Gardens Of Obsession: Eccentric And Extravagant Visions (Hardcover)

by Gordon Taylor (Author), Guy Cooper (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
"Gardens of obsession" are "the metamorphoses of dreams, fantasies, ancient myths or allegories made into a physical reality." This stunning book features a breathtaking array of 150 gardens, from the beautiful to the bizarre, from the enchanting to the eccentric, each of them the realization of one person's wildest dreams. And it is the fact that these dreams can be so completely brought to life on the garden's canvas that makes this book so enthralling. Even the most extravagant design has been achieved with great accomplishment; the most extreme idea has become reality. Yet these gardens are also testaments to craft and hard work--only the obsessive bent on creating something truly personal can achieve the sort of visions exemplified in the book.

The locations of these horticultural wonders can be found in the jungles of Mexico, on the lawns of Oxfordshire, in an Ecuador cemetery, and in the surrounds of a Czechoslovakian castle. Some reflect high culture, while others explore surrealist fantasy containing lavish topiary and astonishing sculptural splendor. Within these pages we are taken on a pilgrimage through the minds and souls of people who have striven to realize themselves through the deeply personal space that a garden can be. When so many gardening books remain mired in the utilitarian, this wonderful volume takes a bold leap into fantasy. This is the book for anyone who wants to be inspired to create a garden that goes beyond a tidy lawn with tidy borders. --Nicola Hollins

Product Description
How would you describe the garden of your dreams? Gordon Taylor and Guy Cooper have found more than 150 gardens that could be called visionary, magical, beautiful, mysterious, witty, and bizarre. They are located in countries as diverse as Britain, the United States, France, Germany, Canada, Belgium, Italy, Mexico, and Australia. Some are based on myths and allegories from the ancient world; others grew out of a passion for a single type of plant. Some reflect high culture; others are folksy or kitsch. Ideas have taken on a new life as extravagant topiaries in Ecuador, a formal Renaissance garden in France, giant wooden hands rising from a small hillside garden in California, and a garden of 1500 roses in Somerset planted in order of their introduction into western Europe. Each of these gardens is an extraordinary example of a person's innermost, all-consuming fantasy come to life. 192 pages, 165 color illus., 9 x 11. NEW IN PAPERBACK

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (December 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0297823736
• ISBN-13: 978-0297823735
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #738,358 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, April 8, 2000

By	TwoPoodles "K" (Tulsa, OK USA) - See all my reviews

If you love gardens, you have to get this one. Some of the gardens are just plain eccentric, but incredibly beautiful.

Incredible mazes and topiaries. If you want to see something original, and something out of the ordinary, this is for you. Makes a GREAT gift for anyone who loves gardens, or who just loves beautiful books.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars getting in touch with your inner wacko, July 27, 2002

By	Judy Weightman (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews

When I was a kid, I thought I'd like to be eccentric when I grew up. On my good days, I flatter myself that I've attained this goal. Compared with the people whose gardens are shown here, however, I'm a rank amateur. The gardeners whose work are presented have a clear vision of what they want, and they've gone to whatever lengths were necessary to create it. There's topiary, there's folk art, there's real art. I guarantee you'll find some of it ugly or tacky -- but anyone who wants more from a garden than what good taste and convention can provide will be riveted and inspired.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uplifting & Inspirational Garden Visionaries, May 7, 2003

By	marti mcginnis (DogTrot Hill, KY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I work part time at a greenhouse (mostly as an indentured servant to my own gardening habit) and am TIRED of those whom I refer to as "Garden Nazis" - people (some of them - horrors - my very own co-workers) who think gardening is all about what you see in *those* magazines. You know the ones. This book offers a much needed and totally refreshing viewpoint that takes the onous off of we gardeners to create in just one way and opens avenues into whole new worlds! Have a look and be transported.