The Good Gardener?: Nature, Humanity and the Garden

Let me first be very clear. This is not a book about growing flowers. Nor is this a book solely about the moral conundrums faced when gardening. This is a book that is more about the philosophical/ethical/conceptual acts of gardening than it is about the nitty gritty of growing plants. From this book I learned that Gardening can be a defiant act; a garden can be a quantifier of the effectiveness of a general or a emperor in military conquest; a garden can be a reciprocal healing act for the people on the edge of civilization. I really found this book to really help me understand why we as humans garden, when no other species commits such efforts to the tending of flowers. I can honestly say that this book has greatly influenced my art practice as a sculptor as much as it has influenced my notions of gardening.Although it would be cruel of me to dangle the vaguity of this book without recommending some essays that I found particularly interesting. Here are my top five essays that I encourage you to read when you get this book:Gardeners of the Cosmos: The Way of the Garden in East Asia Tradition / David E. Cooper“Nature-Altering Tools”: Margaret Atwood and the Politics of Dirt / Shelly BoydThe Industrial Gardener: World War II Victory Gardeners and the Factory Paradigm / Anastasia DayGardening the Earth With Joy / Emma MarrisThe Sorceress Garden: Circe and Mount Stewart, Northern Ireland / Stephanie N. BryanThere are nineteen essays total, condensed into three hundred and three pages of text, supporting images and beautiful printing. If you want to grow beyond simply shoving flowers in the dirt, get this book.

I bought both books of this series. The books are published poorly. One of the books has printing that runs of the page and half the Text is totally missing. The binding is so tight on the pages, the pages are difficult to turn with the spine. I contacted the Seller but have heard no response. Do not buy these books. I’m a gardener and just wanted some fine books to read for interest. I’m not pleased with the quality of the books and I would have returned both of them if I had heard back from the vendor.

Excellent collection of articles. I especially loved the one on Victory Gardens by A. Day. Very impressive, high quality book every gardener and book lover will treasure.