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Gardens of Obsession
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Gardens Of Obsession – Eccentric And Extravagant Visions

R195.00

Rather than a conventional gardening manual, Gardens of Obsession is a global tour of the extraordinary. From lush and formal Renaissance‑inspired gardens in France to quirky folk creations in Britain, monumental rose displays in Somerset, towering topiaries in Ecuador, and surreal lawns fashioned by imaginative creators in California, this book explores how deeply held personal visions can transform outdoor spaces into living works of art.

Author
Gordon Taylor & Guy Cooper
Publish Date
1999
Cover Type
Hardcover
Condition
Near Fine
No notable defects

1 in stock

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Book Description

Gardens of Obsession: Eccentric and Extravagant Visions by Gordon Taylor & Guy Cooper (Cassell/Cassell Illustrated / Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1999, ISBN 9780297823735) is a visually stunning celebration of some of the most unusual, imaginative and visionary gardens in the world. This hardcover edition spans 192 pages and brings together the authors’ explorations of more than 150 extraordinary garden spaces, each conceived and created by individuals driven by passion, fantasy and an almost artistic obsession with landscape design.

Rather than a conventional gardening manual, Gardens of Obsession is a global tour of the extraordinary. From lush and formal Renaissance‑inspired gardens in France to quirky folk creations in Britain, monumental rose displays in Somerset, towering topiaries in Ecuador, and surreal lawns fashioned by imaginative creators in California, this book explores how deeply held personal visions can transform outdoor spaces into living works of art. The gardens featured reflect a wide spectrum of design impulses — myth and allegory, tribute to a favourite plant, personal fantasy made real, or simply the irresistible urge to create something remarkable.

Richly illustrated with 165+ full‑colour photographs, Gardens of Obsession immerses the reader in both the beauty and the eccentricity of these landscapes. Each image is paired with descriptive commentary that situates the garden’s history, concept and unique elements, making it engaging for garden lovers, designers, photographers, travelers and anyone captivated by creative expression in the natural world.

Published at the close of the twentieth century, this edition remains sought after by collectors and enthusiasts interested in large‑scale garden photography, landscape creativity, and the stories behind visionary outdoor art. Its blend of visual splendor and narrative insight makes it both a coffee‑table highlight and a source of inspiration for readers drawn to the extraordinary side of horticulture

Condition: Near fine – No notable defects.

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Teresa Kearney
10 months ago
What an amazing shop. And for an indecisive shopper, Robert Cronje’s service selling a book set online that I’d seen in the shop when on holiday and not bought was simply impressive. The book set was wrapped so well it arrived via courier without damage.
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S Muel
10 months ago
Another collector (Fynn Lee) had warned us in advance to prepare a lot of time to browse this massive collection, and he was right! The size of the collection is simply immense. But it's still well organized! We had a blast hunting for cool books here. We actually spent over three hours here, thoroughly enjoying ourselves as we went through these cool books. We found so many great books at Midlands. We bought far too many to travel home with, but they were kind enough to ship our books back home for us (overseas).
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Andre Britz
10 months ago
I highly recommend Midlands Books & Collectibles. Their service was fast and professional with brilliant open and honest communication. Robert Cronjé was an absolute pleasure to deal with and I received my order faster than expected at an excellent rate. Parcel was packed securely and arrived in perfect condition. Very happy new customer and looking forward to buying from Midlands Books soon again.
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Ronald Howes
12 months ago
A real hidden gem for collectors of hard to get books. I was able to get a rare book I was looking for, and for a great price. The people who run this are very nice and was able to get my book shipped very quickly, despite having to have it shipped internationally to here in the states.
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Tessa Vermeulen
1 year ago
Stepping inside this bookstore was a delight! It immediately ranks among the best I've ever experienced. The care and dedication of the owner is palpable. It's the kind of place you could happily get lost in for hours. If you're nearby, this is an absolute must-visit. I can't recommend it enough.
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Patrick Gildenhuys
1 year ago
An absolute pleasure to deal with Robert, at Midlands Books and Collectables. My books were extremely well packaged and protected, and shipping was super quick. I received my books 2 days after payment cleared. I will definitely be buying from them again, and highly recommend them. Patrick
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Joanna Bocer
1 year ago
I recently bought a book online from Midlands Books and the experience was great! Robert was very helpful and shipped the book to Spain. The book was a rare find and in pristine conditions! Would recommend 100%!
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Jason McCormick
2 years ago
Absolutely INCREDIBLE treasure trove of the most collectible books, coins and artifacts I’ve seen and absolutely worth the trip out to the Old Mushroom Farm to visit this gem - you could get let in the store for a week and still not get to see everything! Incredible service to match the selection! A must see and worthy of the five stars and more!
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Dawie Rotteveel
2 years ago
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Andrew Mcdonnell
2 years ago
Great bookstore, we discovered this while in the Midlands. Great selection at great prices. Robert was so helpful as my genre was very specific.
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Anele Molefe
2 years ago
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Cameron Mpumi
2 years ago
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Terry Taylor
2 years ago
We discovered Midlands books and collectibles at the old mushroom farm and at horse shoe bend. You can spend hours browsing the incredible selection of books. The vast array of bird books is definitely worth the visit.
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Tazmin Read
2 years ago
I discovered the most enchanting magical bookshop – a true hidden gem! The moment you step inside, you’re surrounded by shelves that seem to stretch into other worlds, filled with every kind of story imaginable. From secret passageways to cozy reading nooks, this shop has it all, creating an atmosphere that feels like stepping into a fairytale. The staff are as knowledgeable as they are welcoming, always ready to recommend your next great adventure. It’s not just a place to buy books; it’s a doorway to other world with the incredible domed roof of the mushroom farm. A must-visit for any book lover!
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Canelle Friis
2 years ago
Utterly enchanting, in a unique and magical setting (an old mushroom farm tunnel in the beautiful, wooded Midlands Meander). This is hands-down one of the best bookstores I've ever perused (I'm serious about books and work for a major publishing house). The selection is incredible; I visited from Oxford (England) and was amazed at the very old, rare and precious gems on offer - books that would be snaffled up by auctioneers and collectors too quickly to even set eyes upon in the UK are waiting here at unbelievably good prices. There is something for every interest and price point; this is both a solid second-hand bookshop as well as collectible store. The owner was so friendly and took time to show my family and I some of the oldest, largest, and most unusual items in the collection. We were dazzled by a poetry book from the Renaissance period; signed first editions of books from authors as diverse as Douglas Adams and Muhammed Ali; antique children's illustrated books and even a hand-coloured illustrated South African bird book. The owner also had an impressive coin / currency collection which was fascinating to view. If the literature or objets d'art were not enough, there was also a delightfully cosy dog (pictured) - irresistible! I walked away a very happy customer and will go out my way to visit again when I'm next in South Africa.
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Errol Douwes
3 years ago
Wow! Amazing diversity of previously owned and collectible books. I enjoyed the section on books about birds and birding - several shelves worth - just on this topic - including many rare and classic texts.
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