The Rose: An Illustrated History [Hardcover]

Peter Harkness (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 6, 2003

A spectacularly illustrated reference.

Roses are valued for many reasons including beauty, symbolism, fragrance, and history. The Rose tells the fascinating story of this treasured flower accompanied by lively text and sumptuous full color illustrations. The book is divided into three sections: Roses of Nature, Roses of History and Roses by Design. Each section traces the links that tie the wild roses of nature to the earliest roses of civilization. It also explodes a few myths along the way and tells how the tireless efforts of horticulturists from many nations have brought into being the full-petalled beauties of today.

The captivating archival illustrations are from the Royal Horticultural Society's collection, home to one of the world's finest archives of horticultural art. This spectacular collection of roses of every description is certain to capture the hearts of gardeners and art lovers alike.

(200406)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A rosarian of international renown, Harkness brings an ardent proclivity for the queen of flowers to a fascinating effort bolstered by the lyrical beauty of rare artworks. References to roses appear in Persian poetry, Shakespearean dramas, and Greek history, not to mention a storehouse of artistic endeavors, and Harkness' comprehensive and enlightening overview illuminates diverse species and wild roses throughout history and the ensuing cultivation of the rose in modern times. Rose fanciers, growers, and flower lovers will be well informed by the text, but they will revel in the profusion of heavenly images. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Exquisite art volume... a wonderful blend of history, art and science with fascinating facts and full-color reproductions of botanical illustrations. (Joanne S. Carpender National Gardeners Magazine 200312)

A stunning volume... contains intriguing new and little-known information on roses, and is illustrated by the most exquisite full-color reproductions. (Ken Smith London Free Press 20031220)

Harkness has combined his knowledge of history with his passion for the genus... comprehensive historical reference. (Linda Stilkowski Winnipeg Free Press 20031207)

Bulk of the pages are devoted to oversized illustrations of roses in their breath-taking beauty by renowned artists... Highly recommended. (Marilyn K. Alaimo Current Books on Gardening and Botany [Chicago Bot 200404)

For the rose lover and the artist. (Kathy Huber Houston Chronicle 20031220)

Peter Harkness brings to life his own love of roses and his knowledge of their history in this unusual book. (January Adams American Reference Books Annual, Volume 36 2005)

A love poem of a book rich in rose lore... larger-than-life paintings are so stunningly reproduced. (Valerie Easton Seattle Times 20031214)

Substantial in both weight and factual information... destined for a lengthy stay on the coffee table. (Dan Vierria Sacramento Bee 20031213)

The real stars of this gorgeous collection are the flowers themselves. (Globe and Mail 20031122)

The timeless allure of the flower of flowers is captured. (Elle Decor 200312)

Learn how this traditional beauty attains its dramatic power while you're captivated by the beautiful floral prints. (Complete Woman 200402)

A first-class introduction to great roses, old and modern, with dozens of exquisite flower portraits. (Steve Whysall Vancouver Sun 20031121)

Illustrations range from botanical-quality prints to more impressionistic portraits of roses... a book for rose lovers. (Robert Howard Hamilton Spectator 20031201)

A visual history of our ever-evolving taste in roses. (Emily Green Los Angeles Times 20031113)

Harkness's narrative makes highly interesting reading, but the jewels of this book are the beautiful illustrations. (Philip Oliver Library Journal 20030818)

Illustrations beautifully reproduced in large scale... Harkness is an engaging writer who delivers serious science between slices of historical trivia. (Publishers Weekly 20031215)

For rose lovers... this exquisite book... gorgeous oversized tome is lushly illustrated. (Metropolitan Home 200311)

Gorgeous from start to finish... hundreds of exquisite etchings, water color, and oil paint illustrations. (Olga Stein Books in Canada 200407)

The richness of the illustrations and the well-developed, serious, but not sober historical reporting makes the work worthwhile. (John P. Abbott E-Streams 20031102)

Stunning... inviting conversational style. Color illustrations from the archives of the Royal Horticultural Society are featured on every two-page spread. (Science News 20040315)

Rose fanciers... will be well informed by the text, but they will revel in the profusion of heavenly images. (Alice Joyce Booklist / RBB 20031206)

What a perfect gift for someone who loves roses, or for yourself to enjoy. (Mary Cameron Frey Chicago Sun-Times 20031130)

This big, beautiful book is filled with gorgeous illustrations... there's nothing like reading evocative plant descriptions for whetting the appetite. (Christina Selby Canadian Gardening 200405)

Fascinating blend of history, art and science. This stunning volume is laced with intriguing facts... dozens of exquisite full-color reproductions. (John Bagnasco Garden Compass 20031213)

Elegantly illustrated -- pages of mouthwatering color -- and has a careful and scholarly text. (Peneolpe Lively New York Times 20031220)

Lush, lavish and almost lascivious in their treatment of botany. (Catherine Ford Calgary Herald 200312)

Voluptuous volume. (Gardening Life 200404)

One of the most beautiful books of the past fifty years... large elegantly printed... rich text full of history, anecdotes. (Bill Grant Pacific Horticulture )

An intriguing blend of historical fact with mythological tales, literary references and scientific data surrounding this most cherished of blooms. (Sherry Boas Orlando Sentinel )

A delightful 5,000-year journey through rose history... beautifully reproduced illustrations. (Becky Homan St Louis Post-Dispatch )

A stunning book... a true art book... for a rose lover, it is a book to read and study and enjoy. (Ella Tyler American Rose )

Though the book might be appreciated just for its beauty, it is also a rich resource for the serious reader. (D.H. Pfister Choice )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 344 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (September 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552977870
• ISBN-13: 978-1552977873
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 10.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,614,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous book for the botanical art lover, April 19, 2005

By 

W. Oliver (Alabama) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rose: An Illustrated History (Hardcover)

This large coffee-table book features beautiful rose illustations, many never seen before, from the archives of the Royal Horticultural Society. The artists include John Lindley, Alfred Parsons, Mary Lawrence and of course probably the most famous rose artist of all time, Pierre Joseph Redoute. The author also includes an introduction to the history of rose cultivation, from 5000 years ago in China when species roses were grown and he discusses how these roses were used by present day hybridizers to create our modern-day roses. Many of these roses' history have been unknown but recent DNA analysis has helped solve the mysteries of their heritage. Highly informative or just beautiful to look at, this is a beautiful book.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book but disappointing, November 23, 2010

By 

SageBuyer - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Rose: An Illustrated History (Hardcover)

I had been looking for years for a large beautifully illustrated book that would cover the history of the rose in art and culture throughout the world. I thought this book was it, and I was so excited, especially after glimpsing the first chapter on line. When I received the book, I was horribly disappointed - only the first chapter covers the rose in art and culture - the rest of this huge heavy tome is illustrated with hundreds of botanical rose illustrations taken from the Horticultural Society's collection. This book is good for the serious rose grower who wants to know detailed information on each type of rose, their latin names, and what parent roses were used to create hybrids. With that said, it is a beautiful book, but not what I was looking for - I gave it away to someone. So this still leaves a niche wide open for a beautiful history of roses that would appeal to a wide audience - it's hard to believe that this has not been done yet.