Alhambra: A Moorish Paradise (Small Books of Great Gardens) [Hardcover]

Gabrielle Van Zuylen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Small Books of Great Gardens | Publication Date: October 1, 1999

This volume describes the gardens of the Alhambra, Spain's most visited monument. Started during the Islamic conquest of Spain, it contains a dazzling series of lace-like courtyards, a well as the gardens of the Generallife. Outside the fortress walls of the Alhambra, the "Gardens of the Architect" have symmetrical beds of flowering plants framed by romantic architecture and enlivened by the sound of water from myriad fountains and bubbling pools.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

These four exquisite books launch a new series profiling famous gardens, including the Islamic water gardens of Spain's Alhambra; Ninfa, a romantic garden laid out in the ruins of a medieval village 45 miles southeast of Rome; the tropical Moroccan gardens of Majorelle, laid out in the 1920s by French artist Louis Majorelle and now owned by Yves St. Laurent and partner Berg?; and the fairy-tale setting of Apremont, in which a towered castle rises over a flower-filled medieval village on the bank of the Allier River. Each of these little books (6" x 9") relates the history of the region and garden spot and the construction of the garden and includes over 100 color photographs, many double- page spreads. The stunning photography is by noted garden photographer de Virieu, the texts by individuals who know and love the featured garden. All the gardens are open to the public, and each book contains visitor information and garden layouts. Despite a few flaws (the small print in the captions is difficult to read, and Alhambra had a messy word-processing mix-up that wasn't caught), these breathtakingly lovely books make a wonderful introduction for anyone who plans to visit these gardens. Highly recommended for garden or travel collections.ACarol Cubberley, Univ. of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 80 pages
• Publisher: Vendome Press (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865652066
• ISBN-13: 978-0865652064
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #758,009 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Enchanted Palace!, April 3, 2000

By 

Emma Elizabeth Jatib (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Alhambra: A Moorish Paradise (Small Books of Great Gardens) (Hardcover)

In addition to the excellent photos and detailed brief description of the Alhambra and the Generalife, this sixty-nine page book contains other information such as a map of the palace, and of the Generalife garden. It is a great book for anyone who plans to visit this Last Stronghold of the Moors in Spain, or just to remember its enchanted halls, and courts. If you have never been there, this book is a good starting point. You will fall in love with its decorative details, towers, gardens, and pools. The Alhambra is a very romantic and peaceful place. Excellent for students and tourists. However, tales of the Alhambra are found in other books.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful little book, May 4, 2001

By 

Stephen McHenry (Olney, MD USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Alhambra: A Moorish Paradise (Small Books of Great Gardens) (Hardcover)

Great photographs that really evoke the feeling of the Alhambra. Not too much text, but what is there does a nice job of covering the history, the layout, and the essential sense of the place. I purchased the book several months before a trip to Spain for background information. It is also good armchair travel book. I also found that my wife loved it for a gardening book. You can look at the photos over and over again.

Now that we are back from Spain, the book is an excellent reminder of a very lovely place. An interesting book from both travelling and gardening viewpoints.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Alhambra Sampler, March 25, 2004

By 

Susan C. Parks (Highland, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Alhambra: A Moorish Paradise (Small Books of Great Gardens) (Hardcover)

Having visited the Alhambra and believing it to be one of the most uniquely beautiful places in the world, I wanted a book with photos of the building and grounds. It is a great "Small Book of Great Gardens", but I think more photos of the Generalife are in order. I am grateful for the photos of some of the stone design walk-ways. I gave it a four not a five because I felt it needed and I wanted just a bit more!