Green Thoughts: A Writer in the Garden (Modern Library Gardening)
(Part of the Modern Library Gardening Series)
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Book Overview
A classic in the literature of the garden, "Green Thoughts" is a beautifully written and highly original collection of seventy-two essays, alphabetically arranged, on topics ranging from "Annuals" and "Artichokes" to "Weeds" and "Wildflowers." An amateur gardener for over thirty years, Eleanor Perenyi draws upon her wide-ranging knowledge of gardening lore to create a delightful, witty blend of how-to advice, informed opinion, historical insight, and philosophical musing. There are entries in praise of earthworms and in protest of rock gardens, a treatise on the sexual politics of tending plants, and a paean to the salubrious effect of gardening (see "Longevity"). Twenty years after its initial publication, "Green Thoughts" remains as much a joy to read as ever. This Modern Library edition is published with a new Introduction by Allen Lacy, former gardening columnist for "The Wall Street Journal" and "The New York Times" and the author of numerous gardening books.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0394503759
ISBN13:9780394503752
Release Date:January 1981
Publisher:Random House (NY)
Length:289 Pages
Weight:1.42 lbs.
Customer Reviews
5 ratings
Adored this book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
What a wonderful experience to spend time with this intelligent, funny, morally secure woman. She's an elegant writer with a wealth of gardening knowledge. Her views on organic gardening, composting, etc. are now widely recognized as correct. Her taste, which she does not hesitate to reveal, is impeccable. One of the best gardening books I've ever read. I hope the years since this book was published have been very kind to Ms. Perenyi and her Stonington, Conn. garden.
"Green Thoughts" by Eleanor Perenyi
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Although I have not gardened in years and have no plans to start now, I have been enchanted by "Green Thoughts." Ms. Perenyi's writing is crisp, intelligent, and witty. Anyone who can take such non-riveting subjects as worms, mulch, and compost (to name a few) and turn them into elegant, fascinating essays deserves some sort of prize. If E.B. White had written a gardening book, it would probably resemble this one. A real treat.
Bring it back!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
I must have blinked when this book went out of print; I've had a stockpile of copies for years to give to deserving friends. Now my children are old enough to have gardens and I NEED Eleanor Perenyi. BRING HER BACK! PLEASE, PLEASE! This is the best book for gardeners ever written.
Fascinating - bring it back. Wait! It's back!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Bless, oh, bless Modern Library for bringing this book back into print. When I wrote the review below, it was still unavailable, so I'm delighted by its return. This time, I will be buying several copies to give as presents. One could hardly do better. Original review: Eleanor Perenyi is one of those people who can make anything interesting. Knowledgeable, opinionated, at times cranky, her writing is at once delightful and profound. With wit and whimsy, the books skips from the trials and tribulations of trying to find good help to the horticultural explorations of the Spanish conquistadors. The book is a real treat for anyone who loves gardens and words. In fact, I think I'll read it again. 05/29/2009 It is with deep sadness that I report the recent death of Eleanor Perenyi. In Green Thoughts, she has left us a gift we should treasure for all time.
Divine reading experience
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
If you love amateur gardening and you love food, you have to love this book. Perenyi is informed, witty and timeless and she writes like a dream. She is way up there with one of my other all-time favorites, MFK Fisher. I've given this book as a gift at least a dozen times and now that I want to again, I find that it's out of print. What a travesty. Bring it back!
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