The Rose: An Illustrated History (Hardcover)

by Peter Harkness (Author) "All the roses of the world in their glorious variety descend from wild roses..." (more)
Key Phrases: centifolia muscosa, old garden roses, climbing form, United States, Hybrid Tea, Autumn Damask (more...)

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
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 12/20/2003

A visual history of our ever-evolving taste in roses. -- Emily Green, Los Angeles Times 11/13/2003

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 Botanic Garden] 04/2004

For rose lovers... this exquisite book... gorgeous oversized tome is lushly illustrated. -- Metropolitan Home 12/15/2003

Gorgeous from start to finish... hundreds of exquisite etchings, water color, and oil paint illustrations. -- Olga Stein, Books in Canada 11/2003

Rose fanciers... will be well informed by the text, but they will revel in the profusion of heavenly images. -- Alice Joyce, Booklist / RBB 10/15/2003

Stunning... inviting conversational style. Color illustrations from the archives of the Royal Horticultural Society are featured on every two-page spread. -- Science News 10/25/2003

The real stars of this gorgeous collection are the flowers themselves. -- Globe and Mail 11/22/2003

The richness of the illustrations and the well-developed, serious, but not sober historical reporting makes the work worthwhile. -- John P. Abbott, E-Streams 07/2004

What a perfect gift for someone who loves roses, or for yourself to enjoy. -- Mary Cameron Frey, Chicago Sun-Times 11/02/2003

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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: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #831,401 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 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 "scudder" (Alabama) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 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.