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Twigs Way

Garden Gnomes: A History (Shire Library) Paperback – September 22, 2009

by Twigs Way (Author)

22 ratings

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This is the intriguing story of garden gnomes and how they have come to reside in the flowerbeds of gardens across Britain. Originating in Europe, gnomes made the leap across the channel in the nineteenth century, where they were welcomed warmly by wealthy Brits who saw them as the must-have garden accessory. But the fortunes of the humble gnome were not to last, and they soon found themselves sneered at by serious gardeners. Turned away from fashionable gardens, the little gnomes found a friend in many a working class gardener, who adopted them in increasing numbers, and in a variety of humorous poses. Today, gnomes are as popular with the masses as ever, and this entertaining illustrated history will appeal to those who love, and hate, these small bearded characters.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“What makes this book stand apart from any other book on such topics is that it's actually a serious history of one of our most beloved gardening icons. Sure, it's funny, but it's also filled with historical facts. I loved it. I think it's the perfect gift for garden-lovers and history buffs alike.” ―Tales from Clark Street, talesfromclarkstreet.blogspot.com (September 2009)

About the Author

Twigs Way is a garden historian and writer, and the author of a number of books on garden subjects, including Crocodiles in the Fernery and Allotments. The author lives in Cambridge, England.

Product details

Item Weight : 4 ounces
ISBN-10 : 0747807108
ISBN-13 : 978-0747807100
Paperback : 56 pages
Product Dimensions : 5.9 x 0.17 x 8.26 inches
Publisher : Shire Publications; First Edition (September 22, 2009)
Language: : English

Best-sellers rank #1,222,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#167 in Garden Furnishings (Books)

Customer Reviews:
22 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		53%
4 star		33%
3 star		6%
2 star		8%
1 star 0% (0%)		0%

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Andrew J. Brozyna

A Lovely Gnome Tome

Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2009

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Garden Gnomes: A History by Twigs Way is another of Shire's nicely designed reference books. A historian of gardening, the author tells the story of these European garden accents. She explores their origins (beliefs of dwarfs, nisser, and tomtar), studies the craft of their production, and charts their rise and fall in popularity. The text is illustrated with pages from period catalogs and photographs of gnomes in gardens throughout history. The book ends with a view of garden gnomes' affect on modern pop culture, with a mention of the trend in gnome liberation (stealing and relocating the ornaments as a prank).

10 people found this helpful

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Kevin C. Trott

The store of gnomes

Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2018

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Great history of garden gnomes. We especially liked the reference to the gnomes on the cover of George Harrison's All Things Must Pass album.

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Kathleen Lovell

Gnome knowledge!!

Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2013

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This little book has a great history of the ebb and flow of gnomedom. It is an in depth journey that is enjoyable and rather exciting. Be prepared the printing is tiny and you will likely want to go buy more gnomes for your collection!! Enjoy the read, it's pithy!!

One person found this helpful

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Melissa Alicea

Gnomes and yeses

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2016

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Spine is bent a little, but it looks fine.

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Lynn A Sparks

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2014

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insightful

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The Wait is Over

Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2013

For those in need of a comprehensive history of garden gnomes, the wait is over. Twigs Way's history is authoritative and generously illustrated. From the gnomes' emergence in Germany to their migration to Britain, every step along the way is covered: their being banned from the Chelsea flower show, the rise of the `naughty gnomes', the Chinese cheapo knockoffs, the rediscovery of the art in contemporary America, and so on. It's all here and the text is replete with illustrations, most in color, some in sepia photographs. We see the impact of the gnomes on popular culture (their use in advertising, e.g.) and we see classic examples of the craft and their proper display.

While the book is printed on lovely paper stock, the text is so small as to be barely legible. Whether this has something to do with homage to the subject, printing house style or some other reason, this is a significant problem. For my eyes at least, the book can only be read under a bright, focused light. Some of the images are also so small that one can barely discern their details.

The text is very nicely written, with just the right mix of scholarship, humor, and arch tone. It is a delight to read (once you create the conditions under which you can actually see it). If garden gnomes are your thing, begin here for a thorough exploration of the subject.

7 people found this helpful

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Top international reviews

Sebastian Palmer

We're not G-nus... we're G-nomes

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 27, 2017

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My wife and I are revamping a very long garden that the former owner had allowed to become a wilderness, or rather a jungle of brambles and nettles.

In planning the new garden, a sudden and unaccountable desire to think about gnomes attacked me (this strange occurrence has not, however, affected the mrs!). A quick google led me to this title. I decided that, before inviting any gnomes into our garden, I'd buy this and find out a bit more.

Initially it was the pics I focussed on, and there's a good selection, my favourites being of the older variety, circa 1850s-1950s. The old German catalogue pics are bizarrely charming.

But, the truth is, even after perusing these many and varied pics, and even having subsequently read the lighthearted but informative text - a history of gnomes, as the title says - I'm as confused as ever as to what I personally make of gnomes.

Still, this small slim Shire title, by the almost gnomishly named Twigs Way, is a fun introduction-cum-diversion...

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Lynda from stourbridge

lets all by a gnome !

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2013

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Good delivery time- book bought in a light hearted way for friends wedding present along with a garden gnome for new garden ! but they found this little book really enjoyable and informative and have since bought second gnome as company for first !

3 people found this helpful

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soozie

Gnomes

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 2013

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Bought as a present for a friend but discovered they already had it. Still, they kept the book anyway and appreciated the thought. Well illistrated and informative..

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N. Paull

Bought as a present

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2013

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The book was a bit smaller than I'd anticipated, but the friend who received it as a gift found it very interesting and added it to their library. Politeness perhaps?

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cat woman

gnome book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 2, 2013

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I bought this as a present for a gnome enthusiast so although it is not very interesting to me the recipient will enjoy reading it

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Rosie D

Tiny book about tiny people

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 7, 2015

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Lovely little book book - but be warned - little is the operative word!

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Lenka Bouckova

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 18, 2017

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Quick delivery. Another gnome book for my collection.

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sandra mcdowel

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2016

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Lovely

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Rob

the little men

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 28, 2015

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nice bit of fun

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Amazon Customer

Good arrived! All

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2016

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Thank you! Good arrived! All wonderfull

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Customer

Two Stars

Reviewed in Canada on January 12, 2018

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Wasn’t what I expected although interesting

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Dan Dare

Little Gnomes

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 26, 2010

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My daughter collects gnomes for her garden she loves them so for Christmas I bought her

My daighter loves gnomes and collefcts them for her garden so I bought this book for her it gives a history of these little folk and she loved it.

My daughter

3 people found this helpful

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Garden Gnomes: A History (Shire Library) Paperback – September 22, 2009

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