The Lawn

by Peter Macinnis

"The A Social History" explores the strange coming-together of means, opportunity and motive in the middle of the nineteenth century, and the lasting social changes that followed when the lawn emerged as the dominant feature of the modern built environment. After the lawn, leisure time would never be the same again. This book explains, in fascinating detail, how the lawn mower was the key enabling technology that let grass dominate the environment. And how, the enabling technology that in turn allowed suburbs to exist was commuter transport - as only suburbs gave enough space between and around the houses for lawns to fit. The author goes on to explain how mowers and suburbs would not have been enough to drive the lawn craze if people had not firmly believed that ownership of a lawn was proof that the owner was a person of status and wealth. "The A Social History" takes the reader on a compelling journey that explains the origins of the lawn and how it changed the very way we live. Illustrated with contemporary images, this absorbing exposition on how the lawn, which we all take for granted, has become an integral part of our very existence.

257 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2009

About the author

During 2021, Macinnis has republished revised versions of all of his out-of-print books. The website listed above tells you how to get them.

Happy grandfather, travels, writes for adults and youngsters, mainly history or science. Published by the National Library of Australia (Australian Backyard Naturalist May 2012, another book Curious Minds October, 2012, Big Book of Australian History, 2013, 2015, 2017). Talks on ABC (RN), translated into 7 other languages. Winner of the W.A. Premier's Prize for Children's Literature 2013 and other awards.

Writing blog Old Writer on the Block. Google it and say g'day!

McManly on most social media. His Kokoda Track: 101 Days was a 2008 Eve Pownall Honour Book in the CBCA 'Book of the Year' awards. His Australian Backyard Explorer was the 2010 Eve Pownall Book of the Year (listed in 2011, in the prestigious international White Ravens list of children's literature). In 2012, his Australian Backyard Naturalist won a Whitley award, and the WA Premier's Children's Literature Award in 2013. After a few busy years doing other stuff, his Australian Backyard Earth Scientist won the long-winded Educational Publishing Awards Australia prize for best "Student Resource – Arts/Science/Humanities/Social Sciences/Technologies/Health and Physical Education/Languages ".

He has had half a dozen titles rated as "Notable Books" by the Children's Book Council of Australia: that's equivalent to short listing.

Reviews

[Sarahanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took some hunting to find a copy of this book. Not sure why it's not released in the US. I suspect some sort of plot.

In addition to the cover, which I love, this book also has great facts, stories, side tracks, and blind alleys.

In short, a classic Peter Macinnis book.

[Peter Macinnis]

I wrote it, so I would be biased. No comment.