Around The World In 80 Gardens

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View books by Monty Don, Montagu Don.

Self Indulgence - Rated
I was going to purchase this, but got it from my local library and I'm glad I can put it back on the shelf. The selected gardens are for the most part obvious, although most are very interesting but I find the photos of Monty in each garden extremely egotistical and very offputting.

Excellent - but ! - Rated
I love Monty Don's writing, as the previous review states in his comments - 'it feel's personal' and you get a really good feel of what he is seeing on his tour of the gardens. The details of his note taking etc. make it a more enjoyable read than a book that is just factual. I felt that you were getting an honest review of how he felt at the time of writing and being human enough to comment on how he might feel differently at other times of visiting some of them. My disapointment came from the appearance of the book and wish that they had kept more to the look of 'The Jewel Garden' which captured me straight away from the beautiful photography on the front cover and the pics inside. If there had been more photographs to show what Monty is describing in "Around the world in 80 Gardens' it may have benefited from it, but I think this has been the publishers at fault rather than Monty Don. I must admit I hated the cover design if I had been the Co. who had produced it I don't think I would have put my website on the inside flap. Well done to Montague though, and long may he continue writing in this engaging manner.

Personal, hefty and covetable; shame about the pictures - Rated
This is a substantial book, I only wish it had been even more so. There's enough text about each garden to make it interesting even if you are fairly knowledgable already; the balance of information and opinion is nicely judged. At ten pounds, it's an absolute bargain. I would have given three times that though for a bigger budget devoted to the photographs. Don't get me wrong, they're all right - they give you a good idea of each garden. All I'm saying is: buy the book for the words, not the images. It isn't coffee table material (I can't believe I'm saying this as though it were a problem!) Of course the answer is to record the television programmes for the visual element. This is the only one of MD's books from which the pictures don't sink into the mind as much as the words (ignoring the ones that have none). But gardens are to be looked at; books do outlast other media; it was an opportunity lost. It only matters because the prose is worth it: informed, honest, reflective, as though he had written it as notes for you. If nothing else it will make you realise that any garden vist you make yourself, your own interest and pleasure the only agenda and in no tearing television-imposed hurry, would be more enjoyable because of this book.