Synopses & Reviews
Italy's gardens speak to us all. In the history of gardening they are the bridge between our world and the ancient world. Their harmony, symmetry and serenity are at once inimitable and universally copied.
During the past few years Italy has awoken to a realization of its gardens. In a gardening renaissance, interesting new gardens are being created all over Italy, and there has been exemplary restoration of some historic gardens.
In this pioneering new book, Kirsty McLeod and Primrose Bell celebrate over a hundred of the finest Italian gardens open to the public. They take the reader with them on a journey to these gardens: they explore their history and context, and we meet the owners, hear the stories behind the gardens, and learn how they were made and how they are maintained.
Review
“It's perfect...for planning a trip, since it's arrange round the places where you might stay” -
The Independent “Exquisitely photographed and presented, this is a true labour of love.” -
Good Book Guide “Evocative photographs” -
The Irish Garden “[McLeod] writes with sensitivity and it's easy to picture yourself walking through the gardens at her side ... illustrated with beautifully tempting photographs by Primrose Bell ... a small softback, easy to take with you when you leave for Italy, which you want to do as soon as you have read it.” -
The Professional Gardener “McLeod's seductive book” -
Independent on Sunday"...the color photographs by Primrose Bell are so vivid that you may start to feel that you're actually in Italy. Written by historian and biographer Kirsty McLeod, this 256 page beauty showcases more than 100 of Italy's gardens from Genoa and Sicily, from the Renaissance to the present. Best of all, every garden featured is open to the public...a wonderful resource for planning your garden getaway. And, it makes a great gift for the Italophiles in your life!" - The Black Dress Traveler "This gorgeous book begins with the stupendous garden villas of the northern Italian lakes, such as Castel Trautmansdorff, often called Italy’s most beautiful garden. It then moves through the three most important Italian provinces: the wealth of the Veneto (Venice), the beauty of Tuscany (Florence) and the majesty and power of Lazio (Rome). And so on down the peninsula. McLeod’s informative and lively prose never disappoints and the book is beautifully graced by more than 450 photographs by Primrose Bell. All in all, more than 150 gardens are featured in over 260 lovely pages." - The Garden Interior
Synopsis
In this pioneering new book, Kirsty McLeod and Primrose Bell celebrate over a hundred of the finest Italian gardens open to the public.
About the Author
Historian and biographer Kirsty McLeod is the author of many books including A Passion for Friendship: Sibyl Colefax and her Circle; Battle Royal: Edward VIII and George VI; and The Last Summer: May to September 1914. She is also past Chairman of the English Heritage Historic Parks and Gardens Panel, set up to advise English Heritage on England's historic gardens.