Cultivating Delight: A Natural History of My Garden
by Diane Ackerman
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 110)
Read in January, 2005
Its a shame that I couldn't fully appreciate Ackerman's garden here because more than half the garden plant species she describes so beautifully aren't available in this country. I love everything in the book except when she goes in minute detail of a strange flower--and that's where I get lost. But its still beautifully written and like all the Ackerman books I've read, one finishes the book full, satisfied and smiling at the world, realizing that there is so much to learn!
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This one I enjoyed certain segments of very much then in others I simply skimmed. her writing is florid and often excessively full of adjectives without enough progress in the subject she is relating. Other times her anecdotes are witty and succinct so the book is well worth the time for the segments that appeal.
When she talks about her roses I admit to being a willing participant to every adjective she uses and, like Ms Ackerman, berate the lack of more.
When she talks about her roses I admit to being a willing participant to every adjective she uses and, like Ms Ackerman, berate the lack of more.
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Read in November, 2006
recommends it for:
Fellow Gardeners
This book is the perfect book to read when a) it is the winter and you can't garden, or b) when you live in an apartment and can't garden, either. This book amazed me in its descriptions of plants and animals and the changes that occur through the year in a garden. After reading this book, I went on to read The Natural History of the Senses because I love Ackerman's writing style and sense of description so much. Enjoy!
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Im not a gardener but this made me want to be. Never have I so been mesmerized by reading about gardening (nor have I ever actually chose to read about gardening for that matter). Everything this woman writes is rich in detail and emotion. Ms Ackerman takes you through the seasons of her garden. The only thing keeping this from being 5 stars is that well 1 season really wasnt that interesting.
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Read in August, 2003
recommended to Ashley by:
Merecommends it for: Those who connect to life through nature.
I liked this book because of my great grandmother, who was an avid gardener. I aspire to her skill and dedication. Her persistence was an example to me. Heck, she died only five days short of 107. Might I add another woman of strong influence in my life...Virginia Butler. She, too, shows this same passion and love for nature through gardening. She taught me many things.
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Read in March, 2007
The author is a poet, naturalist, and avid gardener in upstate New York. She says, "Some gardeners seem unable to fully enjoy their gardens, so caught up are they in the latest skirmish with mildew or beetle...My philosophy is: Forget winning, cultivate delight."
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As poetic as any Diane Ackerman book, with interesting factoids, general historical knowledge and personal stories regarding the natural world intertwined.
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recommends it for:
gardeners
Ackerman reflects on her elaborate garden and its preparation and personal significance through the four seasons.
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Read in September, 2004
The writing, crystaline and beautiful, made this non-gardner appreciate gardens in new ways.
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recommends it for:
lazy gardeners
Rich prose. A good read on a cold damp April afternoon. Which this is not.
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book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 4.02 (50 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 3.64 (11 ratings) number of reviews: 10
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quote
"Devising a vocabulary for gardening is like devising a vocabulary for sex. There are the correct Latin names, but most people invent euphemisms. Those who refer to plants by Latin name are considered more expert, if a little pedantic."
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