in that time.It took an entire year prior to just get down the vocabulary used in homebrewing terms, and this book helped with that process all along the way.It's chock full of the basics of homebrewing, and I refer to it each time I brew a new recipe.It's definitely for beginners though.As my brewing techniques have advanced, so have my references.

Good general guide book.
I have been brewing for about 3 years now and still find useful items in this book.I have still not moved to all grain, but for the beginner this is a good all around book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Beer    3. Beverage Technology    4. Beverages - Beer    5. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    6. Brewing    7. Cooking / Wine    8. Gardening    9. Regional - General    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Beers    12. Cooking / Wine & Spirits    13. Food & Drink / Cookery   

Reviews (27)

Don't be dumb - buy the hardcover
If you are serious enough about gardening to want this book, get one that won't fall apart.The hardcover is just a few more bucks, and if you throw in another small item you'll qualify for free shipping.I just replaced my 1988 hardcover edition, and it's still in fabulous condition despite being constantly used.(I keep it sitting in my kitchen, next to my cookbooks, where it can be easily grabbed when a flash of gardening inspiration hits.)The only reason I replaced it was to get the updated information in the newer edition.This book is without a doubt the gold standard of garden books.

Better every edition!
It had been 7 years since I had purchased my last Western Garden Book and I am totally excited about this updated version! I especially appreciate the addition of Alaska and Hawaii, since my climate is not unlike Alaska. My favorite is the "natives" section. Absolutely the best!

a must for western gardeners
This is my second copy of the Sunset Western Garden Book.The old copy is tattered and currently in my trunk.That way I am sure to have a reliable reference when I have the urge to purchase a plant.I have only come across one plant that wasn't listed. (Sunset, why did you dis the Dombeya?)
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Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. Flowers - General    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Landscape    7. Regional - General    8. Techniques    9. West (U.S.)   

Reviews (7)

Boy! I miss California so much!
Native California plants have their own way of showing natutual beauty. This book catches the spirit of these plants. Would like to see more closeup pictures so that I can learn to identify them.

Great reference book supplement
Easy to read, concentrates on native plants so can narrow search, good addition to the library.

Wonderful book!
This book distinguishes itself by offering wonderful color photgraphs of most of the plants it discusses.This is a significant advantage for neophyte native plant gardeners.Other valuable and well-respected books on the same topic, such as Growing California Native Plants by Marjorie G. Schmidt, don't offer even close to the same pictorial experience.
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Subjects:  1. California    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Native plant gardening    6. Native plants for cultivation    7. Reference    8. Regional - General    9. Regional - West (AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, UT, WY)   

Reviews (17)

#1 must have in Texas
As far as I'm concerned this is the bible for texas gardening.I refer to it for lawn care, landscaping, tree planting, flower beds and vegetable gardening.

A bit dated but good
Some of the info is old, but most is good. He tends to lean heavily toward chemical usage, insecticides, fertilizers, etc. A good basic start on Texas gardening.

A complete gardening book
This book gave me information from beginning to advanced.It covered the best plants for Texas.Any question you might have is answered in this book.A great resource for Texas gardeners, of any level. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Horticulture (General)    5. Reference    6. Regional - General    7. Texas    8. Gardening / Regional   

Reviews (14)

The Only Books You Need for Florida Gardening
I have purchased all of Pamela's books because they tell you everything you need to know about Florida gardening, with pictures!But most importantly, Pamela has experimented with every plant described in the books and knows what works and what doesn't.She also discusses the maintenance and light conditions required for each plant to keep it looking healthy.Follow her advice and enjoy you garden.It will be beautiful!
An Excellent Resource for (South) Florida Gardeners
My husband got this book for me when he saw all the positive reviews.I was initially reluctant because I thought it was going to be just silly and repetitive.I was WRONG.
Central Florida Gardener
This looks like a wonderful book, but I live in Tampa.Central Florida is a gardening transition zone and many of the plants listed in this book will not work for me.I thought this book was going to be revised in 2004 to cover more of Florida.I am really looking forward to that.I have not bought this book yet, but will when the revision is complete.I have been watching for it for over a year. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Regional / South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV)    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Regional - South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV)    5. Drought-tolerant plants    6. Florida    7. Gardens    8. Low maintenance gardening    9. Pictorial works   

Editorial Review

Although primarily a reference text, Read more

Reviews (10)

Informative
Very informative.I've learned more about pruning from this book than from any other source.It's easy to read and understand and contains so much additional information such as best times to water, planting techniques, affects of weather and bugs, etc.I could go on and on, but I'll just state what my cousin told me ..... just buy this book!

