My Garden World: The Natural Year

…qualified in the last portion of the INTRODUCTION:🌱 ‘…This book is personal, selective, and based on my own particular interests rather than trying to be a reference book of any kind.I have used the calendar months because these fit in with the rhythm of my gardening year ~ I always begin each January with a sense of hope and optimism because the garden is starting to wake up after the slow descent down to the end of the year. Some creatures are present in his book on a number of occasions, whilst others fail to appear at all, although they might be the stars of somebody else’s garden.But that is the point. All our gardens, streets and patches of sky are part of our own perception of the world. We are all individually enlarged by our connection to them. If, in our own modest back yards, we can help preserve and treasure our natural world, then we will make this planet a better place ~ not just for ourselves but for every living creature.’By definition, it is fair to say that there are sensitive areas that may not be to everyone’s taste, but for the best part it makes for informative, descriptive reading, IMO.The current 'LOOK INSIDE' facility above gives an idea of the content.From the dust-jacket front flap:🍃 ‘From a very early age I loved the countryside as much as any garden and was fascinated by the life that I saw all around me from trees, wildflowers, birds, insects and mammals. In a sense this book has been over sixty years in gestation. I have kept notebooks and journals ever since I could write and I have drawn upon these as well as recent events.’ooOooMeasuring around 15.5 cm x 23.75 cm, it is a narrower format than I was expecting but it is a handy size to curl up in an armchair with to read Monty's observations on all sorts of things, often quite similar to my own feelings, e.g. 'Daddy Longlegs', on page 298!The chunky dark orange hardboard cover with colourful dust-jacket opens to 422 matte finish pages, split over the months of the year within the 4 seasons (image below refers).Dedicated to ‘Nigel, 2008-2020’, it pensively follows with the opening lines of ‘Afterwards’, by Thomas Hardy.The text is a good size throughout, and the publication is printed & bound in Great Britain by 'Two Roads'.Divided into sections, each one headed by the main subject of the piece, I really like the style of writing that is often nostalgic.A handful of full colour plates are included in small batches, including the very last one of that special one the book is dedicated to, succeeding in bringing a tear to the eye of many a reader, I think, as potentially will the closing chapter😢 coming just before the short but sweet ½ page of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.The book finishes with an alphabetical INDEX, pages 407 ~ 421 (image below refers).[8 images attached © Monty Don & TWO ROADS/2020]

Really easy to follow and read , great ideas always love Monty …!

A very good read, my wife loves it.

Interesting read on a year with Monty and what he see in his garden and farm. Poor old Nigel will be missed

I haven't enjoyed a book so much for a long time. I'm an avid watcher of Garden's World and while I like gardening, I know little about it which is why this book was ideal - I know perhaps I should read a boo about gardening. However getting back to this tome, it is both entertaining and funny in places and very informative, so if you want to know your woodcock from your pheasant or your willow from your crack willow, then I highly recommend it..Monty has sectioned the book into the four seasons with a month by month observations of what he may or may not have been seen in the garden and up at the farm. There are also some lovely pictures of the garden and the farm as well as Nigel including the last one ever taken.Treat yourself for Christmas, you won't regret it.

Hubby loves it!

Pre-review note: There are many complaints of "aninal cruelty" and Monty's views on Fox Hunting. Monty never wrotes that he is for the hunting of any animal (and in fact often states otherwise), but simply tries to explaon that the situation of conservation is more complicated than a yes or no answer.I read this book as soon as it came out after reading an excellent extract of it in @gardenersworldmag . It did not fail to live up to the hype. The book is presented almost as a yearly diary annotating the events and interactions with wildlife - both flaura and fauna. Although the book was predominantly written through the lockdowns of 2020, "the Don" (as I like to refer to him. Usually after the words "Praise Mon le") also recalls on his many noteworthy past experiences with the wild. The book is insightful, personal, educational, amusing, inspiring, entertaining (is that enough adjectectives?) and, most importantly, needed.I recommend this book to all. Connections with our natural world need building and quickly. For our own mental health as much as any of the other plentiful, perhaps more obvious reasons.

I have been a veggie for 47 years and opposed to cruelty. Monty does Not endorse cruelty of any kind but offers a alternative view which you may or may not agree with. This book exudes his passion for nature and wildlife and written in a way that sows seeds for you to explore more. Interesting info on a wide range of topics which I found truly fascinating. Just listening to the audio version as I watch the sun disappear and listen to the birds settle for the night. Bliss. I have the book to refer to and audio for ease of listening whilst walking the dogs. I really do recommend. It is balanced and honest. Love it

I’ve recently become obsessed with Gardner’s World and came across this book while scrolling. I bought the book used and it arrived in pristine condition. This isn’t your typical gardening book as in it’s not a “how to” type of publication. More like a year in the life of his garden and the observations he has. Found it really intriguing!

Wonderful book!!!!!!

One of my favourite books - great for dipping into.

Perfecto

Although this book was written by Monty Don, a great TV garden presenter, I was not impressed with the content of this book. Would not recommend it for helpful gardening information.