People with Dirty Hands: The Passion for Gardening

Well, from my snow-bound apartment this December, I really wanted to like this. But it just didn't work for me. For one thing, it was too superficial. There were themed sections, but each covered so much territory and so many gardeners that it all wound up being superficial. Each section, for example Roses, Estate Gardens, or Chiles, could have been a book themselves. (Not that the author titles the sections.)

For another, there was always some element of spirituality. Sometimes it was paganism, or hippies, sometimes it was reverence for one's ancestors and histories, sometimes it was the Christian God. But only in the too-brief introduction did we meet a gardener with whom I, pragmatic & resourceful, could identify.

I bet plenty of show more people would thoroughly enjoy this. I don't want to discourage you from trying it. It just wasn't my cup of tea... show less

If there's one thing gardeners like more than gardening, it's talking with other gardeners. This is a fun and compelling book of interviews with gardeners from around the country. The author talks with growers and suppliers, all of whom are characters and all of whom are passionate about their plants.

I never understood why people wrote about their gardens until I read this book. After I finished, I did not want to part with it. A classic.

eccentrics in the outdoors, road trip across America