Very useful
I do not usually write reviews, but this item is very useful, and with very effective pictures, so that I was compelled to recommend it to other readers.
Great reference
I bought this book to use as a texted book in a pruning class at school. It gave us lots of listings so we could learn the basics on pruning almost anything. The only thing I found confusing, was finding some terms. Other then that I am happy with it and am not selling it back. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Horticulture (Specific Aspects)    5. Plants    6. Pruning    7. Regional - General    8. Techniques    9. Training    10. Gardening / Techniques   

Reviews (6)

The Most Complete Reference
This is the most complete reference I have in my collection of gardenbooks. I have yet to find a plant variety that is not in this book. Truly a"must have" for any gardener.

Excellent resource!
One of the first books I reach for when I feel I need to look something up.Good for beginners and hardy gardening veterans. Know how for the garden ignoramus
Essential for anyone who starts out, as well as for the one who knows a bit about flora and fauna and how to bring colour, fragrance and life to his/her home and garden. Thoroughly recommended by one who did not know atoss about gardens but can now actually dabble with an Adenium Obesum inthe home! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Plants    6. Reference    7. Regional - General   

Reviews (9)

Best Garden Color for Florida
It is very difficult to find a good reference gardening book for South Florida specially for the Miami area.This book along with her other book "Easy Gardens for South Florida" are a must for anyone trying to garden in South Florida. Great information on all the plants listed in the book.

Coloring a Florida garden.
This very splashy book with big type, excellent large color photos on big pages is a useful guide if you are looking to brighten up your Florida garden. Crawford provides more information about how to care for each plant than is available in most books. The format of two facing pages for each plant with the information arranged in a common format and organization makes it very easy to use.
Great book!
I've lived in Florida for five years and always wanted a lot of color in my garden. Most of my efforts failed, except for annuals which I constantly have to replace. This book introduced me to a whole new group of easy perennials that bloom a lot and last for years! And each plant description has more care information than any other book I've ever seen! This book has changed my garden from drab to gorgeous! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Flowers - General    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. General    6. Regional - General   

Reviews (5)

Gorgeous and Useful Book for us TEXANS
Really shows you which plants grow well in our region.Also gives nice ideas for plantings.

Yes, but how do you. . .
If you need a book to give you an idea about a space and what to do with it, this is the book.Great photos and wonderful ideas.Unfortunately you will need additional reference material to get you from point A to point B (if you are a novice like me).This is a very good book to start with!

Great ideas, but should have expanded upon them.
This is a tale of two books. The first one explains landscaping principles to the not-so-artistically inclined, and makes landscaping attainable to us. It contains beautiful design examples that could even be copied and installed as is. You can learn how to make eye-catching corners in your yard, design and install a garden with a water element, merge your landscape into a woodland, make a shady hideaway, and much more. If you want a book that will get you over the creative hurdle, save yourself a bunch of money, and create a yard that is the talk of the town, this book is a must-have reference.
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Subjects:  1. Design    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Gardens    6. Landscape    7. Landscape gardening    8. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Pools, Water Gardens, Ponds    9. Regional - Southwest (AZ, NM, OK, TX)    10. Texas    11. Gardening / Landscape   

Editorial Review

Is there any flower more sensuous and romantic than the rose? Rosesaren't just fragrant and beautiful; they're also easy to grow and come inhundreds of varieties and colors. Read more

Reviews (16)

It's OK...
Very informative on a broad range of all things roses, but mainly on the surface-level; a good book for dummies, but not beyond.
Rapid shippment
Book was actually better condition than described.Shippemnt and devilery were very prompt.

