Customer Reviews

The Most Beautiful Gardens in the World

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Le Toquin photographs gardens from around the world, including Iranian oases, Italien grottos, English topiaries, and Versailles in winter. The photographs are gorgeous and there are numerous fold-out pages with panorama shots that give a feel for the garden as a whole. The choice of locations highlights the wide range of spaces that are encompassed within the definition of a garden (including one with no plants whatsoever). The accompanying text provides summaries of the histories and predominant features of each garden, but the amazing photographs are what really makes this book shine.

I'm not sure why the previous reviewer did not like this book. I thought the photographs were absolutely beautiful, vibrant, and clear. Each garden was photographed from several different angles. The photos take up entire pages and several are on fold-out pages for a panoramic view. The book is printed on quality paper and is quite heavy. I bought this book as a gift for my Mother but I enjoyed looking through it several times before I finally giftwrapped it.

I did enjoy the book and many of the photographs were a pleasure -- however, I was SO glad I bought it used from an Amazon reseller. I would have been really annoyed if I paid anything close to list price. I felt this book did a surface job both with pictures and narratives. It left me wanting more, but not in a good way. Also, it probably should be called "The Most Beautiful Garden STRUCTURES in the World" -- because garden structures dominate the photographs. Criteria for choosing "the most beautiful" also unclear.

Absolutely gorgeous photography. This is a big, heavy coffee table book that gets oooh'd over far more than it gets actually read. There is text within it, talking about the various gardens/landscapes that have been chosen, but truth be told, that's secondary to all the beautiful pictures.

Well-composed photos of mostly outstanding gardens in good light. Too many books have lesser quality photos because of the conditions when the photographer was visiting. Obviously a lot more time was spent waiting for decent light and the result is many really great photos. There is also a good balance of text; this is not the book for in depth info, but there is enough to give some background.

I bought this stunning book for a friend who is an avid gardener. We were so WOWED by the foldout photo of the European kitchen garden that we are planning a Spring trip to visit it. Garden porn at iits best. Great price,uber fast delivery, as usual. Thank you, Amazon!

This book is not a how-to-do-it book on gardening at all. It is strictly a picture book, of, as the title says, the gardens that the author thinks are the most beautiful. But although there is no gardening information, it's beautiful to look at- it's solid huge photographs.

Taking in gardens from Europe, the UK, the USA, the Middle East, Russia, the Far East and New Zealand, each garden is photographed at the time of the year it's at its best. The Keukenhof in the Netherlands is taken when the tulips are blooming, Monet's garden at Giverny has iris in bloom, and in a twist that I would have never thought of, many of the photos of Versailles were taken in winter where the lack of foliage and the snow brings out the emphasis on form that is the backbone of that garden.

While it's not a DIY book, you can still learn things from it to apply to your own garden-on a much smaller scale, of course. One thing that surprised me was how little color was used in many of these gardens- they are more green than anything else. The gardens use trees, shrubs, statuary, fountains and paths to establish structure that looks good year round, rather than using flowering plants that offer more transitory interest. This is something that's important in all gardens, not just huge ones. A garden that looks beautiful for one month out of the year isn't really very interesting, unless that's the only month you're there. On the other hand, some gardeners are afraid to use strong colors outside; a look at Morocco's Majorelle garden will show you how intense colors in garden furnishings can make a mainly green garden sing. It's a great book for inspiration, although you run the risk of ending up dissatisfied with the space (and money) you have for your own garden! I, for one, want a grotto with ancient Greek statuary, a Japanese tea house, and a wisteria covered bridge over a water lily pond.

I have just finished writing the ZEN OF WATERING YOUR GARDEN. Which some may consider a "coffee table book" but it is really a challenge to the reader to get out and garden. This book of private gardens is filled with beautiful grdens which i think are nice to look at but untenable for any gardener to achieve.

I love gardens. So, I was excited about receiving this book. The photos weren't as beautiful as I thought they would be. I wanted to return the book. I wish I had. I'm glad Amazon did not charge the list price of $60.00. I would have returned it for sure.

I got this as a gift, but I did scan through it and its full of beautiful garden pictures.