Not many people know how gardens evolved. Did you know that one of the wonders of the ancient world was a garden? Do you know where the first gardens originated? Do you know what traditions have come down to us as essential features of a garden? Do you know the difference between classic and easy formality? This book will lead you through all that in a relatively brief read. If time is money, it is worth a lot. To illustrate the written word, the 40 page text and covers are loaded with 38 colour photographs taken of gardens all over the world, mostly by the author. They include Canadian gardens.

The foreword to the book was written by Professor Michael S. Pascoe, Faculty of Landscape Design and Horticulture at Fanshawe College, London, Canada. In it, he said "tomes of garden history are distilled into this simple text, which makes it a light, enjoyable, educational read without sacrificing substance". He has just received a prestigious award in Washington, D.C. for winning a garden design competition.

There is a two page appendix which lists the author's pick of the best major books published in the last dozen years on garden design and furnishings. These books are longer, more detailed, pricey works which may be consulted for deeper investigation.

The book is identified as ISBN 0-9686988-2-4 and two copies are in The National Library in Ottawa. It is 8 1/2'' x 11'', 21.5 x 27.8 cm, with a spine, card stock flex cover, and every page is 100 lb. coated stock. It makes a handsome expensive looking gift. It is priced at $22.90. It may be mail ordered from Rosecom, 41 Outer Drive, London, Canada N6P 1E1 -- no tax but please add $2.25 to cover the cost of mailing. Alternatively, it may be purchased from the various bookstores and organizations which are listed below (to be updated from time to time).

Cachet Bookstore, 639 Nelson Street, #4, London, ON, N5Z 1J6. Tel. 519-667-1894, FAX 519-667-1894, e-mail: cachetbook@home.com Internet: www.kent.net/cachetbooks