Garish Gardens Outlandish Lawns [Hardcover]

Ronald C. Modra (Author), M. B. Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1998

Pink flamingos, elves and gnomes, whirligigs, windmills and wishing wells, ceramic geese and plastic ducks, oh my! Sophisticated lawn and garden magazines might pretend (or prefer) such anomalies don't exist, but this seasoned author/photographer team knows better. Their research has revealed that, from coast to coast, countless Americans have a love and a penchant for decorating their yards with gizmos that turn the hair of professional landscapers white. This is the vividly illustrated story of America's most garish gardens and lawns and the individualistic group of nationwide yard enthusiasts who invent and maintain them. This book is for those who recognize themselves in its pages. More importantly, writes M.B. Roberts, "It's also for the compulsive lawn-edgers like myself who wouldn't dare drive the metal legs of a pink flamingo into the lawn, but delight in those who do."

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This wonderfully tacky book begins with a quote from Donald Featherstone, the man who created pink plastic yard flamingos. In his words, "Before plastics, only rich people could afford to have poor taste." And poor taste is what this delightful book is all about, the result of writer Roberts' and photographer Modra's tour of the country looking for ticky-tacky lawn ornaments. They found that garden kitsch includes wooden cows and donkeys, metal roosters, plastic sunflowers, frogs, squirrels, deer, bunnies, swans, rubber cacti, old washing machines, toilets, sinks, and bathtubs with flowers growing out of them, a six-foot stuffed Ninja Turtle, the front end of a VW, gargoyles, gnomes, and, of course, those pink flamingos. The bulk of the 80 color pictures here were taken on a 10-day drive from Connecticut to Wisconsin; and about 50 people--owners of all this kitsch--were also photographed. Oh, come on, readers, let yourselves go. Enjoy yourself with this book! George Cohen

About the Author

Ronald C. Modra is a contributor for Willow Creek Press titles including Garish Gardens, Outlandish Lawns.

M.B. Roberts is a contributor for Willow Creek Press titles including Garish Gardens, Outlandish Lawns.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 110 pages
• Publisher: Willow Creek Pr (July 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572231408
• ISBN-13: 978-1572231405
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 6.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,292,727 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Kind of fun, but ultimately disappointing, May 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Garish Gardens Outlandish Lawns (Hardcover)

I expected a lot more from this book than I got. I myself have seen much weirder lawns than are included in this book. It sometimes appears to be more of a comment on class-driven levels of taste than on personal weirdness and eccentricity, and I didn't like that. Interesting to browse, but not worth the price, in my opinion. For this type of book, "Weird Rooms" is much better.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars WILDLY HUMOROUS, AN UNEXPECTED TREASURE BOOK, July 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Garish Gardens Outlandish Lawns (Hardcover)

I EXPECTED IT TO BE FUNNY BUT THE STORIES WERE A REAL SUPRISE. THE TEXAS TORNADO, THE MAN WITH THE BEDS WERE MY FAVORITE. THIS BOOK WOULD BE A GREAT PRESENT FOR ANYONE STARTING THEIR OWN GARDEN.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Garish Gardens are gorgeous!, May 19, 2000

By 

Rebecca Brown "rebeccasreads" (Clallam Bay, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Garish Gardens Outlandish Lawns (Hardcover)

Pink flamingos, elves & gnomes, ceramic geese & plastic ducks, oh my! Americans, from coast to coast, have a penchant for decorating their yards with gizmos & gadgets that please & tease. Modra & Roberts started across the nation & recorded many of Amwerica's more eccentric gardens. This is a charming little book, impish, ironic & crass. What kind of people place metal cut-out characters at various points on their lawns so they appear to be having a conversation? Who lives in a house by a lake where the front & back yards are carpeted with animal statues, old mailboxes & year-round Christmas decorations? Who is the Pink Flamingo King? END