Wonderful Book You Must Own
I am new to rose gardens and devoured this book in no time.Very interesting and helpful insights into the world of roses and how to care for them.My book has may bent over pages that I refer to over and over again.This book is a must for any beginner to roses. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Floriculture    2. Flowers - Roses    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Regional - General    7. Rose culture    8. Roses    9. Flowers    10. Gardening / Flowers / Roses   

Reviews (6)

One of few books on the subject
Perhaps this book would be best utilized by a geologist interested in learning how soils effect vines/plants. Professor White introduces the book by stating the common notions of "terroir" but concludes irregardless of the term, "the soil cannot be ignored as an integral component of wine [grape] growing." This is indeed the premise behind this study.
Soils For Fine Wines
A great book on beginning growing. To get the full understanding about what Mr white is talking about the book Science in Agriculture I feel, should be read first. Great section,along with the pros and cons, of different types of irrigation. Seems to lean a little heavy on the soils of California. For the person not growing grapes but enjoys good wine it is an excellant sorce of how the wine gets its flavor. The principles presented will aid anyone growing almost anything.

A long-needed book
In "Soils for Fine Wines" Robert White sets to provide information needed for better understanding of how soils and their properties relate to management and wine-grape production. This book is a long-needed one indeed; most other viticultural books are discussing soil as an environmental factor only in passing.
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Subjects:  1. Agriculture - Agronomy    2. Agriculture - Crop Science    3. Agriculture - Soil Science    4. Regional - General    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Soil Science    7. Soils    8. Technology    9. Technology & Industrial Arts    10. Viticulture    11. Wine and wine making    12. Earth Sciences | Soil Science    13. Science / Horticulture   

Reviews (2)

As good as a book around
This book covers many principals of viticulture and enology, and does very, very well. Comprehensive scientific overview
Jackson provides a well-written overview of viticulture and oenology, withacademic rigour and a bias towards more recent research.This book was very useful in my studies through the Cape Wine Academy, and Iexpect it to continue being a useful reference.Make sure to pick up the second edition, it contains significantly more material than the first.
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Subjects:  1. Beverage Technology    2. Beverages - Beer    3. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    4. Cooking    5. Food Science    6. Gardening    7. Regional - General    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Viticulture    10. Wine And Wine-Making    11. Wine and wine making    12. Medical / Nutrition    13. Winemaking technology   

Reviews (4)

Great book; easy to understand, much useful information.
I like this book a lot.Terrific pictures, simple explanations.It is just what I needed to find the kinds of plants I can grow in the south without driving myself nuts.

Great for novices and transplant gardeners - and funny!
I'm not an avid gardener, and don't have a shelf full of garden books - in fact this is nearly the only one.Fortunately, it turns out to be all I needed to make my little bit of space presentable without spending lots of money and effort.Whether you'd rather not water for environmental reasons, can't spend a lot of time coping with your lawn, or just like sturdy Southern plants, this is a great book.It's also surprisingly funny!(The bulbs section starts with a sidebar entitled "Tulips Hate the South" - already found that one out, thanks.)
A great resource, even for Florida
I am a beginning gardener, and Felder Rushing's book is helping me figure out how to replant where too much wax myrtle, Virginia creeper and palmetto have taken over my five acres. I am already using (and quoting!) the advice. An experienced gardener might not get as much from the book, but it's a fun read for anyone. Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Landscape plants    5. Low maintenance gardening    6. Regional - General    7. Regional - South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA    8. Southern States    9. Gardening / Regional / South (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV)   

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. General    5. Regional - General    6. Garden design & planning   

Reviews (3)

Excellent
The best garden book overall. A smart book. Creative. Great pics. VERY Comprensive. Wish Id bought hardback.Complete. Very readable. Projects are suberb. Voluminous. A must for every serious gardener.

Inspiring but no help implementing
I expected more for the price. There are some nice ideas and a few plans, but the plans don't contain measurements. This is not very professional and makes implementation very difficult. Nice for dreaming, but no real help planning.

All western landscapes types, many photos & diagrams
This is a very comprehensive book describing all western regions including the low and high desert, the Pacific Northwest and southern California. The book includes many landscape ideas with diagrams and suggested plant types and many plant photos. Ideas for special needs such as privacy, patio & small spaces , desert areas, swimming pools, decks, lots for shade, low water and other requirements are covered. Types of fencing and decking are also covered. If you are starting out with a bare backyard, as I am, this is the book for you! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. Gardening/Plants    4. General    5. Landscape    6. Landscape Design And Planting    7. Regional - West (AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, UT, WY)