The Pursuit Of Paradise

A Social History of Gardens and Gardening

Full of fascinating characters and vignettes, from ancient Greeks to suffragettes, from eccentric military men to Catholics in hiding from persecution, this book looks into how society's changes have altered our views of gardening, who does it, and how we do it. What drives people to risk their lives in search of a rare Himalayan flower? Why are so many gardeners homosexual? How did gardening become a respectable career for women? When did looking at other people's gardens become a national British pastime?

Using particular gardens to lead into themes like power, refuge, female emancipation, distribution of wealth and fashion, it presents a history of Britain through its most popular national pursuit.