Like The Art Book, this book presents 500 designers in an A-Z format that departs from the usual emphasis on genres and time periods. The gardens are carefully selected to choose the appropriate work for key figures which illustrates their influence on the traditions of gardening in many countries around the world. They range, therefore, from the palaces of kings to the all-consuming passions, bordering on obsessions, of amateur enthusiasts. Written in an easily accessible way, the text will explain the chosen figures role in the development of the garden, as well as the important changes to the garden over time. Each designer is represented by a full-page illustration, mostly in colour, of their most significant garden. Long-vanished wonders, such as the mythical gardens of Babylon, are illustrated by artists impressions or engravings. Each page includes cross-references to other designers working in a similar style, movement, or time period, as well as biographical information about the designer. The book also includes an easy-to-use glossary of terms and movements and a directory of gardens.
